BLAST or BLASTINGS are by some supposed owing to cold; by others to the want of a due supply of sap; by others to ascending fumes of the earth; by others to sharp winds and frosts, immediately succeeding rains. That species called uredines or free-blasts, is supposed by Mr Hales owing to the solar rays reflected from or condensed in the clouds, or even collected by the dense steams in hop gardens and other places. The effect of them is to wither, shrivel, scorch, turn black, and as it were burn up the leaves, blossoms, and fruits of trees, shrubs, herbs, grass, corn, even for whole tracts of ground.
Physicians also speak of a kind of blasts affecting human bodies, and causing erysipelas, pallies, &c.