SWEATING SICKNESS. 695 



miasma, that is, a poison which originates without the body, and 

 which is not reproduced within it. 



Regarding the geographical range of sudor anglicus, and the influ- 

 ence of the seasons, and other causative agents upon its epidemic oc- 

 currence, Sirsch, who has made it the subject of a most thorough 

 historical, geographical, as well as pathological study, speaks as fol- 

 lows : " But few diseases have so limited a geographical range. Its 

 home is in France, southwest Germany, and Italy, while in the Neth- 

 erlands, middle and northern Germany, and latterly in Spain, it has 

 only been met with in occasional epidemics. In other parts of Europe, 

 and the continents of either hemisphere, it is quite unknown." Of the 

 recorded epidemics, five-sixths broke out in the spring or summer. 

 In autumn they were rare, in winter somewhat more frequent, but 

 never very extensive. The appearance of sudor anglicus does not 

 seem to depend upon any particular atmospheric conditions, and arises 

 as often in mild spring weather as during hot summer. Most fre- 

 quently epidemics broke out during weather characterized by a 

 moderate temperature and remarkably moist atmosphere. Swampy 

 ground seemed less favorable to its development than a dry, sterile 

 soil. In contrast with many other infectious disorders, sudor anglicus 

 is less frequently seen in large, densely-populated cities, than in small 

 rural communities, country market-towns, and other similar localities. 

 Of the older physicians, Lancisi, and more recently Schorilein, accuse 

 the water in which hemp has been steeped, of favoring the develop- 

 ment of the sweating-sickness. 



With regard to the conditions in life which, during an epidemic of 

 this disorder, have been found to predispose to it, it has everywhere 

 been observed that vigorous persons of middle age are peculiarly 

 liable to be attacked, and that women, especially those who are preg- 

 nant, or in child-bed, or suckling their children, are more prone to it 

 than men are. In other respects the mode of life seems to have no 

 effect upon the predisposition to the sweating fever. The poor, who 

 usually afford the greatest number of victims to epidemics, do not 

 suffer from sudor anglicus more than the rich. 



ANATOMICAL APPEABANCES. Nearly all authorities speak of the 

 early appearance and rapid progress of putrefaction of the corpse. 

 There are no fibrinous clots in the blood, which is thin and dark of 

 color. The cerebral veins and sinuses are full of blood, and the serum 

 in the ventricles is sometimes increased in quantity. The mucous 

 membrane of the air-passages appears reddened. Somewhat rarely 

 pneumonic infiltration is found in the lungs. The assertion that vesi- 

 cles similar to those of the skin are found upon the mucous membrane 

 of the intestine as yet lacks confirmation. The rpleen is swollen and 

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