[Medical bioclimatology: aspects of the historical evolution, with special reference to the contribution of Piedmontese scientists].

A short historical review on medical-meteorological and environmental research is presented. It is particularly stressed the contribution by piedmontese scientists of the XVIII century to investigations about the atmospheric electricity (Beccaria and Gardini) and the relations between diseases and atmospheric factors (Somis, Vassalli Eandi, Mullatera).