produced by the Use of Spirituous Liquors . 171 
ces-verbaly and not having been communicated by profes- 
sional men, they do not inspire the same confidence. 
This collection of instances is supported, therefore, by 
all those authentic proofs which can be required to form 
human testimony ; for, while we admit the prudent doubt 
of Descartes, we ought to reject the universal doubt of 
the Pyrrhonists. The multiplicity and uniformity even 
of these facts, which occurred in different places, and 
were attested by so many enlightened men, carry with 
them conviction ; they have such a relation to each other, 
that we are inclined to ascribe them to the same cause. 
1. The persons who experienced the effects of this 
combustion had for a long time made an immoderate use 
of spirituous liquors. 
2. The combustion took place only in women. 
3. These women were far advanced in life. 
4. Their bodies did not take fire spontaneously, but 
were burnt by accident. 
5. The extremities, such as the feet and the hands, 
were generally spared by the fire. 
6. Water sometimes, instead of extinguishing the 
flames which proceeded from the parts on fire, gave them 
more activity. 
7 . The fire did very little damage, and often even 
! spared the combustible objects which were in contact 
with the human body at the moment when it was burn- 
ing. 
8. The combustion of these bodies left as a residuum 
fat foetid ashes, with an unctuous, stinking, and very pe- 
ll ne (rating soot. 
Let us now enter into an examination of these eight 
general observations. 
The first idea which bccurs on reading the numerous 
instances of human combustion above related is, that 
those who fell victims to those fatal accidents were ah 
