brains did not exhibit any mark of disease whatever. The stomach in two instances was florid, and appeared to have been highly inflamed. Nothing peculiar struck me in the examination of the intestines, except that the colon was considerably contracted in a few instances. The liver almost always exhibited, more or less, a preternatural appearance. In two subjects who had experienced repeated attacks of this disease, on making an incision into the posterior part of the right lobe of the liver, my knife was followed, in one, by a pint, in the other by nearly a quart of sanious pus.

The pericardium was usually distended by a preternatural quantity of fluid.

ORIGINAL REVIEW.

A Dissertation on the Influence of a Change of Climate in Curing Diseases; by Professor GREGORY, of Edinburgh. Translated from the original Latin, and enlarged with occasional Notes: by WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, M. D."Pessimum ægro est cœlum quod ægrum fecit; adeo ut in id quoque genus, quod natura pejus est, in hoc statu, salubris mutatio sit." Celsus de Re Medica. Philadelphia: published by Thomas Dobson, 1815: 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 212.

An analysis of this work will be, we presume, more acceptable, if we present occasional extracts, exhibiting the views of the author, on a subject so interesting to the profession as the influence of a change of climate in curing diseases. By this plan too, our readers will be enabled, independent of any prepossessions of our own, to form a more correct estimate of the real merits of the work, and of the la'ms which the English version has to public patronage.

The work is divided into sections. The first section contains general observations relative to the effects of climate on the human constitution, and especially respecting the effect of that of Great Britain on the inhabitants-Remarks on the constitution of the air; and its modus operandi on the solids and fluids of the body; also of the disorders induced by its inclemency, and the sudden vicissitudes to which it is liable, of the effects of sailing on the system, and the peculiar kind of nausea, vomiting and exercise, arising from it. Observations tending to prove, that a change of climate may reasonably be expected to cure many obstinate chronic diseases, and more especially those endemical to the inhabitants of Great Britain.

Though placed several degrees to the south of Great Bri tain, we can not fail to perceive, that many of the observations

which more peculiarly apply to that island, are applicable to the portion of the globe we inhabit. We are familiar with the impressions made on our systems by the sudden vicissitudes of a variable climate. Great transitions from heat to cold are observable throughout the United States, and notwithstanding the more prevailing dryness and purity of our atmosphere, many of our diseases are considered as dependant on the cold. and wet, which frequently occur during the seasons of winter and spring.

Dr. Gregory explains the operation of cold, as constricting the vessels and pores of the skin, while excessive moisture he considers as relaxing the muscular fibres, weakening the contractile powers of the heart, and diminishing the action of the arteries. Hence the diminished perspiration and the supposed regurgitation of the blood on the internal parts, occasioning inflammation, hæmorrhage, fevers and a great many other disorders. Still there is a power inherent in the living body by which it is enabled to ward off the danger. "Thus it is, (he says,) that the human constitution, provided indeed it be vigorous and sound, accommodates itself so surprisingly to all variations of climate, from the coldest to the temperate, and the more fervid; that for the most part it suffers no injury from their diverse temperatures.* Cold and moist air, such as prevails in Great Britain, is the least favourable to perspiration, and an equable distribution of the fluids; but nature has so amply provided for that inconvenience, that the natural circulation of the fluids, in so far as is essential to health, is sufficiently promoted: consequently, those who are blest with sound and robust constitutions, suffer little or no detriment from this cause. Yet we see, notwithstanding, many instances, in which the healthiest temperament affords no barrier to the

* "Perhaps no climate or country is unhealthy, where men acquire from experience, or tradition, the arts of accommodating themselves to it. The history of all the nations of the world, whether savage, barbarous, or civilized, previous to a mixture of their manners by an intercourse with strangers, seems to favour this opinion."-Rush on the Climate of Pennsylvania.

hurtful incursions of the climate of this country. It is probable, that there are critical and dangerous periods in some constitutions, and without doubt there are idiosyncracies arising from peculiarities in the manner of living, as well as from the various conditions of men, and from other causes not accurately investigated, which render persons, who are in other respects perfectly vigorous, liable to diseases incidental to climate. It should be remarked, however, that although the irregular and unseasonable variations of the weather, do certainly exert most powerful effects on the constitution, and tend to produce many serious disorders; yet it happens, not unfrequently, that evils are imputed to the influence of climate, which in fact it has but little agency in generating; and which really derive their origin altogether from other sources. For in every clime, however variable and insalubrious it may be, we find inhabitants enjoying perfect health; and no portion of the terraqueous globe gives birth to any race of beings, that are liable to be annihilated by the destructive effects of the climate they inhabit. It has not either ever been observed that other animals are injured by the influence of their native clime, however insalubrious and intemperate it may be, and even under circumstances of the greatest possible exposure to the power of its severity. We surely cannot doubt then, that men may be able to endure the irregular transitions of climate without either injury or danger, provided they live temperately. Nor can we for a moment believe, as we should by admitting a contrary position to be true, that the Creator and preserver of the human race would subject mankind to a condition so rigorous and unjust. Besides, those men who are accustomed to a rude, and laborious life, who are but little regardful of the unseasonableness of the weather, to the vicissitudes of which they are continually exposing themselves, certainly live in the enjoyment of health and vigour like other animals; nor was it till he discovered and brought to perfection, artificial means of defending the body generally, from the extremities of the seasons, that man was subdued by the

severity of his native clime. Those, therefore, who are unskilled in the means of avoiding or guarding against the extremities of weather, seldom suffer any inconvenience from it; and it is only in proportion as men become afraid of exposing themselves to the intemperance of the air, and sedulously endeavour to avoid it-that they are rendered very susceptible of its effects. There is certainly but one method, by which men are enabled to defend themselves against the rigour of an unhealthy climate; namely, by rendering their constitutions so vigorous and robust, that they are in a situation to encounter and endure the danger and inconvenience they cannot shun. It is not surprising therefore, that those who are accustomed to polished life, and to indulgence in various luxuries, should be solicitous to elude the rigorous excesses of the weather. For if, from the causes we have mentioned, we find that men, in other respects very robust, and in the full enjoyment of perfect health, can scarcely endure this severity without annoyance; how much danger is not to be dreaded for those who have inherited from nature, less healthy constitutions-who, from living intemperately, or otherwise unhealthfully, have rendered their systems subject to various disorders -who from ill health, or from whatever cause, are broken down and exhausted in strength-or finally, for those advanced in years, or continually inclined to depression of spirits, and in whom all the natural powers of the mind and the body are wasting away by degrees!

"It is in cases then of this nature, that we should seek another climate blest with the cheering aspect of a clear and serene sky, assisted in its happy effect upon the feelings by the genial influence of soft breathing zephyrs. Where the prevalence of pleasant and more agreeable manners and livelier scenes are calculated to soothe the feelings, to promote cheerfulness, and to revive the declining powers of nature."

When it is judged expedient to make trial of a change of climate, with a view to its effects as a remedy, the question naturally arises, whether the patient should travel by sea or