The epidemic of 1762 called forth the opinion of Baker, emphasizing an opinion already expressed by Whytt, that the origin of epidemic disease is not due to changeable winds nor to their nature or character as recorded by the barometer. This epidemic also prevailed over all Europe and appears to have begun following sharp alterations of cold and moisture. In 1766 in Spain, France and other parts of Europe the epidemic appears to have begun after a warm summer, followed by an autumn moist and cold. In 1767 Heberden placed on record his observations during this period, but nothing new was reported. In 1775 the disease began in Germany in the summer after a dry and warm spring and spread over all Europe. During the prevalence of the disease in 1775 a questionnaire was sent to the leading English physicians, and letters from Fothergill, Sir John Pringle, Heberden, Reynolds and others seemed to express a consensus of opinion that weather conditions had nothing to do with the prevalence or spread of the disease, and that the cause and reason for its spread were unknown. Following sharp alterations in temperature in 1780, the disease appeared in France and then throughout the world. The epidemic of 1782 began in Russia, starting January 2 at St. Petersburg. The thermometer underwent a variation of 40 degrees and the same day 4,000 were afflicted with La Grippe. It reached Koenigsburg in March, Copenhagen in April, London in May, France in June and July, Italy in July and August, Spain and Portugal in August and September, and then reached America. Edward Gray, writing of the epidemic of 1782 for the first time, expressed emphatically his opinion on the contagiousness of the disease and stated what we now know—that close contact is necessary. To him also is attributed the opinion first mentioned by him, that there is a possibility of carriers in this disease. During this time Dr. Hamilton, in a published letter, protested against venesection in influenza, a practice long prevalent, and Hogarth called attention to the fact that the disease began in cities and villages first and that it was brought to these places by visitors from without.