A brief history of epidemic and pestilential diseases; with the principal phenomena of the physical world, which precede and accompany them, and observations deduced from the facts stated. : In two volumes. / By Noah Webster, author of Dissertations on the English language and several other works--member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences--of the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures, in the state of New-York--of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and corresponding member of the Historical Society in Massachusetts. ; Vol. I[-II].

SECTION IV. Historical View of pestilential epidemics, from the year 1340, to 1500.

THE pestilence next to be described was the most general and awfully distressing that the world ever experienced. The precise year when it appeared in Asia, where it began, is not as|certained; but probably about 1345, perhaps a year or two ear|lier.

The histories of that age ••elate, that it commenced in Cathay, China, and was preceded by the bursting of a huge meteor or globe of fire; or as others relate, the fire burst from the earth. These accounts were taken from Genoese seamen, and are recor|ded by Villani; bu•• Dr. Mead, with that obstinacy that rejects truth when opposed to preconceived theory, thinks the report incredible, and questions not the disease originated in Egypt. Had he ever examined the subject, like an impartial man, he would have believed the account of the seamen, for there is not a more certain phenomenon in nature, than the appearance of meteors and the explosion of fire in pestilential periods.

Villani, book 1. ch. 2. Mezeray, Tom. 1. 798.

This plague appeared in 1346 in Egypt, Syria, Greece, Turkey; in 1347 in Sicily, Pisa, Genoa and other parts of It|aly; in 1348 it appeared in the south of France, first in Avig|non, which is not a maritime city, but at a distance from the sea, and afterwards in other parts of the kingdom and in all the southern provinces of Spain. At the close of the same year, it made its appearance in England, first in Dorsetshire, and soon travelled over the whole country. In 1349 it overrun Ireland, Holland, Scotland, and in 1350 all Germany, Hungary and the north of Europe.

This pestilence was remarkable for raging in winter as well as summer, even in the north of Europe. In France it first ap|peared at Avignon in February and prevailed there nearly a year.

Muratori, vol. 3. part 2. 588.

Short has placed its first appearance in the south of England in September. But Archbishop Parker has placed its origin just after Christmas. His words are, "Ea statim post nativitatis dominicae celebratum festum, ipsa nimirum hyeme et rerum omni|um ad victum necessarium copia, cum vix ulla contagionis suspicio oriri mortalibus potuit, incepit." "Immediately after the feast of our Lord's nativity, in winter and amidst the greatest abun|dance of provisions, when there could be no suspicion that a contagious disease would arise among men, the plague commen|ced." It raged about five months and according to this author ceased in May following; altho other authors relate, that it had not gone through the kingdom till late in the summer.

Parker's Antiq. Brit. p. 360.

In the English Annals by William Wyrcester, in the black book of the Exchequer, it is said that this plague prevailed in the parts of London and its vicinity in autumn 1349.

These different accounts of the time of the first appearance of this disease, are reconcileable on the principles which mod+ern observations have unfolded. It is found that the plague is always preceded, for some months, and in some instances, for two or three years, by other malignant fevers, which increase gradually to the violence of the true plague; and often the de|grees of violence are so gradual, tha•• physicians themselves can hardly determin a line of distinction between the malignant dis|ease, which is the precursor of the plague, and the plague itself. That is, they are at a loss to know where the malignant dis|ease ends and the plague begins. Hence all the disputes, at the commencement of a pestilence, whether the disease i•• the plague or not—a circumstance which appears to have marked the origin of all great plagues, and yet physicians and philosophers in Eu|rope seem never to have suspected the cause.—These facts will be hereafter demonstrated, and they annihilate at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blow the whole doctrine of the propagation of that disease from country to coun|try by infection.

From the uniform operations of nature in the case of epi|demic pestilential diseases of the kind under consideration, there must have been in England, during the summer, previous to the appearance of the plague, malignant fevers, which might ap|proach to the violence and fatality of the plague. This circum|stance might create a small difference in the accounts of the ori|gin of the plague—inaccurate observers mistaking the one dis|ease for the other—or rather naming the previous putrid fever, the plague, before it put on the characteristic symptoms.

