36 CLINTON'S 



bany ; arid it is only rivalled by the Newtown pippin, whose excellence 

 is ; iso, probably, of local origin and which reminds as of the malum 

 ai'ivum of the aiicients. We ought, ako, to be particularly attentive 

 to the introduction and naturalization of the best foreign fruits ; and 

 the importance of this will be duly appreciated when we consider the 

 origin of those which are now most esteemed. The cherry and filbert 

 are from Pontus ; the apricot from Epire : the- peach from Persia : the 

 citron from Media ; the pomegranite from Carthage ; the quince from 

 Cathonea ; the plum from Damascus ; the best pears from Alexandria ; 

 and the olive and fig from Greece.(36) 



It would certainly not become me to point out the desiderata in med- 

 ical knowledge. This country was never blessed with a more splendid 

 list of medical names, than those which now occupy the walks of this 

 profession; but I will surely be indulged in soliciting their attention to 

 two subjects intimately connected with the public health, and the happi- 

 ness of thousands. 



The consumption is the most destructive disease in the northern 

 states. One ninth of the deaths in New-Haven are occasioned by it. 

 According to the bills of mortality of 1813, out of seven hundred and 

 eighty-six deaths in Boston, one hundred and ninety-three were caused 

 by the consumption; out of two thousand two hundred and ninety-one 

 deaths in Philadelphia, two hundred and sixteen ; and out of two thou- 

 sand two hundred and ninety-nine deaths in New-York, five hundred and 

 sixty-two. Is there no way of preventing or curing this disease? must 

 those labouring under pulmonary complaints be invariably driven to 

 southern climes for relief? the physician who discovers an effica- 

 cious remedy for this terrible malady will have his name enrolled 

 among the benefactors of the human race : it now exists the opprobrium 

 iriedicorum; and sweeps into the grave, with unsparing fury, genius 

 youth, and beauty; all that can adorn, embellish, and illuminate 

 society. (37) 



Who does not recollect the terror and mortality which invariably ac- 

 company that horrible pestilence denominated the yellow fever ? Under 

 its iron reign we see persons fleeing from their homes in all directions, 

 the insignia of death in every street, and the grave continually open to 

 receive its miserable victims. 



In this awful hour, 



" Mussabat tacito medicina timore." 



" In silence dread, 



Appali'd and doubtful, mused the healing art.' 



LUCRETIUS. 



And yet what clouds and darkness rest over the origin, nature, and 

 cure of this pestilence. Whether it comes to us from abroad, or origi- 



