198 EFFECTS OF WEATHER CHAP. 5. 2. 



by pathologists in the animal system when 

 disordered ? 



This subject might possibly admit of further 

 illustration, from regular tables of the times of 

 the phaenomena, both of Plants and Animals, 

 and of collateral journals of the electrical 

 changes of the air, noticed by means of the 

 Atmospherical Electroscopes, and of M. De 

 Luc's Column. 



There are many other facts, which it would 

 be useless to detail, that illustrate the pro- 

 position, that there are other peculiarities of 

 atmosphere, besides heat, cold, damp, &c. which 

 affect the functions of organized bodies.* 



* It cannot, I think, be considered, that atmospheric 

 peculiarities alone produce epidemic and other complaints, 

 which must be regarded as having a compound origin, and as 

 resulting from the operation of peculiar states of atmosphere 

 on persons of particular states of constitution ; otherwise, all 

 persons would be affected, which is contrary to experience. 

 There are, probably, innumerable varieties of temperament, 

 of general habits of life, and of preexisting diseases, which, 

 in different subjects, vary the effects of the air. And many 

 persons, perhaps, enjoy a state of health, and perfect action, 

 which may be capable of resisting its evil influence altogether. 

 It would, perhaps, be productive of useful results, if physicians 

 of extensive practice would make accurate meteorological 

 registers, during the prevalence of any epidemic or contagious 