It is possible however that these authors may refer to the com|mencement of the disease in different parts of England.

This formidable calamity deserves a particular description, with all the phenomena attending it.

In 1347 appeared a frightful comet, in August. Preceding and during the prevalence of the disease, the whole earth was shaken by most tremendous earthquakes. All Germany was shaken in 1346. In 1349 on the 9th of Sept. Sicily was shaken to its foundation, together with all Italy. In Greece many cities were overthrown, and in many places towns and castles were demolished. Thousands of people were swallowed up and the courses of rivers were obstructed.

Over Avignon was suspended a meteor or pillar of fire for an hour. The heavens were at times illuminated as with flame, and meteors were frequent.

I have no particular description of all the seasons, during the five years, in which this mortal pestilence desolated Europe. But the year 134••, the year of the comet, was, in England, excessively rainy, and the air humid.* 1.1 Short, from Johan Cole de Billona, mentions that a hot air, cloudy and moist at|mosph••re had continued for some years, and that a malignant, contagious peripneumony followed in all Europe. But unfortu|nately the compiler leaves us in the dark as to the precise time of

its appearance, and whether before or after the other forms of this pestilence.

Mezeray relates that in China, the disease originated from a vapor, which burst from the earth, was horribly offensive and consumed the face of the country through an extent of 200 leagues. This account may be inaccurate, but is not to be wholly rejected. That some action of subterranean heat was instrumental in generating the disease, is very probable; or at least that some phenomena of fire accompanied it, because this supposition is consonant to the whole series of modern observa|tions.

The pestilential state of air, in that period, is strongly marked by the appearance of myriads of unusual and loathsome insects, not only in China, but in Europe. They are des•••• as young serpents, or as venemous insects, or as large vermin with tails and eight short legs—in which description, probably, a frightened imagination had some share of infl••••nce. But of the fact of their existence, there can be no doubt.

In the Ouse there was a great inundation just before Ascen|sion day, and in York began this plague speedily after the flood.

The symptoms of this fatal malady were—violent af••••ction in the head and stomach, buboes and other glandular swellings; small swellings like pimples or blisters; usually a feve•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a vomiting or spitting of blood.—The swellings in the glands▪ ••••e infallible signs of the disease; but the most fatal symptom was, the pimples or blisters spread over the whole body. Hemorrha|ges from the mouth, nose and other parts, indicated a universal and sudden disorganization of the blood. The patient usually died in three days or less—which denotes the virulence of the poison, or rather the activity of the disease, which destroyed the powers of life in half the time, which the bilious plague usually employs.

The peripneumony which was epidemic about the same time, appeared in a burning fever, insatiable thirst, a black tongue, anxiety and pains about the heart, short breath, a cough with expectoration of a mixed matter, open mouth, raging delirium, fury, red, turbid or black urine, restlessness, and watchings,

black eruptions, anthraces, buboes, and in some, corroding ulcers over the whole body. The disease usually terminated the 4th day, sometimes not till the 7th. The blood was black and thick; but sometimes greenish and watery or yellowish.—Venesection was certain death. The disease baffled medical skill—the only remedies that appeared to relieve, were laxatives early admin|istered, cupping and scarification, leeches applied to the hemor|rhoids, and inwardly, infusions of mild, diaphoretic, attenua|ting, pectoral vegetables.

It will be hereafter proved that malignant pleurisy and peripneu|mony usually form a part of that series of diseases which always occur during a period of general contagion. When plague and yellow fever occur in summer, in northern climates, pleurisy and peripneumony often assume, in winter, great and even pestilential violence.

This plague was so deadly that at least half or two thirds of the human race perished in about 8 years. It was most fatal in cities, but in no place died less than a third of the inhabitants. In many cities perished nine out of ten of the people, and many places were wholly depopulated. In London 50,000 dead bod|ies were buried in one grave yard. In Norwich died about the same number. In Venice died 100,000—in Lubec, 90,000— in Florence the same number. In the east perished twenty mil|lions in one year.—In Spain the disease raged three years and carried off two thirds of the people. Alfonso 2d. died with it while besieging Gibraltar.

