In a message dated 1/9/2006 11:52:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, leo@possi.org writes: The louse-spread diseases spread much more easily when weather is very cold and people huddle together to keep warm. So, the cold weather did contribute. Napoleon had lost almost 65% of his half million member invasion force by September 7 (Battle of Borodino), prior to the cold weather setting in. Anyone who has been in the armed forces knows that soldiers are continually in close proximity to other soldiers, cold weather was not a significant factor in the spread of louse vectored diseases during the 1812 campaign. See Minard's famous statistical graphic chart in Tufte's first book or on the web at: http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/posters/ Mark Mazer Intarsia Ltd. Gaylordsville, Connecticut 06755-0142 USA