, 1872-10-12
STARS AND SICKNESS.


Knapp, has put forth 3 curious theory OF the in
fuence Of the planets upon disease. The power
ful effect OF the suns light and heat upon all
life is, OF course, truism. DR.. Knapp main-
taius that its attractive force, when reinforced
almost equally powerful. Changes in that at
tractive force would then produce changes, good
or bsd, in the conditions Of life. The same re-
suit is reached in different way. Health de-
pends, in great part, upon the gravity OF the
atmosphere breathed- On mountain-top, res
pirahon becomes difficult, the head begins
to swim, the limbs lose their strength. a great
pressure of air produces much the same results.
Therefore, again, ANYTHING that affects the gray
ity OF the atmosphere Affects life The attraet-
i've force Of the planet does this The conse-
qnence ia clear. II this theory be true, We
should find that the greatest sickness occurs at
the periods Of greatest disturbance Of the air,
that is, when the planetary attraction is great-
est This happens when the planets are nearest
the sun Their forces Of gravitation are then com
blned; sudden change takes place in one Of the
most essential conditions Of life and animals
and plants die. The supposition explains the
blghts in vegetation that usually precede and
accompany epidemics. Some curious statistics
are submitted, in an attempt to show that the
facts OF the past verify the new theory Jupiter
is nearest the SUI; that is, reaches his peri
helion about every twelfth year. His late dates
have been 1868, 1885, 1845, 1883, 1921, 1809 1871,
and 1785. Every one OF these has been cholera
year for India, and time ofpestlence throughout
the world. It is also claimed that every twelfth
year, as far back as 1872, has been fruitful in
epidemic Sickness Saturn revolGea in little
less than 291< years. He passed his perihelion
in 1885, 1926. 1887, 1767, etc. His disturbing in
auence, although less &han that of Jupiter, must
greatly strengthen the latter, whenever their
perihelia coincide. Every 50 years this happens.
It happened in 1856 and in 1897. In the former,
the yellow fever did it's deadliest work st New
Orleans. In 1916, at the time OF Jupltar.s peri
helion. the Irish ship-fever began it's ravages.
Il Was succeeded by the cholera, which eliminated
in 1856 Going back to 1887, We find that the
yellow fever then visited every sea-port OF the
United States, while the cholera ragged in Hin
dostan, and sickness was prevalent everywhere.
By such statistics, Dr.. Knapp essays to prove
his theory. He Comes near enough doing so to
make us wish that he lad suffered Us to keep
tue bliss Of Ignorance instead OF revealing the
fact that Jupiter will reach his next perihelion
in 1880; that Jupiter and Saturn will meet in
1881; that Uranus and Neptune Tin hare
coincident perihelia in 1882; and that the next
perihelian passage OF Saturn Will be in 1885. |
The prospect for continual change in our tickle |
atmosphere and consequent continual disease il
certainly fair:-h e very important - the the
ory is true. There has seemed to be small dan |
eer of the days OF star-worship coming back |
again. But every religion il, according to
Lecky, founded on fear. II we must perforce !
be afraid OF the planets perielia we at least lay
the foundation Of the long-forgotten faith.