In this fatal period, the apprehension of death destroyed the value of property. In England, and probably in other coun|tries, cattle were neglected and they ran at large over the coun|try. The corn perished in the fields for want of reapers; whole vill••ges were depopulated; and after the malady ceased, multi|tudes of houses and buildings of all kinds were seen mouldering to ruin. A horse which before had been worth forty shillings, after the sickness, sold for half a mark.

Altho in the year preceding there had been a plenty of pro|visions, yet the neglect of agriculture during the general distress produced a famin. Such was the loss of laborers, that the few

survivors afterwards demanded exorbitant wages, and the Par|liament of England was obliged to interfere, and limit their wa|ges, and even compel men to labor.—See 23d Edward 3. A. D. 1350. The preamble states, that a great part of the people, especially workmen and servants had died of the late pestilence, and those who survived, seeing the necessity of men, demanded excessive wages.

This disease was particularly fatal in Denmark—all business was at a stand, towns were deserted, and all was terror and des|pair. It reached the highest northern latitudes; it broke out in Iceland, and was so fatal, that the settlements there are sup|posed not to have since recovered their population. It was cal|led the sorte diod, black death.

In some places people attempted to escape infection by taking their families on board of vessels, and putting to sea; but it was in vain; they were seized in every place, without regard to age or sex.

In 1348 the malady swept away the Greenland merchants and seamen. This disease also, or some other cause destroyed the colony of Danes in that country, for it was extinguished and has never been found or heard of to this day.

This pestilence was remarkably fatal to the monks and regular clergy of all descriptions. In one society at Montpeliers, of 140 members died all but 7: About the same proportion perished in Magdalen Society. In Marseilles, of 140 not one survived. But a circumstance related in Knighton's Chronicon deserves particular notice. At Avignon where the disease first appeared in France, 66 of the Carmelites had died, before the citizens were apprized of the fact; and when it was discovered, the re|port circulated that the brethren had killed each other.

An important consequence results from the fact—that this plague first appeared in a monastery, which might be crouded with lazy, idle, filthy monks; in a city not commercial, nor a sea port. There was no idea of any imported infection; but there must have been strong local causes, which first excited into action the general contagion which, at that time, pervaded the atmosphere over the whole globe.

Such was the havoc made by this pestilence among the clergy

in England, says Knighton, that a vicarage which before the plague, might have been supplied for four or five marks a year, or two marks and the man's board, was raised to the price of twen|ty marks or twenty pounds.

Col. 2600.

This pestilential period was preceded and attended with all the usual phenomena of fatal Epidemics.* 1.2 The earthquakes and the insects have been noticed. Abortions were among the remarka|ble precursors of this malady. The same fact is noticed by Diemerbroeck, before the great plague at Nimeguen, in 1635. The same has been mentioned by the authors he quoted, Fores|tus, Sennertes, and others; and is ascribed to the tenderness and debility of the heart and Viscera. Hence pregnant women first feel the effects of a state of air unfriendly to the support of life, and if they are seized with plague, are always its victims.

Another phenomenon attending this plague was the death of fish. This circumstance, with the bad state of the water, which is often affected by the pestilential state of the elements, and was greatly affected in this period, gave rise to a report that the Jews had poisoned the wells and springs. The prejudices against the Jews, which have marked and scandalized all christian coun|tries, except America, were at their height in the reign of Ed|ward the 3d of England, the period under consideration. These prejudices drove legislators and princes to exercise every species of cruelty upon the Israelites, on account of their usury; and when the report of their poisoning the water circulated, the pop|ulace in some places and especially in Germany, rose and assassi|nated multitudes of these unfortunate men.

The death of animals, particularly of sheep, marked the same period. In England, 5000 died in one pasture. The state of the air and water was so pestilential that it is averred by historians, the fowls and fishes had blotches on them.

