THE EPIDEMIC OF 1836. 
139 
action at an early period, by bleeding, &c. the inflammation 
commonly subsides; but in this disease, if we attempt such prac- 
tice, the greatest danger is left behind : our patients require the 
use of active stimuli to keep up the action of the vascular organs. 
I have witnessed two cases where there was a diminution, 
rather than an increased action at the commencement of the dis- 
ease ; a kind of torpor seemed to pervade the whole system ; and 
from first to last there was no re-action. In these cases, I believe 
the blood to be considerably vitiated previous to the attack. I 
tried every possible means to rouse the vital powers : for the pulse 
sunk as low as 26 beats in the minute. On dissection, I found 
in both instances the heart and its parietes softer than usual, and 
completely gorged with black saltless blood. It was a portion 
of this blood that I first submitted to the test of chemical expe- 
riment. 
There appeared some little difference of opinion at the meeting 
of the Association respecting the different membranes that were 
affected. Without doubt, all of them are diseased : the blood 
is the pabulum of the solids ; and when the whole of their nu- 
tritive fluid is deranged, there must be functional disease in every 
part of the system. Having written thus much respecting the 
nature and treatment of this disease, I will offer a few remarks re- 
specting the origin of the epidemy — the to taoyof antiquity. Mr. 
Sewell attributed it to some subtle effluvia from the bowels of the 
earth, produced by volcanic eruptions, &c. Whether Mr. S. is right 
in his opinions or not, none of us can determine ; but thus much 
we know, that it is in vain we search for its origin amidst those 
elements which pathologists have made subservient to the gene- 
ration of disease, such as ill-ventilated stables, changes of 
weather, excess of moisture, and so on ; for l have witnessed its 
attacks under almost every variety of weather, and in every 
variety of situation and manner of living. I think that a great 
deal might be said in favour of a volcanic origin. There may 
be conditions in which it is necessary for the volcanic agency to 
be developed in an unusual degree in order to serve the general 
purposes of creation ; and that this has been the case within the 
last few years, I think there cannot be a doubt; and particularly 
in the years 1832, 1833, and 1834, as proved by those meteors 
which have been such extraordinary objects of interest during 
these years, and which were very likely to have arisen in conse- 
quence of the increased action of the interior of the earth, as 
developed by earthquakes and volcanic emanations. 
With respect to the matter itself that is diffused through the 
atmosphere, I believe it to be as various at different times as the 
character of the epidemic to which it gives origin. Analysis 
