the different processes of nature, and operations of art. We shall ultimately discover where it assists, where it counteracts, and where it produces no effects at all; precepts and cautions will thence arise to direct our conduct: and thus assuming the real character and office of science, it will become an instrument of improvement and perfection in the useful occupations of life. In our native country the respectable tradesmen, who are employed in the important national concerns, of supplying our fleets destined for distant voyages and warm climates, with wholesome and durable provisions, are often unaccountably disappointed in the quality of the different articles which they provide. Perhaps they may discover that all the days of the month are not alike favourable for the important processes of brewing, and baking, and of preserving meat. And perhaps abroad, the manufacturers of indigo, sugar, saltpetre, and opium, may find out hereafter, that the success of their different operations are not altogether unconnected with certain periods of time.

To those who are proficient in astronomy it will readily occur, that the construction of an Ephemeris, such as that which is proposed, is not merely speculative or impracticable. It will occur to them that there is no hour or division of the column appropriated to the variations of sol-lunar power, for which the precise degree or quantum of its force is not either ascertained by astronomical theorems already demonstrated, or readily deducible from such demonstrations. On those gentlemen, whose studies have qualified them, and whose zeal may incline them, from a sense of its utility, to complete the construction of this instrument, I must for the present rest my hopes. My own imperfect knowledge of astronomy, and the precarious state of my health, render me at this time totally unequal to such an exertion.

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CONCLUSION.

In concluding this paper, I hope it will not be deemed disrespectful, if to prevent future mistakes, I should take this opportunity of declaring explicitly my own sentiments respecting the result and success of these investigations.

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Having discovered the laws of febrile parorysms, and having marked their course and periods in a manner that was never explained or "done before, I conceive that I have been able to "unfold a history and theory of fevers entirely

new; consistent with itself in every part, and "with the other appearances of nature; perfectly "conformable to the laws discovered by the im"mortal NEWTON; and capable of producing impor"tant improvements in medicine and meteorology."

Should these pretensions prove groundless and visionary, having submitted them to this Society, I shall at least obtain the credit of having sought investigation. If they be fair and just, the harmless vanity of proclaiming them will not obliterate all their merit.

EXPLANATION OF THE TABLES.

Of all the phenomena that occur in the contemplation of animal nature, it will be readily acknowledged, that the paroxysms of fevers are the most interesting to mankind. The history of every age declares the dreadful desolations they have made in every country; and by far the greatest portion of the human race continues to be swept away by this terrible disease.

The cause, however, that produces these remarkable effects, and determines the paroxysms of fevers to appear in different cases in various order and succession, constituting fevers of different types; and that again which determines different types to come to an end after certain intervals of time, forming these into fevers of different durations, are questions which have hitherto defied the research of physicians; and cannot be explained, except by the laws of sol-lunar influence.

TABLE I.

Explains the Types of Fevers.

The different types that occur in fevers are formed by febrile paroxysms continuing to return in succession for a certain number of days, at an interval of twelve, twenty-four, and forty-eight hours; or some other larger multiple of twelve hours; and almost invariably in coincidence with the period of the tides. The types of fevers, therefore, are formed by the action of sol-lunar influence producing paroxysms in coincidence with the periods of the tides, at the intervals I have described: and differ from each other, only in so far as their paroxysms return in succession at intervals formed by different multiples of twelve hours.

To convey a general idea of this discovery, I have constructed Table I, observing that it applies to explain all the types that I have ever met with in India; and agrees perfectly with the types that are described by other authors. The first of these examples, from the perfect coincidence of its paroxysms with the period of the tides, I have called a perfect type; and all the others, from their imperfect coincidence with those periods, imper

fect types. But as the paroxysms of the imperfect types, after the commencement of the neaps, are generally disposed to become less distinct in their form, and therefore not so easily reducible to the figure of a diagram, I have confined my representation of types to the period of the springs; when the paroxysms or fevers happen towards the middle of the day and night; and are most regular and distinct.

1st. Days are represented by the divisions of the horizontal lines of the table. 2dly. The paroxysms of fevers are represented by dots placed above and below these lines.

3dly. Single dots above the line represent single paroxysms happening towards the middle part of the day, and are pointed out by the letter d (for diurnal) placed at their beginning on the left.

4thly. Single dots below the line represent single paroxysms happening towards the middle part of the night, and are pointed out by the letter n (for nocturnal) placed at their beginning on the left.

5thly. Two dots in one division, the one above, the other below the line, denote a diurnal and nocturnal paroxysm on the same day.

6thly. The different successions of dots on the different horizontal lines of the table, proceeding from the beginning of the line on the left to its termination on the right, exhibit examples of various successions of paroxysms; constituting specimens of different febrile types that occur daily in the course of nature.

TABLE II.

Explains the Durations and Crises of Fevers.

Fevers of all the different types that are produced in the manner described in Table I. are limited to forms of different durations, by the remarkable remission which takes place in the power of sol-lunar influence on the commencement of the neaps; and which brings them at these junctures to a termination, or crisis, whenever the state of the body is sufficiently disposed to concur in that event. This is illustrated by the variations produced in the duration of perfect types as exhibited in this table; which will also serve, without any other diagram, to give an idea of the variations produced in a similar manner in the durations of types that are imperfect.

1st. Days are represented by the divisions of the

horizontal lines of this table.

2dly. The paroxysms of fevers are represented by dots placed above and below these lines.

3dly. Single dots above the lines represent single paroxysms happening towards the middle part of the day, and are pointed out by the letter d (for diurnal) placed at their beginning on the left.

4thly. Single dots below the line represent single paroxysms happening towards the middle part of the night, and are pointed out by the letter n (for nocturnal) placed at their beginning on the left.

5thly. Two dots in one division, one above the line, the other below, denote a diurnal and nocturnal paroxysm on the same day.

6thly. The successions of dots on the different horizontal lines of the table, proceeding from the beginning of the line on the left to their termination on the right, represent the different successions of paroxysms that occur in fevers of a perfect type, (or what are commonly called con