Authorities. Short, on air. vol. 1. 165. Knighton, Chron. Pennant's Arctic Zoology p. 67. Townsend's Travels in Spain, vol. 2. 219. Maitland's Hist. of London. Mura|tori, Tom 3. 588 and 594. Univ. Hist. vol. 32. 251. Stow's Survey, 478. Mazeray's Hist. France. Villani, and ma|ny others.

It may be remarked that this mortal pestilence raged in Eng|land and France, during peace, or rather during a truce, which had been concluded between Edward III and the King of France in 1347, and which lasted seven years.

Guido, an inhabitant of Avignon, when this malady appeared, and who escaped death by the favorable process of a bubo, re|lates a fact that throws light on this subject. He says that the mal|ady was of two kinds—"the first, and which preceded the other about two mouths, was a fever, with spitring of blood," not un|like that which prevailed in the time of Fracastorius. All who were seized with these symptoms, died in three days.

The other kind, which succeeded the first, came on with con|tinued fever, carbuncles and abscesses, in the glands.—This was as fatal as the other, except near its decline, and the patient died in five days.

Friend's Hist. Med. p. 5••4.

It is remarkable, that the disease which is technically called plague, pestis, is always preceded by a similar fever. It is in fact the plague in its first stages, tho it does not exhibit the gland|ular swellings, which modern physicians contend are characteris|tic of true plague, and mark a generic or at least a specific differ|ence between that and any other kind of typhus fever. This fact of a progressiveness in the disease, annihilates the favorite no|tion of deducing all plagues from infection; a notion which is bandied about between physicians and legislators like a tennis ball, tho unhappily for mankind, infinitely less harmless.

At the close of this dreadful period, in 1350, were severe earth|quakes in Italy. In 1356 a violent shock in Switzerland, and in Germany, especially on the Rhine, which did great injury. To this succeeded most violent rains, and famin and pestilence in Germany, with prodigious mortality.

Muratori, Tom. 3. part. 2. 594.

Brabant escaped this terrible pestilence and so did Milan.

In 1352 authors relate that 900,000 people in China perished by famin.

The rainy and humid seasons which introduced the great pesti|lence of 1347-50, were succeeded by drouth in 1350, a comet in 1351, with tremendous storms, and a meteor which burst

with a heavy report. The winter following was severe, and in 1354 Africa and Cyprus were devoured by locusts.

In England prevailed epidemic madness in 1355.

In 1358 was a severe winter, followed by an eruption in Ice|land, and a wasting plague in Italy in 1359. According to Bac|cace, Florence lost 100,000 citizens, and Petrarch says, scarce|ly ten of a thousand survived. There was a great mortality partic|ularly among child-bed women, and cattle did not escape.

This pestilence also became nearly general. In 1361 Milan, which had escaped in 1348, was severely afflicted, as was all France, England and Ireland, and it was computed that Scot|land lost one third of its inhabitants. This plague was called the second in the reign of Edward III, and it was in time of peace.

In this pestilential time, occurred a remarkable storm of hail and snow, in April 1360. The tendency of the elements in such periods to generate hail and snow, is a fact that well deserves consideration.

In January 1361, a violent tempest spread desolation over Europe. The winter was severe, and the summer dry. In March 1362 appeared a comet in the North East, with a vast co|ma, and an eruption in Iceland. A dearth and diseases among cattle followed.

This last pestilence differed from that in 1348, in two or three particulars. It raged with most violence, on mountainous dis|tricts, where the air was pure, and where the plague of 1348 did not prevail. It attacked the nobility and gentry with more vio|lence than the poor; contrary to the usual fact; whereas the dis|ease of 1348 was most fatal to persons in the humbler walks of life.

Muratori Tom. 3. part 2. 600. Liber Niger Saccarii vol. 2. 433. Henry's Hist. Britain vol. 4. 194.

The comet and volcano of 1362 were followed in 1363 by a winter of extraordinary severity, which lasted from September to April. The Rhine was covered with ice for ten weeks.

