venomous teeth, and put there for the purpose; and this you may prove, as I have often done, by killing the snake, and examining it, by which you will exasperate the man exceedingly.'

That the snake-charmers may often act thus, no one will doubt; but it is no proof that they have not the power of drawing wild snakes from their retreats. Mr. Forbes, in his "Oriental Memoirs, appears disposed to grant that they have the power in question, through the influence of music: and Dr. Shaw states, that a belief in the influence of songs, muttered incantations, and sentences written on scrolls, upon venomous snakes, prevailed in Barbary wherever he travelled. That these men break the venom teeth out, by way of precaution, is admitted; but yet accidents often arise, for in a little time these teeth are renewed. Mr. Johnson states, that a man exhibited a tame dancing cobra before a large party. "A boy, about sixteen years old, was teazing the animal to make it bite him, which it actually did, and to some purpose, for in an hour afterwards he died of the bite. The father of the boy was astonished, and protested it could not be from the bite, that the snake had no venomous teeth, and that he and the boy had often been bitten by it before, without any bad effect. On examining the snake, it was found that the former fangs were replaced by new ones, then not far out of the jaw, but sufficient to bite the boy. The old man said he never saw or heard of such a circumstance before."

With regard, however, to the power of music on the cobra, the following original communication in the "Penny Magazine" is very conclusive. The writer assures us, that he received the narrative from a gentleman of high station in the hon. East India Company's civil service, at Madras, a man of undoubted veracity. It is as follows:-"One morning, as I sat at breakfast, I heard a loud noise and shouting amongst my palankeen bearers. On inquiry, I found that they had seen a large hooded snake, (cobra da capello,) and were trying to kill it. I immediately went out, and saw the snake climbing up a very high green mound, whence it escaped into an old wall of an ancient fortification. The men were armed with their sticks, which they always carry in their hands, and had attempted in vain to kill the reptile, which had eluded their pursuit: in its hole it had coiled itself up secure, whilst we could see its bright

eyes shining. I had often desired to ascertain the truth of the report, as to the effect of music upon the snakes, I therefore inquired for a snake-catcher. I was told there was no person of that kind in the village; but after a little inquiry, I heard there was one in a village distant three miles. I accordingly sent for him, keeping strict watch over the snake, which never attempted to escape, whilst we, its enemies, were in sight. About an hour elapsed, when my messenger returned, bringing a snake-catcher. This man wore no covering on his head, nor any on his person, excepting a small piece of cloth round his loins. He had in his hands two baskets, one containing tame snakes, one empty. These, and his musical pipe, were the only things he had with him: I made the snake-catcher leave his two baskets on the ground at some distance, while he ascended the mound with his pipe alone. He began to play. At the sound of music, the snake came gradually and slowly out of its hole. When it was entirely within reach, the snake-catcher seized it dexterously by the tail, and held it thus at arm's length; whilst the snake, enraged, darted its head in all directions, but in vain : thus suspended, it has not the power to round itself, so as to seize hold of its tormentor.

"It exhausted itself in vain exertions, when the snake-catcher descended the bank, dropped it into the empty basket, and closed the lid. He then began to play, and after a short time, raised the lid of the basket; the snake darted about wildly, and attempted to escape; the lid was shut down again quickly, the music always playing. This was repeated two or three times; and in a very short interval, the lid being raised, the snake sat on its tail, opened its hood, and danced as quietly as the tame snakes in the other basket, nor did it again attempt an escape. This, having witnessed with my own eyes, I can assert as a fact."*

From the earliest ages, snake-charmers have existed in the east; they were believed to possess some secret magical influence over these reptiles, to be capable of controlling them by charms, or incant

* Mr. Schomberg states, in reference to a lizard (Anolius bullaris) common in the West Indies, that "they are often caught by boys, who take advantage of their fondness for musical sounds, arresting their attention, and then throwing a little noose over their head," as they perch, in a listening attitude on the branches of the trees. See Linn. Trans., vol. xvii. page 560.

ations, and even to cure persons who had unfortunately been subjected to their bite. Among the most celebrated, were the Psylli, a people of Cyrenaica, (a region in Africa abounding in reptiles,) who were reported to possess a natural and inherent power over snakes, which Pliny supposed to be dependent on some peculiar odour in their persons, which these animals abhorred. Lucan, in his "Pharsalia," describes the method adopted by these snake-charmers of preventing the Roman camp from becoming infested with them. They marched around it, chanting mystic sounds; but in addition to these incantations, as night drew on, they kept up fires around the encampment. By magic songs they also pretended to cure such of the soldiers as were bitten, first rubbing the wound with saliva; but when they perceived the symptoms of danger increase, they sucked the venom from the wound.

