CHAP. 1. (1.)—NEW FORMS OF DISEASE.

THE face of man has recently been sensible of new forms of disease, unknown[1] in ancient times, not only to Italy, but to almost the whole of Europe. Still, however, they have not as yet extended to the whole of Italy, nor have they made any very great inroads in Illyricum, Gaul, or Spain, or indeed any other parts, to so great an extent as in Rome and its environs. Though unattended with pain, and not dangerous to life, these diseases are of so loathsome a nature, that any form of death would be preferable to them.

1. probably as littré suggests, a peculiar form of elephantiasis the leprosy of middle ages