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recent inquiries render it doubtful whether this “ inoculation ” really is 
protective against epizootic charbon. They further point to the period of 
“ protection ” being restricted to eight months. Inasmuch, therefore, as the 
disease in question only prevails naturally during the months of April to 
October, any “ protection ” that is to be looked for appears to have reference 
only to that period in one year. On the subject of “ germs ’’ it is stated by 
an eminent authority, a copy of remarks by whom I hold in my hand, that 
the “ germ theory ” is, in itself, insufficient to account for the phenomena of 
diseases assigned to it, that “ poisons ” are secreted by the body itself in 
disease, that they are formed from within, not without the body. In refe- 
rence to the same theory, the medical journal now in my hand raises a note 
of warning against its too ready acceptance. Having epitomised the argu- 
ments for and against this theory, it concludes thus: — “We are either on 
the threshold of a most important discovery, or we are being entangled in 
the meshes of a gigantic delusion.” Time will not permit of my replying 
to other remarks that have been made upon my paper. 
The meeting was then adjourned. 
REMARKS UPON SURGEON-GENERAL GORDON’S PAPER. 
Surgeon-Major Smith, 1st G.E.V., writes : — 
Bristol, March 17, 1882. 
In the main, I agree with Surgeon-General Gordon’s well-expressed views 
of the relation of climate to organic nature; nor can the importance of the 
subject-matter of his paper be over-estimated, not only as to the physical 
effect of climate upon man, but as to its mental and moral effects also. 
As to the physical effects, we know that the Giver of all Good has fitted 
the back for the burden, and that “ use is second nature” (after vice), and 
although we know well that Nature’s laws cannot be violated with impunity, 
yet, now and then, she condones the offence and adjusts the matter by the 
law of accommodation; e.g., the “native” inhabitant lives and thrives upon 
a diet, and under circumstances connected with his climate, which, to a 
stranger placed under the same conditions, means, in many instances, speedy 
and inevitable death. Yet, if the stranger survives, marries, and begets 
children, the children born upon the soil suffer less than the father did from 
climatic causes ; their children, again, still less than their fathers, until, at 
length, succeeding generations enjoy the privileges and immunity of the 
children of the soil, Nature having, in fact, accommodated her offspring to 
altered states by a gradual process of acclimatisation. 
As to the mental and moral effects of climate upon man, I believe it 
has passed into a truism that the passions of men and women living in hot 
climates are more easily excited and less readily allayed than those of the 
inhabitants of colder regions ; that life is held at a cheaper rate ; and that, 
often, immediate recourse — upon comparatively slight irritation — to lethal 
weapons in hot countries, is the rule rather than the exception, cannot be 
denied. 
May not this be due to the cumulative influence of solar heat, producing 
a latent irritability of the brain and nervous system, which manifests itself 
on the occasions referred to with sudden, unexpected, and uncontrollable 
explosive force ? 
F 2 