That these Psylli possessed no power beyond what the serpent-catchers of the east at present possess, need scarcely be asserted. They knew, by long experience, the habits of the reptiles, their character, their virulence; and by practice how to manage them: but they, as well as the present "charmers," pretended to more than they really could perform, and made a profit by their juggling.

In the east, charmers, or snake-catchers, make an exhibition of their tame serpents, the poison teeth of which are removed, and also rid houses of these reptiles; for houses are often infested by them, especially when the walls are old, and full of crevices. In both instances, the music of a pipe, or the notes of a small drum, allure the animal from its hiding place. A learned native of India assured Sir W. Jones, that he had frequently seen the most venomous and malignant snakes leave their holes upon hearing notes from a flute, which, as he supposed, gave them peculiar delight. In the "Missionary Magazine" for March, 1837, Mr. Gogerly, a missionary in India, states, that some incredulous persons, after the most careful precautions against any trick or artifice being played, sent a charmer into the garden to prove his powers. "The man began playing upon his pipe, and proceeding from one part of the garden to another for some minutes, stopped at a part of the wall much injured by age, and intimated that a serpent was within. He then played quicker, and his notes were

louder; when almost immediately a large cobra da capello put forth its hooded head; and the man fearlessly ran to the spot, seized it by the throat, and drew it forth. He then showed the poison-fangs, and beat them out; afterwards, it was taken to the room where his baskets were left, and deposited among the rest." We have here an instance, not only of the power which these men have of drawing forth snakes from their retreats, but of knowing where they lie hidden, and that without seeing them. Mr. Lane suspects, that they discover the presence of serpents by the smell; and this may be true. It may, however, be by the ear; for while others are listening to the music, the charmer may be listening for the slight rustle, the gentle noise which the reptile roused by the notes would make, as he moved in his hole, and which would betray his presence to the charmer's practised ear.

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Besides the music of pipes, or other instruments, the Egyptian charmers also employ vocal sounds, and a form of words, in order to draw the animals forth. "The charmer," says Mr. Lane, assumes an air of mystery, strikes the walls with a short palm stick, whistles, makes a clucking noise with his tongue, and generally says, 'I adjure you by God, if ye be above, or if ye be below, that ye come forth; I adjure you by the most great name, if ye be obedient, come forth, and if ye be disobedient, die, die, die!"" The effect produced on the serpent is not by the adjuration, but, certainly, by the knocking, and the whistling, and the clucking sounds, which experience has led the man to know will influence the snake; while the adjuration will produce its intended effect on the bystanders.

Serpent-charmers, when bitten, die like other men; and accidents of this kind sometimes happen. Roberts mentions the case of a serpent-charmer in India, who came to a gentleman's house to exhibit tame snakes. He was told, that a cobra was in a cage in the house, and was asked if he could charm it. He replied in the affirmative. The serpent was released from the cage, and, doubtless, in a state of great irritation; the man began his incantations, and repeated his charms: they, however, produced no effect on the snake; it refused to hear the voice of the charmer; it darted at him, and fastened upon his arm. He was dead before night.

With respect to the exhibition of tame serpents, which are common in the east, Mr. Gogerly says, that "taking out (of their baskets) eight or ten different kinds, they cast them on the ground. The animals immediately make off in different directions. The sap-wullah (snakecharmer) then applies his pipe to his mouth, and sends forth a few of his peculiar notes, and all the serpents stop as though enchanted; they then turn towards the musician, and approaching him within two feet, raise their heads from the ground, and bending backward and forward, keep time with the tune. When he ceases playing, they drop their heads, and remain quiet on the ground." In the practices of the modern serpentcharmers of the east, we perceive the force and propriety of the allusion in the Holy Scriptures; and from which we learn, both that snakes were anciently objects of peculiar dread, and that men then practised the same arts of charming them, as in the present day.

HINTS ON HEALTH, FOUNDED ON
PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS.
No. I.

THE science of physiology, embracing as it does a most extensive range of objects, all exhibiting a nearly endless diversity of phenomena, preconcerted arrangements, exquisitely contrived adaptations, and conspicuous proofs of beneficent design, is calculated, in every branch of it to which we may direct our attention, to impress us with wonder and amazement at the power, and wisdom, and goodness of God. "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Happy the individual, who, with filial confidence, the result of a well-grounded assurance that the "Former of all things" is his "portion," his Father, his Friend, can add with the Psalmist, "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord."

