An essay on atmospheric vicissitudes, and their influence on the body in health and disease / by John Epps.

  • John Epps
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on atmospheric vicissitudes, and their influence on the body in health and disease / by John Epps. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    8/8 page 8
    observe these circumstances constantly coin- cident, and to separate them from those casually coincident; and then, finally, by the aid of chemical science, to draw out from the amorphous mass those primitive forms, ■which will indicate to us the laws which regulate the production of the epidemics. In fine, Sir, it is necessary ever to remem- ber one prominently beautiful among the many beautiful sentiments of Cicero; it oc- curs in the Tusculan questions; “ Nihil po- test esse oequabile quod non a certa ratione proficiseitur.” IV. I shall now conclude by some ge- neral remarks, which may be considered as conclusions. 1. That as the atmospheric vicissitudes have such decided effects both on states of health and of disease, it is evident, that, in many cases a change of climate may be at- tended with the greatest benefit. 2. Thatas climate is not dependent wholly upon altitude or latitude, or position in re- gard to the sun, there is not a necessity, in every case, to go to a foreign land to obtain a change of climate. 3. That the benefit to be derived from a change of climate is proportioned to its de- viation from the state of the climate in which the person had been previously placed: that is, understanding at the 6ame time, that these deviations are of such a nature as to be friendly to the diseased state. 4. That it is a desirable matter of research to ascertain those places in England, both inland and on the coast, where the atmo- spheric conditions are peculiar for general mildness, and for the non-production of cer- tain diseases. 5. That in order to obtain the full benefits in regard to health, to be enjoyed in any country, the subjects, generally comprised under the improper title, “ Medical Police, must be more fully investigated, and in- formation on them more generally spread. How many hundreds of British subjects have been destroyed in India and elsewhere by the ignorance both of the rulers and the ruled! Such, Mr. ^resident, is an imperfect view of an important matter; and I am thankful that the existence of the Westminster Me- dical Society has been the means of direct- ing my attention to this subject. A society for the communication and the reception of instruction, when conducted with the spirit suited to effect such desirable objects, is one of the noblest manifestations of the mutual co-operation, and the elevated mental and moral condition, exhibited under and exist- ing in, the Republic of Letters. [Extracted from Dr. Ryan’s London Medical and Surgical Journal, No. 146.] LONDON: PRINTED BY J. HENDERSON, 2i, WATER-LANE, FLEET STREWt.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3