( 



415 



) 



DISSERTATION IX. 



On the Origin of the French Evil. 



IN the prefent Diflertation we have not only to difpute 

 with M. de Paw, but alfo with almoft all Europeans, 

 who are generally perfuaded that the French evil had its 

 origin in America ; for fome nations of Europe having 

 reciprocally accufed each other of propagating this op- 

 probrious diftemper, at la.1T: agreed to charge it upon the 

 new world. We fliould certainly deferve to be taxed 

 with raflinefs in combating fo univerfal an opinion, if 

 the arguments which we are to offer, and the example 

 of two modern Europeans, did not render our attempt 

 pardonable As among the fupporters of the com- 



mon opinion, the principal, the mod renowned, and he 

 who has written mofl copioufly and learnedly upon the 

 fubjecT, is Mr. Aftruc, a learned French phyfician, he 

 will necdfarily be principally oppofed by us, for which 

 purpofe we fhall make ufe of thofe very materials which 

 his work prefents to us (b). 



SECT. 



(a^ Thefe two authors are William Becket, a Surgeon of London, and An- 

 tonio Ribero Sanchez. Becket wrote three Difiertatinns, which were inferted 

 in vol. xxx. and xxxi. of the Philofophical Tranfa&ions, to prove, that the 

 French evil was known in England as far back as the fourteenth century. Ri- 

 bero wrote a Diflertation, which was printed in Paris, with this title, Differ- 

 tation fur V Origin de la Maladie Venerienne^dans la quelle oh prouve quell n a point ete 

 portee deV Amerique. Having read the title of this Diflertation in the Catalogue 

 of Spanilh books and manufcripts, prefixed to Dr. Robertfon's Hiftory of Ameri- 

 ca, we fought for it in Rome, in Genoa, and Venice, but without fuccefs. 

 « [b) De Morbi* Vcnereis, vol. ii. Venice Edition. 



