Illnesses - Thoughts on Chapter 7

I remember a similar scene in Sense and Sensibility - where one of the leading female characters goes wandering out in the rain, only to be seized by a terrible and dreadful (though avoidable) illness - which goes on to play a major role in getting the character "attached" to a valiant male character. (Are there any thoughts to share about these nineteenth-century illnesses or about Austen's prominent use of them in her novels?)

Whether or not Mrs. Bennet intended for her daughter to become ill, to send Jane off ill-prepared under the likeliest conditions of rain seems highly irresponsible. (Particularly given the medical capabilities of that age in treating such illnesses.) Will anything dissuade Mrs. Bennet, even the health and safety of her daughter, from gaining an edge in this matrimonial matchmaking game?

What comes of her efforts is an illness for Jane. Jane remains at Netherfield overnight. What I find interesting, in the advancement of the plot, is that the conduct of the Bingleys manages to endear them to Elizabeth, who "began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed for Jane."