366 November 1748. 



places. All the old Swedes, Englifhmen, 

 Germans, &c. unanimoufly afferted, that 

 the fever had never been fo violent, and of 

 fuch continuance when they were boys, as 

 it is at prefent. They were likewife ge- 

 nerally of opinion, that about the year 

 1680, there were not fo many people af- 

 flicted with it, as about this time. How- 

 ever others equally old, were of opinion 

 that the fever was proportionably as com- 

 mon formerly, as it is at prefent ; but that 

 it could not at that time be fo fenfibly per- 

 ceived, on account of the fcarcity of inha- 

 bitants, and the great diftance of their fet- 

 tlements from each other ; it is therefore 

 probable that the effects of the fever have 

 at all times been equal. 



It would be difficult to determine the 

 true caufes of this difeafe ; they feem to be 

 numerous, and not always alike : fome- 

 times, and I believe commonly feveral of 

 them unite. I have taken all poffible care 

 to found the opinions of the phyficians here 

 on that head, and I here offer them to the 

 reader. 



Some of them think that the peculi- 

 ar qualities of the air of this country caufe 

 this fever; but mod of them affert that 

 it is generated by the Handing and putrid 

 water, which it feems is confirmed by ex- 

 perience. 



