Epidemics. 151 



time, between one and another, so as to lead to an inference 

 of cause and effect. 



For instance, the year 1755, taken altogether, was as 

 memorable a year as any in modern times for earthquakes. 

 It began with Quito, in South America, and ended with the 

 famous one of Lisbon ; but this and the following year are 

 not remarkable for any epidemic disease, nor the two years 

 preceding the year 1755. 



But Asia Minor was visited with very severe epidemic 

 disease in 1760, which proved remarkably fatal. This 

 country was, so far as is known, totally unaffected by the 

 earthquake of 1755, which extended in a line from the north of 

 Ireland to Morocco, Lisbon being the focus of its explosive 

 powers. 



In Mexico, in 1759, a mountain was raised by lava running 

 from a volcano, but its distance from Syria, and all inter- 

 mediate parts, presenting nothing peculiar in relation to 

 epidemics, would lead to the general inference that the 

 opening of this flue, to let the expansive force of heat have 

 due vent, had nothing to do with the plague in Syria in 

 1760. 



For the last hundred years and more, Chili has been a 

 repository of earthquakes, and coast elevations have been 

 considerable through their accompanying elevating force. 

 In Concepcion is to be found a very focus of this oft- 

 recurring force ; yet in these regions yellow fever and 

 cholera have neither been more severe, nor have they visited 

 these regions and localities, nor yet any other epidemics, 

 more frequently, or in greater intensity, than other parts of 

 the North and South American Continents. 



The history of ancient and modern times gives no better 

 coincidence between epidemics, volcanoes, and earthquakes, 

 than those incidentally given as a sample in the foregoing 

 remarks. And identity of time, in relation to succession of 



