THOMAS CHAPLIN^ ESQ.^ M.T>., 0^f DISEASES IN THE BIBLE. 255' 



floating icG or icebergs is extremely improbable. If so, no otber 

 explanation is left than tlie supposition of a former nplift of the 

 sea bottom." It will be observed that the amount of the uplift, 

 as well as the special epocJi referred to, closely coincide with those 

 which have been determined in my essays read before the Institute^ 

 namely, 7,200 feet of uplift at the commencement of the glacial 

 epoch. The great uplift and the glacial epoch are, as it appears 

 to me, contemporaneous, and clearly stand in the relation of cause- 

 and effect. 



The following paper, by Thomas Chaplin, M.D., on " Some Diseases 

 mentioned in the Bible," was then read by the Secretary in the absence of 

 the author : — 



ON SOME DISEASES MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. 



By Thomas Chaplin, Esq., M.D. 



THE diseases mentioned in the Bible, especially tliosy 

 of the Old Testament, form a study of much diffi- 

 culty. In some instances only the name of the disease is- 

 given, and the precise meaning of the term has to be inferred 

 from its etymology, its rendering in early translations of the 

 Scriptures, or the traditional interpretation of it handed 

 down by the Jews. In other cases only certain local affec- 

 tions or symptoms are mentioned, which may or may not be 

 sufficient to determine the nature of the disorder. Thus we 

 are told that King Asa " in the time of his old age was- 

 diseased in his feet," but there is nothing to show what was^ 

 the character of the disease ; whilst the account in 

 2 Kings iv., 18-20 of the death of the Shunammite's child 

 leaves little room for doubt that the cause of death v/as 

 either sunstroke or inflammation of the membranes of tho 

 brain from exposure to the sun in the harvest field. Such 

 cases are of frequent occurrence in that country at the 

 present day. A further difficulty arises from the fact that, 

 in early Biblical times, even the wise and learned did nofcyefc 

 know how to describe diseases with perspicuity and accuracy^ 

 Medicine as a science Avas not yet born. It is partly owing 



