101 
SECTION FOR SOCIOLOGY AND STATISTICS. 
April 9tb, 1661. 
Mr. Arthur Ransome, M.A., M.B. Cantab., M.R.C.S., 
read a Paper “ On Atmospheric Pressure and the Direction of 
the Wind, in Relation to Disease, especially Hoemorrhages 
and Neuralgias.” 
After noticing the important physiological effects of atmo- 
spheric pressure upon the human body, and the influence of 
changes in the degree of pressure observed by aeronauts and 
mountaineers, and by others, as Vierordt, Lehmann, Junod, 
Macleod, from special experiments, the Paper next treated of 
the effects upon disease of the ordinary fluctuations of atmo- 
spheric pressure, as shown by the barometer. Statements 
made by Dr. Moffat and others upon the subject were quoted, 
and from these it appeared that important effects were pro- 
duced by these fluctuations upon such diseases as apoplexy, 
menorrhagia, abortions, and neuralgias. 
Charts were exhibited which contained records of 286 cases 
of hoemorrhage, 52 of abortion, 1/9 of apoplexy, and 697 ol 
neuralgic affections. These had been gathered from medico- 
meteorological tables, published in the “ Medical Association 
Journal,” for the years 1853, 1854, 1855. 
The degrees of barometric pressure, on the days and at the 
several places where the cases occurred, had also beeu recorded, 
and reduced to the level of the sea, and a comparison between 
the two series was obtained by means of curves. It was thus 
found that of 
Cases occurred below 
Cases occurred at, or 
mean pressure. 
above, mean pressnre, 
Hoemorrhage 
120 
Abortion .... 
Apoplexy .... 
86 
Neuralgic Affections 242 
