having generally a striking resemblance to that case;
either in some anomalous symptom,—in the periods
of their exacerbation,—in their progress,—or in the
length of their duration.
The cause of this singularity, I shall endeavour in
part to explain; and from such explanation it will be
seen, that as in some other diseases, particularly affecting
the resident, the fault is often attributable to
himself, and the means of prevention, if not of cure,
lie partly within his power: so here also, it is highly
probable, that much might be done by art, to obviate
the universality of epidemics in their influence on
other diseases: and that the road to such improvement
in the sanatory condition of the island, is actually beginning
to be laid open; as will appear more fully
hereafter.
The first disease to which I shall refer, is rheumatism
; since I believe It is admitted on all hands, that
there is none prevalent in the island, to which both
natives and residents are so extensively liable. Among
the people in the rural districts, it is universal after
the age of thirty: and as a protection against its
attacks, the field labourers (who are of both sexes)
resort generally to flannel as a clothing. This is the
more conspicuous from its colour, which is uniformly
re d ; since it is a common opinion, and perhaps therefore,
not without some foundation in truth ( interdum
vidgus rectum videtj, that the colour of the flannel is
as instrumental as the fabric itself, towards proving a
safeguard and protection against rheumatism.
Among the British residents, the disease, though
less general, is still very prevalent. Its form is for the
most part chronic;—few instances presenting themselves
of that severely acute form, which requires the
prompt and vigorous use of the lancet. In one respect
also, it is somewhat peculiar; for, as it often attacks
the joints of the fingers, wrists and ancles, the definition
“ Genua et reliquos majores, potius quam pedum et
manuum articidos infestans ” is here inapplicable.
Among the causes (hereafter detailed) that predispose
the body to rheumatism, or that directly excite it,
by far the most influential is the great humidity of the
atmosphere in Jersey. This is a fact well known to
ironmongers and cutlers, who scrupulously avoid exposing
any valuable wares in the windows of their
shops: while polished steel fire ranges are rarely to
be met with ; since they demand the unceasing vigilance
of servants, to preserve them from rusting even
during the summer months.
To the production of this humidity several causes
conspire. These it is important to bring under review,
as being of moment, in the elucidation of every part of
my subject. Besides its insular position, the island is
everywhere thick set with wood;—every little section
of ground (the property of some cotter) being hedged
in with four rows of trees. The island moreover being
continually intersected at intervals of a few hundred
yards by pathways, beset with their double file ot
trees, planted on embankments, so high as to intercept
the view from the top of the loftiest carriage, after
the rains of autumn have commenced, these pathways
remain constantly wet during the whole of the winter ;
since neither can the rays of the sun penetrate, nor can
currents of air freely ventilate the earth. Occasionally
r