But it is, moreover, a science intimately connected with our present welfare. By a diligent examination of the phenomena of life, we arrive at a correct knowledge of the laws which regulate these phenomena. And health, with all its varied enjoyments-the opportunity which it affords for intellectual and moral improvement, and the ability which it imparts for the performance of those duties by which it is the will of God that we should glorify him and serve our

generation-is the result of the unimpeded exercise of these laws. They cannot be violated with impunity. It is chiefly by removing obstacles out of the way of their ordinary operation that medical science is efficient in the treatment of disease, when it occurs. It is more especially by the attentive observation of them that its inroads may be averted with any probability of success. We often say familiarly, that "prevention is better than cure;" but the extent of the applicability of this common adage to the case of our physical well-being, is perhaps far too little estimated. In the event of disease, there is still, it is true, an exquisite power left in the animal body, for the reparation of injury; and to be enabled to assist its exercise by the skilful adaptation of suitable means, is no small blessing. But if the powers of life themselves, and more particularly the relations between living bodies and the agencies which surround and act upon them, can be proved to be subject to certain laws; and if, by diligently interrogating these, means can be pointed out whereby morbid action may be altogether obviated, health not only retained, but invigorated, and nauseous potions and torturing operations superseded, it must be admitted that there is placed in our possession a boon of still greater magnitude.

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten." Placed in the most favourable circumstances, man hastens to decay, till "the silver cord is loosed" and "the golden bowl is broken," and "the dust returns unto the earth as it was; and the spirit unto God who gave it." But how few attain even unto this allotted period. Of our own population, considerably above half die under twenty-five years of age, nearly three-fourths under the age of forty, and considerably above threefourths under that of forty-five. Now, making every allowance for the various casualties by which so many of our fellowimmortals are hurried out of time into eternity, it becomes a serious question, and one of deep interest, whether this early mortality is the necessary result of the circumstances in which man is placed in the present world. The only direct dictum of revelation upon the subject appears to be the one just mentioned, and this certainly does not lead to such a conclusion. "The days of our years are threescore years and ten." Is there, then, anything traceable in the structure, or resulting from the ordinary play of the func

tions of this fearful and wonderful frame, | which, in the majority of instances, compels the curse to be thus antedated? To a certain extent, the violation of the laws of the animal economy is, we know, indissolubly connected with a violation of those "moral laws," to the keeping of which is attached "the promise of the life that now is ;" and thus, to a fearful extent, are disease and death incurred, as the direct wages of sin. But subtracting even the influence of this cause, is it not to be feared that the same result is to a great extent still brought about in a less guilty, but no less certain manner, by ignorance or inattention to these physical laws, which it is as obviously our duty as it is our privilege to understand and comply with, not only on our own account, but on that of all who are dependent upon us? Facts are not wanting upon this important subject. They are perpetually accumulating, and the more or less established generalizations deducible from them become increasingly worthy of attention. The feebleness of the powers of life in infancy, and the difficulty of altogether obviating, by any known means, the consequences of hereditary predisposition to disease, would seem to be circumstances, in the present state of our knowledge, calculated, more than any other, almost necessarily to shorten life. Yet even these may be proved to be very much under control, if only measures be carried out in accordance with these laws, and not in opposition to them.

It may not be easy to bring individual cases to the test of demonstrative evidence. So much power does the animal body possess, in consequence of the beautiful and beneficent provision already alluded to, to resist as well as to repair injury, that upon scarcely any individual case can we lay our finger, and say that such or such an event would necessarily have occurred had not the preventive measure been adopted. But in public institutions -in any case where large numbers of persons of similar age, and placed in the same circumstances, are congregated together, and especially in the public service results are more easily arrived at. To a few such facts, by way of illustration, and to convey to our readers at a glance the importance of the subject, we will now advert. In some subsequent numbers, it is our intention to give some illustration of the more important of the physical laws to which we allude, in accordance with which the animal body is

constructed, and by the regulation of which its functions are developed and exercised; as well as a condensed statement of the practical hints deducible therefrom. We may add, in passing, that it is satisfactory to find that the influence of the advance of science in this particular has already been so far felt, that the most accurate statistical details show an increasing diminution in the rate of mortality, in the case of large cities, to a very considerable amount. About half a century ago, the annual number of deaths in England and Wales were, to the population, about one in forty; now they are, at most, one in fifty. In London, at the same period, the number was as considerable as nearly one in twenty of the inhabitants; it is now estimated to be one in forty.

