The volcanic origin of epidemics / by John Parkin.

  • John Parkin
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The volcanic origin of epidemics / by John Parkin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    writer remarks : “ Epizootic influenza does not spread by virtue of any of the recognized atmospheric condi- tions of cold, heat, humidity, season, climate, or altitude. The disease prevailed, and was propagated in the cold of a northern winter, and in the summer heat of Central America; in the dry air of Minnesota, and in the moist air of the sea-board: at an altitude of 5000 feet above the sea—at Saltillo, Mexico—and on the low levels of New Orleans—10 feet above sea-level—and Galverston, Texas, 5 feet above sea-level.” 3 Again ; a change in the electrical state of the atmo- sphere, especially a diminution of it, has been assigned as the immediate cause of epidemic diseases. This is more particularly the case with Noah Webster, who remarks : “ It is proved by experiments, that the fibres of living animals are the most perfect conductors of elec- tricity; while the integuments, which cover them, are non-conductors. A consequence of these principles will be that, in all the motions or operations of electricity in the atmosphere, the nerves must be the principal subjects of its influence. Hence, if the atmosphere is, at times, electrified beyond the degree which is usual and necessary, to preserve the body in a due state of excite- ment, the nerves must be too highly excited; and, under a continued operation of undue stimulus, become extremely irritable and subject to debility.”4 This debility is, as the writer infers, the cause of the different varieties of fever—both eruptive and ordinary—of influenza, and of the whole class of epidemics. Mr. Orton and other recent writers have adopted the same 3 Philadelphia Medical Times. 4 History of Epidemics, vol, i., p. 316.
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