APPENDIX B. 
NOTES ON THE COMPARATIVE IMMUNITY OF THE JEWISH NATION 
FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES. * 
The interesting nature of this question, upon which conflict- 
ing opinions are being publicly expressed, will plead an excuse 
for the insertion of the following remarks, from the pen of 
one specially competent to deal therewith. 
The Jews certainly do enjoy immunity from the ravages of 
cholera, fever, and small-pox in a remarkable degree. Their blood 
seems to be in different condition from that of other people. 
The public papers reported that there was not one case of death 
among the Jews from cholera in Naples during the last visitation, 
though many thousands of the natives died. The average life of 
Jews is also of greater duration than that of most other classes,— 
this although they suffer much privation, and for the most part 
live in unwholesome localities, and are obliged to work at dis- 
agreeable and even injurious employment. ‘They seem less receptive 
of disease caused by blood poisoning than others. 
The Mosaic laws as to diet and cleanliness have been strictly 
observed by them during many hundred generations, and must have 
materially benefited their constitution. 
As to diet,—the laws against offering in sacrifice any maimed oy 
injured animal, or one out of condition, have led to abstinence from 
all animal food which is injured or diseased. Careful inspection of 
animals is practised by competent persons after slaughter, and this 
bars the possibility of contamination and transmission of disease 
through animal food. The prohibition to eat of blood has ever 
been most strictly obeyed. All trace of blood is cleansed ont of 
(what has been officially passed as pure and wholesome) meat before 
cooking,—so that this source of disease is also stopped. Hence the 
Jewish constitution can and does resist infection. The sobriety 
and temperance of their habits also strengthen their resisting 
power. 
* Contributed to the Journal. 
