Dr Blagden also saw a difficulty in “the prodigious quantity of matter required in the air to infect the space not only of the Chinese land, but to a hundred leagues of the coast, or, as in this instance [1782] all Europe and the circumjacent sea,” and was accordingly driven to Arbuthnot’s view of an origin in the unusual weather of each locality.
Webster drew up a chronological table of influenzas in either Hemisphere, with the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, comets, etc., to suit[759]. A few instances from near the beginning may serve as samples:
1647. First catarrh mentioned in American annals, in the same year with violent earthquakes in South America, and a comet.
1655. Influenza in America, in the same year with violent earthquakes in South America and an eruption of Vesuvius. It began about the end of June.
1658. Influenza in Europe after a severe winter: the summer cool.
1675. Influenza in Europe while Etna was still in a state of explosion: the winter mild.
1679-80. Influenza in Europe during or just after the eruption of Etna: the season wet: a comet.
1688. Influenza in Europe in the same year with an eruption of Vesuvius, after a severe winter, and earthquakes: it began in a hot summer.
1693. Influenza in Europe in the same year with an eruption in Iceland and great earthquakes: the season cool.
1697-98. Influenza in America after a great earthquake in Peru: a comet the same year: the winter severe.