'JO History of Animal Plagues. 



world was afflicted with a cloudy corrupt air^ which occasioned 

 a most universal cough and catarrh fatal to many/ ^ 



A.D. 1176. There was a great inundation of the sea in Hol- 

 land, and in Lincolnshire, which drowned much cattle and 

 many people. A storm of blood-rain fell over the Isle of Wight 

 for two hours.- 



A.D. 1 1 78. A blood shower in England. A comet was 

 seen ; and the next day, on the west, a few hours after, a shower 

 of great hail killed men, sheep, and goats.^ ^ To the 5th July, 

 ^78, the weather was moderate. Rains then came on until 

 January, which prevented agricultural operations. In September 

 there was an eclipse. In the following spring very hard weather. 

 Forage was excessively dear, and, as a consequence, there was 

 very great loss among sheep and cattle.'* 



A.D. 1 187. Great floods and inundations in Britain.'^ There 

 was a grievous and pestilent mortality of men and cattle in 

 England.*^ An unusual conjunction of planets in Libra, and the 

 people being then addicted to astrology, got frightened, and a 

 fast was ordered by the Archbishop of Canterburv.'' 



A.D. 1188. In England, 'there was a dreadful tempest of 

 wind, rain, thunder and lightning, and hail fell in masses as 

 large as pigeons' eggs. The sea overflowed its banks to a great 

 height, and killed much people and cattle.-' * 



A.D. 1200. 'About this time (in Portugal, from 1185 to 

 121 1) a disease never before seen sprang up. The viscera of 

 mankind were disturbed as if by some raging heat, which caused 

 raving as if of madness. A famine arose from the destruction of 

 corn by tempests and vermin, and a plague not less destructive 

 to cattle than to man appeared, so that the stables of many were 

 left empty.' ^ 



A.D. 1201. In England 'the spring had glutting and con- 



1 T. Short. Op. cit., vol. i. p. 125. Chronogr. Saxo. p. 310. Ymagines. Hist. 

 Twysden. P. 579. 



-Speed. History of the Isle of Wight. ^ T. Short. Op. cit., p. 126. 



* Ansclm. Gemblac. Chronic. Pistor. Scrip., vol. i, p. 9S6. 



* Chronic. SaXon. 6 Benedict Abbas. 

 '' Forster. Atmospherical Origin of Disease, p. 147. 



* T. Short. Op. cit , p. 129. 



'■• De Vera Reg. Portugal. Hispania Illustrata, vol. ii. p. 1257. 



