Ch. xiii. precedingView of Society. 525 



regular, and its ravages among children, particu- 

 larly among those of the lower class, are consi- 

 derable, it necessarily follows that these circum- 

 stances, in a greater degree than usual, must always 

 precede and accompany its appearance ; that is, 

 from the time of its last visit, the average number 

 of children will be increasing, the people will, in 

 consequence, be growing poorer, and the houses 

 will be more crowded till another visit removes 

 this superabundant population. 



In all these cases, how little soever force we 

 may be disposed to attribute to the effects of the 

 principle of population in the actual production of 

 disorders, we cannot avoid allowing their force 

 as predisposing causes to the reception of conta- 

 gion, and as giving very great additional force to 

 the extensiveness and fatality of its ravages. 



It is observed by Dr. Short that a severe mortal 

 epidemic is generally succeeded by an uncommon 

 healthiness, from the late distemper having car- 

 ried off most of the declining and worn out con- 

 stitutions.* It is probable, also, that another cause 

 of it may be the greater plenty of room and food, 

 and the consequently meliorated condition of the 

 lower classes of the people. Sometimes, according 

 to Dr. Short, a very fruitful year is followed by a 

 very mortal and sickly one, and mortal ones often 

 succeeded by very fruitful, as if Nature sought 

 either to prevent or quickly repair the loss by 



* Hist, of Air, Seasons, &c. vol. ii. p. 3i4. 