The year 1365 was rainy, and the plague carried off 20,000 people in Cologne, and the vicinity. In 1366 an eruption in Iceland destroyed 70 farms. The same year was very sickly in England and deaths sudden.

In 1368 was visible in March a comet with a coma, and the crops failed. In this year commenced in England the third great plague in the reign of Edward III.; the reader will note that this was preceded by a sickly year in 1366. The mortal|ity was great, and especially about Oxford. The most fatal year was 1369, and in Ireland the disease raged in 1370. I have no particulars of the progress of the disease on the conti|nent; but it was very fatal.

Murat. vol. 3. 632. Pistorius vol. 1. lib. Niger 435. Maitland's Hist. Lond. Van Trail's Letters on Iceland.

In 1373 raged an epidemic madness among the lower people in England; and in 1374 a similar disorder prevailed in France and Italy. During pestilential periods, some general cause seems to affect the brain in a powerful manner, even in persons who escape the plague.

In 1374 also was an eruption of a volcano in Iceland. There was also famin, a violent plague in Italy and some parts of France. In 1371 there had been a severe earthquake in the south of France.

Murat. Tom. 3. 646. 649.

In 1379 commenced a great sickness in the north of England, which almost laid waste the country; and in 1380 was seen a comet. The disease is not described, but it was the forerunner of a most dreadful plague. Provisions were good and cheap.

In 1381 and 2 considerable earthquakes were felt in England, and a severe pestilence appeared at Avignon in France, which raged for four or five years, depopulating many cities. It pre|vailed in Italy, France, Germany, England, Ireland, Greece, and the East.

There was an eruption of Etna in 1381, and the year closed with great rains. The year 1382 was without winds. The plague was most fatal to children, and great ravages were made also among the friars. In this pestilence Lubec lost 90,000 people.

Liber Niger Sac. 441. Short on Air.

In 1388 the drouth was so severe, that the Rhine was ford|able at Cologne. In 1389 violent tempests raged in England, with great destruction; and in the year following, was an erup|tion

of a volcano in Iceland. In modern days, we observe the same train of phenomena, evidently depending on one general cause. In 1389 appeared a singular meteor or light in the heavens.

The year 1389 was remarkable for the death of children in all parts of England. From the phenomena that attended and the diseases which followed, compared with the order of diseases in modern days, it appears very probable that this disease was a species of Angina, which almost invariably precedes the plague. In the next year, a deadly plague raged in the north of England. Swarms of gnats and flies marked this period, and some parts of the continent were overrun with locusts.

Pistor. vol. 1. Short on Air.

The reader will remark the excessive drouth preceding the eruption in Iceland and the fiery appearance in the heavens in the year of the tempest. In these phenomena, nature is nearly uniform.

It is a very common event that dysentery of a malignant type succeeds the plague. Such was the case in England, in 1391, when this disease was epidemic and very mortal. A dearth of corn might have contributed to the same event; but it is often the fact, without any scarcity of food.

An uncommon redness of the sun is mentioned in July of 1391, and for six weeks after, thick vapor or clouds. Perhaps these might have been occasioned by the eruption in Iceland, in the preceding year: as it appears to have been a phenomenon somewhat similar to that which Europe beheld with amazement and terror in 1783.—I have however my suspicions that while the central fires expel immense quantities of burning lava, from volcanoes, they may force through the earth in the adjoining continents, a subtle vapor, that is invisible, until it is collected and condensed in the higher regions of t••e atmosphere.

The beginning of the 15th century was marked by a severe and desolating pestilence. The disease first appeared in the last year or two of the former century. In 1399 the mortality was such in Spain, especially in Andalusia, that the king was obliged to suspend the law which restrained widows from marrying with|in

a year after the death of their husbands. It was preceded by a severe winter.

Mod. Univ. Hist. vol. 20. 353.

In 1402-3 and 4 the plague in Iceland carried off multitudes of the inhabitants.

Van Troil.

