38 Proceedings of Societies. [Jan. 



Meteorological Register, kept at Penang, for tlie months of August, September, 

 and October, 1831, whereby it appears that in those three months, the 

 quantity of rain which fell on the hill was 35.25 inches ; while in the valley, at 

 North Beach, the quantity of rain, in the same period, was 25.92 inches. The 

 Thermometer was, on ah average, nearly eight degrees lower on the hill than in 

 the valley. — 5th. Two Tables, presented by the Medical Board of Bengal, shew- 

 ing the number of sick and rate of mortality in the European and native Troops 

 at the Madras Presidency, for several years. — 6th. Observations on the contagi- 

 ous nature of Cholera, by James Hutchinson, Esq. — 7th. Medical Report on the 

 diseases at Penang, for three months, ending September, 1830, with copy of cases, 

 by Mr. J. C. Boswell, Assistant Surgeon at Penang. — 8th. Case of Elephan- 

 tiasis of the Scrotum, with a drawing, by Dr. J. N. Casanova. — 9th. An Essay on 

 the peculiarities of the fcetal circulation,, printed in the Oordoo language, by J. 

 Tytler, Esq. — 10th. A letter from Dr. Gregory Vos, of Calcutta, offering to the 

 Society an analysis of authenticated facts relative to the contagious nature of 

 Cholera. 



Dr. Mouat's observations on the prevalance of Hepatitis at Bangalore were then 

 read, and discussed by the Meeting. _ A detail of Meteorological Observations, 

 made at Bangalore, is prefixed to this Essay, shewing, thatj for a considerable pe- 

 riod of the year, the morning temperature in a cool room is from sixty-two to 

 seventy-four degrees of Fahrenheit, while there is often a bright sun at noon, and 

 frequent variations of temperature from the refreshing showers of two monsoons. 

 The climates of Bangalore, altogether, is described as excellent, conducive to rapid 

 convalescence after acute diseases, not liable to cause a tendency to pulmonary com- 

 plaints ; and for the greater part of the year agreeable to the feelings of Europeans 

 —inviting them to use active habits, often inducing them to expose themselves 

 much in the sun. The station of Bangalore, in the province of Mysore, between 

 the eastern and western ghats, is described as a barren table land, at an elevation 

 of nearly three hundred feet above the level of the sea ; and surrounded by luxuriant 

 vallies at a little distance. The prevailing diseases in the Regiment of European 

 Dragoons, above six hundred strong, stationed at Bangalore, are stated to be Fever, 

 Dysentery, Hepatitis, and Rheumatism. The causes of Hepatitis among Europeans 

 are considered to be stimulant food and drink, active exertions, and exposure to 

 the diurnal vicissitudes of temperature, &c. 



Dr. Mouat concludes with observing, that Medical writers of repute have con- 

 sidered Hepatic diseases asendemial to certain parts of the Madras territories ; and 

 others, particularly Dr. James Johnson, who is supported by Dr. Annesley, sup- 

 poses its frequency to be attributable to the nature of the soil and seasons, causing 

 the high medium annual average temperature which prevails in the Indian peninsula. 



Dr. Annesley, besides enumerating a great variety of exciting causes, agrees 

 with the views of Dr. Johnson, and says, the greater prevalence of Hepatitis and 

 Dysentery amongst the European troops, on the Madras than the Bengal Presiden- 

 cy, seems in some degree to be owing to the greater warmth of the climate. 



Dr. Mouat says, therefore, Europeans residing at Bangalore may be looked upon 

 as peculiarly subject to Hepatitis ; nor can this be accounted for, on consideration 

 of the high prevailing temperature, since the medium range of the Thermometer, 

 as extracted from the records of the corps, would give but an annual average of 

 seventy-four degrees of Fahrenheit, for several years past. Dr. Mouat is therefore 

 of opinion, that the causes assigned by Dr. Johnson and Mr. Annesley for the pre- 



