TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

ASIATIC SOCIETY.

I.

ON THE

> Course of the GANGES through BENGAL.

BY MAJOR R. H. COLEBROOKE.

HE frequent alterations in the course of the

TGanges, and of other rivers which flow through

Bengal, have been a subject of wonder to the generality of Europeans refiding in these provinces; although to the natives, who have long witnessed such changes, the most remarkable encroachments of the rivers, and deviations of their streams, are productive of little surprise.

It is chiefly during the periodical floods, or while the waters are draining off, that the greatest mischief is done; and if it be confidered, that at the distance of two hundred miles from the Sea, there is a difference

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tion which they have reason to entertain, and which, on that account, and many other considerations, we ought, if possible, to gratify.

One of the most striking and interesting peculiarities of this climate is the wonderful connection that subsists between the paroxysms of fevers, and certain relative positions of the sun and moon; and as it is a peculiarity that leads to new ideas respecting the theory and treatment of the whole class of febrile diseases, and suggests Desiderata for meteorological research; and therefore presents to the physician and philosopher, one of the most important phenomena in nature, I have chosen it for the subject of this paper.

I. Of the NUMBER and IMPORTANCE of the DISEASES that belong to the CLASS of FEVERS.

As the terms fevers, febrile diseases, or class of fevers, cannot convey to those who have not professionally or regularly applied themselves to the study of medicine, any just or adequate idea of the great extent and magnitude of this subject, I have thought it expedient to take this occasion to observe, for their information, that the class of fevers or febrile diseases comprehends, not only the disorders that always receive the appellation of fevers, but a very great number of others that are never distinguished by this name, although the fever which accompanies them, constitutes the very essence of the disease. Diseases of this description, of which many are far more destructive to the human race than those expressly called fevers, are most of them included in the following catalogue.

The plague, putrid sore-throats, epidemic catarrhs, dysenteries, pleurisies, peripneumonies, cho