In 1400 epidemic and mortal sickness prevailed in England. A violent earthquake the same year in Persia. In 1401 Flor|ence was nearly dispeopled by the plague. In 1402 in March appeared a comet of a fiery aspect, and coma, which was visible for three months.* 1.3 In 1402 a frost so severe that the Baltic was passable for horses for six weeks. In 1406 the sea broke into Holland, Zealand and Flanders, with prodigious injury. A plague carried off 30,000 people in London; and a comet the same year. The winters following were so severe that most birds died. In Sept. there were great floods from rain. In 1408 there was an eruption of Etna and deep snow.

Pistorius, Germ. Script. vol. 1. Short on Air. Maitland's Hist. Lond.

The summer of 1406, when the plague raged in London, was close, moist and southerly weather.

In 1411 the dysentery carried off 14000 people in Bour|deaux, but I have no account of the seasons. The plague ra|ged in Aquitain and Gascoigne with great mortality. In 1412, there were uncommon tides in the Thames. In 1414 a comet, and in 1416 an eruption of fire from a volcano in Iceland, pre|ceded by great snow.

In 1421, according to some authors, happened the dreadful inundation in Holland, which formed the Zuyder Sea. In 1422 there was an eruption of fire in Iceland, and a severe winter followed. The same year, the plague raged in Poland. From these phenomena, I suspect the approach of a comet, but have no account of one.

In 1426 a comet, an excessively hot summer, and a violent earthquake which overturned twenty cities in Catalonia, in Spain, and was felt in most parts of Europe. In 1427 the seasons

were rainy, the winter mild, a dearth and famin followed, and the plague in Dantzick. Epidemics prevailed in England, and the year following, the plague.

In 1430 happened a general earthquake—in 1432 a great in|undation in Germany—in 1433 a comet was visible for three months, in the south, and the winter following was terribly se|vere. The frost began in the last week in November and lasted till the middle of February.

Pistorius Germ. Script vol. 1. Short, vol. 1. Liber Niger Sac. vol. 2.

In 1436 there was an eruption of a volcano in Iceland and a severe winter. An epidemic fever prevailed in Venice, which was attributed to the use of stagnant water.

In 1438 and 9 violent storms and great rains injured the corn and a dearth ensued. A comet in 1439 and a hard winter followed. To these phenomena succeeded in 1440 a series of distressing epidemics, severe coughs, small-pox, fevers and dys|entery, which proved exceedingly fatal.

Short vol. 1. Pistorius vol. 1.

In 1443 Bohemia, Hungary, and Poland were terribly in|jured by an earthquake. In 1444 there was eruption of Etna and Lipari, and the explosion was repeated in 1446 and 7. An epidemic prevailed in 1445, which suddenly ended life, but it is not described. In January 1449 was seen a comet. This year the plague raged in Italy and in 1450 famin and plague. In Milan perished 60,000 people.

Muratori vol. 13. Short vol. 1.

This plague of 1450 is said to have arisen in Asia, and after|wards spread over Italy, Germany, France and Spain, leaving alive scarcely a third of the human race.

In 1455 appeared a comet and another in 1456. In this lat|ter year, Italy was violently shaken by an earthquake, and 40,000 people perished.—Pistorius places the earthquake in 1457, and says it demolished 40 towns, and destroyed 60,000 lives. In 1459 a plague began in July and raged six months in Italy.

Pistorius vol. 1. 375. Muratori Tom. 5. p. 50. Short vol. 1.

