638 
RECIPROCAL INFLUENCE OF ANIMALS. 
This maladie du coit” was not known before 1796, when 
Ammon observed it in North Prussia. It was believed, how¬ 
ever, to have been previously known in Russia, and Renner, 
who thought it originated in that country, witnessed its 
effects in the Imperial stud ; it prevails with most violence 
in Southern Russia. Since its first appearance it has spread 
to various parts of Prussia (though its ravages lately have 
been promptly checked by legitimate measures), Hanover, 
Bohemia, Hungary, Pomerania, Silesia, Styria, Switzerland, 
Wurtemburg, and France, sometimes showing itself in an 
epizootic form. It has appeared in Algeria since the French 
occupation of that country, and the Arabs, who designate it 
‘‘El Dourine,” maintain that it was introduced by their inva¬ 
ders. So mysterious has been the advent of this contagion, 
that one feels inclined to inquire if it be not one of those 
inflictions due to the commingling of races. As profound a 
mystery involves the origin of syphilis in the human species. 
It can be traced no further back than the end of the fifteenth 
century, and has generally been ascribed to contact with the 
natives of America. Strange to say, however, the evil is not 
known among the primitive tribes who have not been visited 
by the civilization and infection carriers of the Old World. 
Bollaert, whose long and intimate acquaintance with the 
indigenes of the South American continent constitutes him a 
trustworthy authority, writes: “ Much has been written on 
the subject of syphilis having been brought originally from 
America. I believe that those Indians only who have been 
in contact with Europeans have contracted it from them, and 
that those Indians who live in their wilds are entirely free 
from any such disease. I fear that this scourge, introduced 
by Europeans, is thinning off the people of Polynesia; and 
from my own explorations among the Indians of Tierra del 
Fuego, the disease has been communicated by sealers and 
whalers, who had been known to take away squaws for a 
time.” * 
These facts, concerning the results of observations on man 
and animals, may be worth some consideration when attempt¬ 
ing to solve the genesis of various diseases whose presence 
cannot be otherwise accounted for. As intercourse is main¬ 
tained and extended, and as different races of men and 
animals are brought into closer contact through the increased 
facilities offered by modern civilization, so does it ap])ear that 
diseases become multiplied in number, and offer greater diver¬ 
sity of character. Seeing the great obscurity that veils the 
commencement of these, and never for a moment doubting 
* ‘Memoirs Anthropological Society of London,’ vol. i, p. 100. 
