An Inquiry Into the Cause of the Pestilence in Three Parts; With an Appendix Containing Some Facts Taken from History, the Works of Physician & C. Re

by Alexander Bruce

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1759 ... INQUIRY Into the Cause of thes PESTILENCE. Part I. MANKIND have beheld, with astonishment, the effects of these mortal distempers, the Pestilence or putrid Fever, the Dysentery and black Scurvy, which, in every age, have greatly asflicted the world. These evils are imputed to many accidental causes, and a variety of notions prevail concerning yet, although. A men men are apt to yield implicit reverence to opinions which have been long established, or generally received, many gentlemen of the physical profession, and others who have reflected upon this subject, were never fully satisfied.with these therefore an inquiry concerning this important subject seemed to be wanting. For while the real cause is unknown, or appears uncertain, no human remedy can be proposed, capable of checking their progress. Let Us then examine the established theories concerning the primary cause of this distress '. Prosper Alpinus, a physician of Venice, who travelled into Africa, towards the close of the sixteenth century, in quest of physical knowledge, takes notice , that the people of Egypt acknowledge the Plague is a native of their country, and breaks out in those years when the river rises De Med. Egypt, lib. i. c, 15. rises? tp an uncommon height . And authors. in every age are agreed, that this fever rages more frequently upon the banks of the Nile than in any other country. Th E fame author further observes, that the notion which prevails in Egypt concerning the cause of this fever on those occasions is, that the water of these extraordinary inundations, rising above the ordinary limits, does not get back quickly, but spoils the air, and creates the pestilence f. Any man however, who will duly reflect upon this notion which obtains in Egypt, and has been...

40 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2012