It was noticed, a few years since, by some physiologists in France, that in consequence of the custom of conveying infants, within a few hours of their birth, to the office of the mayor of the commune, in order that their birth might be registered, a considerable mortality took place. It was discovered, upon more particular observation, that the proportion of deaths, within a very limited period after birth, was much greater in winter than in summer; in the northern and colder, than in the southern and warmer departments; and in parishes where the inhabitants were scattered over a large surface of ground, than in others where they were more closely congregated round the mayor. Now, it is a well-ascertained fact, that the power of producing heat, in warm-blooded animals, is at its minimum at birth, and increases gradually to adult age. Infants, therefore, at this early period, have very little capability of resisting a diminution of temperature; and it was simply from the neglect of this undeviating law of the animal system, that the mortality was incurred.

The following facts exhibit the result either of the neglect of, or of attention to one or more laws, exceedingly simple; but as these will be better understood after we have entered into some little explanation of the structure and functions of the animal body, we will at present confine ourselves to a bare recital of the facts alone.

A hundred years ago, when the pauper infants of London were received and brought up in the workhouses existing at that time, not above one in twenty-four lived to be a year old; so that, out of

two thousand eight hundred annually re- | ceived, two thousand six hundred and ninety died. By subsequent arrangements, the mortality was reduced to four hundred and fifty out of the same number. On the 13th of September, 1740, Anson set sail from England in the Centurion, sixty guns, four hundred men, accompanied by the Gloucester, fifty guns, three hundred men; the Pearl, forty guns, two hundred and fifty men; the Wager, twenty-eight guns, one hundred and sixty men; the Tryal sloop, eight guns, one hundred men; and two victuallers. By the time they arrived at Brazil, the crews were remarkably sickly, so that many died, and a great number were confined to their hammocks. On anchoring at St. Catherine's, eighty patients were sent on shore from the Centurion alone, of whom twenty-eight soon died, and the number of sick increased to ninety-six. After a tedious navigation round Cape Horn, scurvy carried off forty-three men in the month of April, and double that number in May, 1741. Those who remained became dispirited, and we are told that this general dejection added to the virulence of the disease, and the mortality increased to a frightful degree. On the 9th of June, when in sight of Juan Fernandez, the debility of the people was so great, that, two hundred being already dead, the lieutenant could only muster two quartermasters and six foremast men able for duty in the middle watch, so that had it not been for the assistance of the servants, officers, etc., they would have been unable to have reached the island to such a condition was the crew of four hundred men reduced in a few months! A Spanish squadron which sailed at the same time, lost three hundred and ninety-two out of four hundred men. Let us compare these results with those of the following expeditions. On the 13th of July, 1772, Captain Cooke embarked on his second voyage. Towards the end of August, when advancing in the same southerly direction, he met with the most unhealthy weather; yet, on arriving at the Cape of Good Hope, only one sick man was on the list. On the 22nd of November, Cooke proceeded to sail in search of a southern continent, and after much unhealthy weather, and encountering, in particular, sudden changes from heat to cold, and after many hardships and dangers, they arrived at Dusky Bay, New Zealand. Still, there was only one man affected by scurvy, and in him

it was chiefly occasioned by a bad habit of body, and a complication of other disorders. In his last voyage, Cooke brought home his ship, after an absence of four years, without the loss of a single man by disease. Lord Nelson, in consequence of adopting the same measures, spent three years on the West India station without losing a single life by disease. In the more recent expeditions to the northern regions, the Fury and Hecla were at one time no less than twenty-seven months entirely dependent on their own resources before a case of scurvy appeared, and at the end of twenty-eight months and a half both ships returned home (September, 1823) with the loss of only five men, a result which a century ago could not have occurred.

In the year 1805, a French army, which was stationed on the coast in the neighbourhood of Boulogne, marched about four hundred leagues, to join the grand army, before the battle of Austerlitz, which it effected, leaving hardly any sick in the hospitals on the route. In the campaign of 1809, the troops cantoned in the north of Germany marched to Vienna; but by the time they arrived at their place of destination, all the hospitals on the road were filled with sick.

In the summer of 1811, a low typhoid fever broke out in the 4th battalion of Royals, then quartered at Stirling Castle. In many instances, violent inflammation of the lungs supervened, and the result of the two diseases was generally fatal. In other apartments of the same barracks, at the same time, in consequence of different arrangements, no such diseases occurred.

In the year 1823-1824 there was an extraordinary prevalence of disease in the Penitentiary at Milbank-intractable affections of the bowels, and other insidious forms of disease. Few of the prisoners escaped, and a parliamentary inquiry into the causes was ordered. What those causes were was pointed out from the fact, not only that the officers of the prison and about thirty of the prisoners who were less exposed to them enjoyed immunity, but by the rapid convalescence of almost every one, out of six hundred and thirty-five, on being removed to Woolwich and to the Regent's Park, and supplied with a different diet.

As lately as the middle of the last century, ague was so prevalent in many parts of Britain, that it was looked upon as a kind of necessary evil, from which