All these obstacles are indeed great, but to determined and persevering exertion they are not insuperable; and, though we cannot conceal them from ourselves, we should not allow them to daunt our spirit. There is, in Germany, a sufficiency of intellectual power to overcome them; let this power be combined, and exert itself in active co-operation. Sooner or later a new road must be opened for Medical Science. Should the time not yet have arrived, I have at least endeavoured to discharge my duty, by attempting to point out its future direction. CONTENTS. PAGE GENERAL PREFACE v HECKER’S ADDRESS ix THE BLACK DEATH. TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE xxiii PREFACE xxvii CHAPTER I. General Observations 1 CHAPTER II. The Disease 2 CHAPTER III. Causes—Spread 11 CHAPTER IV. Mortality 21 CHAPTER V. Moral Effects 32 CHAPTER VI. Physicians 50 APPENDIX:— I. The Ancient Song of the Flagellants 68 II. Examination of the Jews accused of poisoning the Wells 74 THE DANCING MANIA. TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE 81 PREFACE 85 CHAPTER I. DANCING MANIA IN GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS. Sect. 1.—St. John’s Dance 87 2.—St. Vitus’s Dance 91 3.—Causes 94 4.—More ancient Dancing Plagues 97 5.—Physicians 100 6.—Decline and Termination of the Dancing Plague 103 CHAPTER II. DANCING MANIA IN ITALY.