I was present, not long since, at the Dissection of a Child about 5 or 6 Year old, who dyed of the frequent returns of Nephritic Fits, attended with Vomitings and a Diarrhæa. The Kidneys and Ureters were quite stuffed with a slimy calculous Matter, and it was very instructive to see the different degrees of Concretion in the several parts of it, from a clear limpid Water, to a hard friable Substance. Dr. Groenvelt, who had tended
the Boy in his Illness, observed him to be seized with his Pains at every Full Moon for several Months together, which generally ended with the voiding of a Stone.
What Influence the Moon has in Asthma's,[38] van Helmont takes Notice, Exacerbatur Paroxysmus (says he) Lunæ Stationibus, & ævi tempestatibus quas ideo præsentit & præsagit.[39] And Sir John Floyer, who has given us a more particular History of this Disease than any Author, observes, that The Fits usually return once in a Fortnight, and frequently happen near the Change of the Moon.
'Tis a more uncommon Effect of this Attractive Power that is related by the Learned Kerckringius.[40] He knew a Young Gentlewoman, whose Beauty depended upon the Lunar Force, insomuch that at Full Moon she was Plump and very Handsome, but in the decrease of the Planet so Wan and ill Favoured, that she was asham'd to go abroad till the return of the New Moon gave Fullness to her Face, and Attraction to her Charms.
Tho' this is indeed no more than an Influence of the same kind, with that the Moon has always been observed to have upon Shell-Fish, and some other living Creatures. For as the old Latin Poet Lucilius says,[41]
And after him Manilius[42]
It is very well worth the pains to enquire what share such an Alteration in the Weight and Pressure of the Atmosphere may have in the Crises or Changes of Acute Diseases. The Ancients made great Account of