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extracting a tooth by means of the forceps,but whether they be superior to the keyinstrument, the award being in favour ofthat which has been attended with the

greatest number of successful operations,always supposing the experiment to havebeen made with an equal number of cases ;with this view of the subject, let me ask,whether any of the advocates for perpendi-cular extraction (as they are pleased toterm it) will venture to submit to such atrial as I now propose, having first atten-tively read my statements, and being al.lowed the extensive privilege of using anyinstrument whatever that grasps the toothbetween two edges, or claws, will they con-sent to divide with me, equally and equi-tably, a given number of patients requiringthe extraction of molar teeth, however de-cayed they may be (but not loose), and willthey agree that publicity be given to thedefeat that must inevitably await so hope-less an attempt 2As to those sciolists who are not yet

awakened from the delightful dream of theirinfallible pincers, if they expect to succeed,their first object must be to contrive, thatthe teeth of the rising generation shall be soimproved, both in their form and texture, i

that they no longer cling to their socketswith such persevering tenacity, nor conti-nue so provokingly brittle, as to present thehitherto insurmountable barrier to their

darling enterprise.I remain yours, &c.

- J. P. DE LA FONS.

14, George Street, Hanover Square.

ON EPIDEMICS.

By Dr. FORSTEH, of Chelmsford.

To the Editor of THE LANCET

SIR,—Observing, in a late Number, someobservations on the pestilence at Alexan-

dria, and also on the epidemic raging at

Paris, I hasten to communicate to you someremarks I have made on epidemy in gene-ral, as they may serve as a hint to help theinquiries of the medical committee nowengaged in an investigation of the subject atParis, who, no doubt, see your widely-ex-

tended miscellany. After a laborious in-

vestigation of the progressive symptomsand topological history of epidemic andpestilential diseases, which have for manyyears engaged my attention, I find 1 am

capable of drawing the following generalconclusions :—

1. That epidemic disorders, including avery large class of complaints not hithertoreckoned epidemics, owe their origin to

peculiar conditions of the atmosphere, whichhappen at incalculable periods, from time totime, in every part of the world, having aparticular range and term of duration.

2. That the above is the grand excitingcause of pestilence and epidemy of everysort; while the circumstance, that it is onlya portion of the population on which the

epidemic bane (the &tgr;&ogr; &thgr;∈i&ogr;&ngr; of antiquity)falls, leads me naturally to look for the pre-

disponent causes necessary to the disease, inpeculiar conditions of the individual consti-tutions of the patients. Contagion andinoculation, as adjunct means of propagation,only apply to a few varieties of epidemics,as plague, small-pox, &c.; and even inthese disorders are to be considered as acci-dental, and feeble sources of the spread ofthe disease, compared with the irradiatingprogressive motion of the atmospherical ex-citant over extensive districts.

3. That this atmospherical poison, vari-ous as it is at different times, is closely con-nected with electric changes perpetuallygoing on in the air, but which are aided andmodified by innumerable forms of malaria,which constitutes a sort of interventionalmedium, through which the morbific powerof the electrical excitant is exerted. Ihave by me, an immense and authenticcatalogue of epidemics.To the development of the existing rela-

tion between the exciting and the predis-panent causes of disorders of the class I alludeto, I have devoted much time ; and I had,in your LANCET, announced a small work onthis subject, which owing to a trifling delayin the printing-office, arising from my badcaligraphy, (or, rather, calegraphy,) is not

yet ready for publication, but which willappear in a week or two. In this I shall

fully develop the truth of my opinion re-

specting the atmospherical origin of fever, theinflammatory nature of the predisponent; andwhile I can show that, for the latter, theantiphlogistic treatment is the only rationalone, it will appear that Hippocrates and theancients were right, in relying on change ofair as the permanent remedy. Meanwhile,as there is an inquiry going on of so im-

portant a nature, I feel disposed to antici-pate thus much for the use of those whohave more time, means, and ability, to pur-sue it, than I have at present.

I am, Sir,Yours truly,

T. FORSTER.

Chelmsford, January, 1820.