It will be observed, in this period and in many others, that the plague is not mentioned under the year of the earthquake. Modern observations explain the progress of pestilence, which is most usual, viz. measles, catarrh, angina, and other malig|nant complaints preceding the crisis of the pestilential state of air, or plague. And we find almost invariably some of these diseases to be epidemic, even before the comet, earthquakes and erup|tions of volcanoes, altho the most violent form of the pestilence does not always appear till a year or two after those phenomena. There is also a difference, in the times of the appearance of the plague in various countries. In Egypt, the pestilence usually ap|pears first, and is cotemporary with the comet, or nearly so; and the same year, when the plague rages in Egypt, we find an|ginas and other malignant diseases prevailing in Europe and America, in northern latitudes. This difference in time evin|ces the power of local causes, in aiding the progress of the epi|demic constitution of air, and which produce the most violent diseases in Egypt, one, two or three years, previous to their ap|pearance in cooler latitudes. But it will almost always be found true, that the commencement of a series of epidemics is nearly at the same time in all parts of the world; the precursors of the plague being nearly cotemporary in different countries; altho the pestilential constitution or general contagion arrives to its crisis much sooner in Egypt, Smyrna and Constantinople, than in places less exposed to the influence of local causes of disease.

In 1465 pestilence again appeared in Italy, but I have no particulars. In 1467 a comet, and a mild winter is recorded; a remarkable fact, and the second instance I have found in his|tory. Indeed so uniform are hard winters during the approach of comets, that the accounts of exceptions are to be suspected of inaccuracy in point of time.

In 1468 a most deadly plague raged in Parma of which Short gives a particular description from Rolandus Capellatus.

Short, vol. 1. 194. Muratori, vol. 13. Edit. Milan. Pistorius, Germ. Script. vol. 2.

In 1471 the winter was rigorous and stormy. In 1472 ap|peared three comets; two of them of distinguished magnitude. In 1473 most excessive heat and drouth, and authors relate that

the woods took fire by the heat of the sun. This drouth con|tinued three years—all small rivers were dried up—the Danube was fordable in Hungary. In 1475 and 1476 appeared those enormous swarms of locusts, which always denote a state of air highly pestilential, and ravaged Hungary and Poland. In 1474 earthquakes were felt in Germany. In 1475 an eruption of a volcano in Iceland.

These phenomena, in this period, as usual, introduced most terrible pestilence, which began in 1472 and arrived to its height in 1477. It raged in Italy, Germany, France and England, and how much more extensively, my authorities do not inform me. It prevailed several years, with incredible mortality. In Paris perished 40,000; a large number for the population at that time. In England the number of deaths was not estimated; but authors relate that fifteen years of civil war did not carry off one third of the number. This year 1477 was excessively hot. In 1478 innumerable locusts overran Italy.

In 1478 and 9 the plague in England repeated its ravages; beginning like that of 1348, in autumn, raging through the winter until the next autumn.

Pistorius, vol. 2. 754. Muratori, vol. 13. Short, vol. 1. Maitland's Hist. London. Fracastorius de Contagione, 136. Fernelius de morbis Pestilentibus.

In 1480 the winter was severe.

In 1481 and 3, a most deadly plague infested Italy and Ger|many.

Muratori, vol. 13. Pistorius, vol. 2. 875.

In 1482 a species of pleurisy was epidemic in Italy.

Fracastor. p. 182.

In 1484 the winter was severe.

In 1483 or 5 appeared in England a new species of the plague called Sudor Anglicus, or sweating sickness of the English, be|cause it was supposed to attack none but Englishmen. This however was a mistake; for the same disease, at different times, appeared in Ireland, Germany, Sweden and Holland.

In the life of Erasmus, it is said to have appeared first in 1483, and to have returned in 1485. John Kay••, or Caius, a cotemporary physician, says, it first appeared in 1485 in the

Duke of Richmond's army, on his landing at Milford Haven, in Wales. But on all hands it is agreed to have had its origin in England, and to have been a species of plague. It is called "novum pestilentiae genus," a new kind of pestile••ce; and instead of being peculiar to England or Englishmen, "a B••••••|annis exortum, incredibili celeritate per orbem longe lateque divagatum est;" it originated in Britain, and with incredible ra|pidity spread far and wide over the earth.

Life of Erasmus, 347. Friend's Hist. ••ed. 566.

Sir Thomas More, in a letter to Erasmus, declares this dis|ease in London, Oxford and Cambridge to have been more dangerous than a battle. "Minus periculi in acie, quam in urbe esse."

