Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 4.djvu/277

 Rh think, sufficient to render doubtful the truth of a common notion, that a moist climate is favourable to the production of rheumatism." It would, nevertheless, appear, from some of the Dispensary Reports in subsequent years, and from the observations of the present physician of the institution, Dr. Montgomery, that the comparative absence of rheumatism observed by me, was rather a temporary incident, than the habitual condition of the district; unless, indeed, it should be found, by still more extensive experience, that the state observed by Dr. Montgomery, is an exception to the general law. In the reports of this gentleman, for the five years from 1829 to 1833, we find no less than 194 cases recorded, being an average of 39 annually; and although, for want of any detailed classification of the cases, we cannot form any accurate estimate of their nature, still we are justified in inferring, from Dr. Montgomery's remarks, that the cases were frequently of an acute nature, and much more severe than had occurred there during my residence. Indeed, this seems to have been the case with diseases generally. In 1829, he observes, "A large proportion of inflammatory diseases have come under treatment. The variable and severe weather during part of the late winter, had assuredly much influence in the production of these diseases." In 1830, he says, "Inflammatory affections, especially of the chest, were exceedingly prevalent during the late winter, and more particularly soon after the very cold weather. Rheumatism was also of frequent occurrence, and in numerous examples proved a tedious and intractable disease." In 1831—"Rheumatism has