Alberti, Diss. de Palendromia Morborum.-Hal. 1750. Büchner, Diss. de Primis Viis Morborum Periodicorum sede frequentissimá.-Hal. 1768.-Bald. Auszüg. I. 81. De Morb. Periodicis, (in general).—Hal. 1754. Darwin, Zoon. Sect. xxxii. 6.-xxxvi, ii. 3. &c. Franck, De Period. Affect.-Pavia, 1791. Marescot, Period. in Morbis, &c. &c.-Paris, 1575. 1764. De Neufville, Diss. indol. Morb. Period. Hypochon.-Göttengen, 1785. Plouquet, De Morbis Periodics.-Tubing. 1783. Du Port, Ergo meρiwowy Causa, &c.-Paris, 1623. Spichenbergen, De Morb. Period.-Leyden. Stahl, De Affectibus Periodicis. -Hal. 1702. Testa, Bermerkungen über die periodischen Veränderungen und Enscheinungen in Krankheit und gesunden Zustande des menschlichen Körpers.-Leipz. 1790. Salzb. Med. Chir.-Zeitung. 1791. III. 5. Valentini, Decl. Panyg. n. 3. de Morb. Period.-Francof. 1701. Spurzheim, Physiog. System.-London, 1816. On Insanity.-London, 1817, p. 190, et On Diseases with Diurnal and Nocturnal Periods. Crause, Dissert. de Morbis Nocturnis et Nocturnis Morborum Exacerbationibus.-Jena, 1709. Scarpa, Malatie deglie Occhi, (al fino del l.bro.) On the Nocturnal Blindness. Darwin, Zoonomia, vol. ii.-—(Curious cases of), and Class IV. ii. 4. et sequel. In order the further to prove the truth of the foregoing remarks, with respect to the casual and periodical influence of the atmosphere on diseases, have I recommended the plan of keeping journals of the weather, and noting down the epidemical and other prevalent complaints in collateral columns. The periods of irritability might likewise be noted, and also astronomical phaenomena. Such journals kept for a long time by physicians of extensive practice in different parts of the world, might lead to very useful results, by exhibiting a large body of collateral and consecutive observations on the atmosphere, and on diseases and their periods, by which we may be enabled to observe many coincidences at present unknown. With a view to assist persons in composing journals, have I subjoined the following plan, with a short description of the modifications of the clouds; since the knowledge of these, considered as the indicators of the electric state of the atmosphere, is of some importance to the speculative physician, who is examining the connexion between the health of his patients and the state of the weather. The journal should consist of 16 columns. The 1st column should contain the day of the month, 2d the hour of observation, which ought to be made at least three times a day, if possible, viz. 9 o'clock in the morning, noon and midnight. Those who are able to employ a person expressly to keep the register, should make five more observations, viz. at sunrise, being the coldest time; at 2 P. M.; and at 2 in the morning; because the crisis of symptoms of diseases with daily periods often happens at these times; at 6 P. M., because there is likewise, in many cases, an exacerbation of symptoms about this time. Though I have observed this period to fluctuate, according to the hour of dinner, having been established, I believe, by the exertion of digestion, yet it afterwards goes on periodically, independent of eating. It is to be noted that 9 A. M., noon, and 6. P. M., are also barometrical periods. The 3d column should contain the barometer; an R or an F should be placed after the numerical denotation, to signify either rising (if the mercury have a convex surface), or falling (if with a concave top). This will lead us to a knowledge of the time when the maximum and minimum of the day happen. The 4th column, the thermometer. In particularly hot or cold weather, the maximum of the day and the minimum of the night might be taken with a Six's, or selfmarking thermometer, in case we should not have seen it at its extreme points. This might be added in a note. The 5th column, the hygrometer: Saussure's and De Luc's are the best. The 6th column, the evaporation (by a vapourguage) in 24 hours, taken from 9 to 9 o'clock every morning. The 7th column, the rain fallen, (by a rainguage). The 8th column, the atmospherical electrometer. The 9th column, the electroscope of De Luc. The 10th column, the direction of the wind (by a weathercock). The 11th column, its force (by an For a description of these instruments and figures, and for descriptions of the modifications of the clouds-See my "Researches about Atmospheric Phaenomena," 2d edit.-Baldwin and Co. 1815. anemometer.) The 12th column, the modifications of clouds, or nepheological journal. They are as follow: 1. Cirrus, or Curlcloud, a light flexuous or curling cloud generally observed in the higher regions of the air. Sometimes its fibres are straight, and cross the welkin from one horizon to the other. 2. The Cumulus, or Stackencloud, an aggregated mass of an irregularly hemispherical form. The common cloud of day. 3. The Stratus, or Fallcloud; fogs and mists. 4. The Cirrocumulus, or Sondercloud: a bed of separate orbicular aggregates. 5. The Cirrostratus, or Wanecloud; a thick shallow cloud, a bed of little barred or streaked clouds, with this character. It is always in a subsiding state. 6. The Cumulostratus, or Twaincloud. mountainous clouds before storms. The rocklike and 7. The Nimbus, or Raincloud, immediately causing the Imber, or shower of rain. The 13th column should contain the general remarks on the weather. Occasional phaenomena, as halos, meteors, the, calendar of Flora, &c. &c. The 14th column, the diseases in particular. The 15th column, the periods of irritability; and the 16th column, the place of the moon. These Various miscellaneous notes might be added. As the appearance of migratory birds, the diseases of animals, &c. &c. journals, kept in different places, and published collectively, like the Meteorological Registers of the Palatine Society of Meteorology, would be useful and interesting.' A very copious Journal of the above kind has been kept at Walthamstow, in Essex, for upwards of forty years back, which I hope to have leisure to consult, and to give the substance to the public. THE HUNTERIAN ORATION, FOR THE YEAR 1819. DELIVERED BEFORE THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, IN LONDON; BY JOHN ABERNETHY, F.R.S., &c. SURGEON TO ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S AND CHRIST'S HOSPITALS. LONDON: VOL. XIV. Pam. NO. XXVII. K HUNTERIAN ORATION, 1819. It is the expressed intention of the founders of this oration, that it should be rendered contributory to the honor of surgery, and of its intelligent professors; which design cannot, in my opinion, be better accomplished, than by showing what surgery really is; the nature and extent of the knowledge requisite for its clear comprehension; the intellect and talent necessary for its successful practice. Had surgery and surgeons been merely what their names imply, handywork and handicrafts, I never would have appeared before you, Gentlemen, to do them honor. For honor is due alone to intellect, and can be paid to nothing else. Why do we honor those whose literary labors stand pre-eminent; or those who have exposed, or sacrificed their lives in the cause of their country, or in that of moral obligation? Is it not on account of their having evinced superior powers, or firmness of mind? They have thus done honor to the whole human race, and can only be repaid in the same coin; we return to them the tribute of honor, in proportion as they have conferred it on us. We indeed honor rank, but then it is either in blind obedience to the laws of custom, or because we associate the opinion of superior intelligence and elevation of mind with the possession of a dignified station.' The good qualities of the mind excite and engage our respect or esteem. |