The summer of 1485 was excessively rainy, and an inunda|tion of the Severn made great havoc with men and cattle.

This disease attacked persons suddenly, with a sensation like that of hot vapor running through the part affected. To this succeeded internal heat, unquenchable thirst, and profuse sweat|ing, which often carried off the patient in two or three hours. The violence of the attack was past in 15 hours, and in 24 hours the patient was considered to be out of danger. It was most fatal to persons in high health and easy condition of life. It was attended with most of the symptoms which characterize the plague—anxiety, restlessness, violent pain in the head, de|lirium and excessive drowsiness.

See the life of John Caius, in Aikins' Biographical Me|moirs of Medicine, p. 120, also Friend's Hist. Phys.

This was a pestilential period, for the plague infested Italy and Germany in 1483, and Denmark in 1484. And it will be found on examination, that when the sweating sickness raged in any part of Europe, that or some other pestilential disease, was in other countries. During the prevalence of this form of the plague in England, at this period, Denmark lost nearly one half of its inhabitants by the common plague; which raged ter|ribly for two years

The author of the Traitè de la Peste, page 23, remarks, "That until the 15th century the plague exhibited the same character; but then "its accidents degenerated," or rather it

reigned a new malady, which, under different external appear|ances, committed similar destruction on the human body. It did not any longer show itself by buboes, carbuncles and pim|ples; nor by any of the eruptions which the heat of the viscera pushes out; nor was the skin withered by the parching dryness which accompanies the carbuncular spots; on the other hand, the skin was inundated by torrents of sweat, which seemed to be po••••d from the whole body, the viscera were dried, and the heat which dissipated the fluids, seemed to disorder all the laws of the animal economy.

About the middle of the 16th century, the plague resumed its former character, but the symptoms somewhat varied and lighter."

The sweating plague at first attacked none but Englishmen. Even Scotchmen escaped, in foreign countries, where English|men were seized. Foreigners in England escaped. This how|ever was on its first invasion in 1485—for, in subsequent years, it spread over other countries. But the fact of its seizing only Englishmen at first, is precisely analagous to what has happened on many other occasions, in other countries. It recurred in England in 1506, 1518, 1528 and 1551.

In 1491 appeared a comet, the season was very wet, an epi|demic swept away cattle, and a famin afflicted Ireland. A se|vere winter is noted in 1493.

Short, vol. 1. Smith's Cork. page 30.

In 1495 and 6 the plague raged in Portugal.

Hist. of Portugal by Osorio.

In 1496 an epidemic leprosy prevailed in Germany, which covered the body with ulcers from head to foot.

Pistorius, vol. 2.

In 1498 the summer was very dry. In 1500 a tempest in Rome did great injury, a comet was visible in Capricorn, an eruption of Vesuvius, and a mortal plague raged which carried off in London 30,000 people. The king for safety retired to Calais. Maitland arranges this plague under the year 1499. This pestilence was preceded by an abundance of provisions.

Short, vol. 1. Maitland's Hist. London.

It is a current opinion that the venereal disease was imported

into Europe by the first adventurers to America, with Colum|bus; and that it gradually spread in Spain; from whence it was carried into Italy by some of the soldiers, who were in the siege of Naples in 1494; thence it was propagated rapidly through|out Europe. This subject will be hereafter considered. It is however remarkable, that an epidemic leprosy spread over Ger|many, about the same time, which seems to indicate an unusual tendency in the human body to ulcerous and scorbutic complaints.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mutius, in the collection of German history, says that the whole year 1348 was southerly, moist weather, but there were no heavy rains to cool the air. Fruit was abundant, but corn was not nutri|c••ous. See vol. 3. 241.—In England the rains continued from May to Christmas.
• * 1.2

  Except eruptions of volcanoes, of which I have no account, at this period except in Iceland in 1340. But my accounts of volcanoes are very imperfect.
• * 1.3

  According to Liber Niger Saccarii, this was in 1401, and this is most probably correct. The period of this comet i•• 34•• years and we shall find it under the year 1744.