OF ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES UPON DISEASE. 185 



Thus far has our investigation carried us. We already 

 trace, though often but faintly, the influence of the few 

 meteorological elements which we have studied. Taken 

 in connection with large numbers of cases of disease, 

 although a clearly defined and exact accordance cannot be 

 found, still we perceive a certain general relation existing 

 between them, and enough may perhaps have been done to 

 prove the value of such an inquiry. The returns for 

 several of the weeks, especially those ending August 2 2wc? 

 and 2C)th, 1857, ^'^^ March 6th, 1858, are very im- 

 perfect; but after careful examination we do not find 

 that these deficiencies aifect the conclusions at which we 

 have arrived. In each instance, when appreciable, the 

 probable amount of error arising from this source had 

 been marked in pencil upon the chart. 



Before closing this paper we must state that it seems 

 very desirable that many other branches of meteorological 

 research should be included in the inquiry, and compared 

 with disease ; among these may be mentioned winds, elec- 

 tricity of the atmosphere, rain, microscopical and chemical 

 analyses of the atmosphere. Under the last-named head 

 regular series of observations, made at various stations 

 with the sepometer of Dr. R. A. Smith, F.R.S., would be 

 of very great importance. 



SER. III. VOL. I. B B 



