SECTION VIII.

_Of Preservation from a Pestilence._

IT is manifestly much more adviseable to keep off the Invasion of a

Pestilence, than to stand its violent and fatal Shocks; and

Self-Preservation, as well as the Example of all other wise People,

admonishes us to use all possible Endeavours to keep it from us, and guard

our selves against it while at a Distance. This Part therefore concerning

our Preservation from a Pestilence, regards both the Duty of the

Magistrate, and the Care of every Individual; that is to say, it is the

Magistrate’s Duty, that when the Nature and peculiar Qualities of this

Disease are known, and reported by Physicians, such Laws should be

provided, as might best conduce to prevent its Spreading, if not to its

utter Extirpation.

_FIRST_ of all therefore, they ought to be deemed as a kind of Traitors,

who frighten the credulous Populace with the Apprehensions of an

approaching Plague, by idle and groundless Reports and Predictions; for

the Propagation of the late Sickness was too notoriously assisted by this

Means, to want any Arguments to prove it.

THE timely Separation also of the infected from the well, is absolutely

necessary to be done; because the most sure Way of spreading it, is

letting the sick and well converse together. Publick Funerals ought to be

forbid, as also all kinds of Meetings, and frequent Intercourses of

several Persons together: An Injunction also of Quarentine from infected

Places, according to the Custom of Trading Nations, is by any Means not to

be omitted, and carefully to be executed.

ALTHOUGH it is looked upon as almost impossible by the most artful

Contrivances, and the most prudent Councils, to avoid the Influence of a

common Cause; yet the Call of Nature, and the Laws of Self-preservation,

demand our utmost Diligence and Labour, both in publick and private, to

prevent the Encroachment of such a subtile and cruel Destroyer. And it was

certainly to this purpose a wise Contrivance of the Magistrates, to

constitute two in every Parish daily to visit every Family, and be

satisfied whether every one belonging thereunto was well, and free from

any Infection.

BUT both the Ancients and Moderns have taken the utmost Pains in

contriving to purge the Air, on a Supposition that, in a pestilential

Contagion, that is _substantially_ infected: But as the Air, as before

demonstrated, is only the Lodgment or Vehicle to the pestilential

_Miasmata_, which are every Way agitated in it, it does not seem so much

to want Depuration on its own Account, as that poisonous Mixture which is

joined with it. Indeed the pestilential Particles residing in the

Porosities of the Air, may often, without any Change of Figure, for Want

of due Agitation, remain and stagnate in it a long Time, so as to be drawn

in by the Lungs in Inspiration, and hence from the intimate Mixture and

Confusion as it were of both, a Suspicion may be entertained of the Taint

coming from a Corruption of Air; but of this we have said enough already;

and as howsoever this Matter is, a Purgation of the Air is by common

Consent called for on all Sides in these Cases, we shall consider this

Matter, chiefly in these two Respects.

_FIRST_, That the pestilential _Seminium_ be dislodged; and to this

Purpose contribute brisk Winds, especially from the _North_, and the

frequent Explosions of great Guns, in the Morning and Evening chiefly;

because such Concussions agitate the poisonous _Miasmata_, and not only

help to dissipate them; but to change and alter them in those particular

Configurations whereby they become so noxious; and it hath been attested

by Experience, that an intimate Combination of _Nitre_ and _Sulphur_

greatly alters the saline Qualities of the pestilential Taint.

_SECONDLY_, The utmost Diligence is to be used to prevent the pestilential

Particles from taking Effect; which is succesfully done by proper

Fumigations. _Hippocrates_, the Oracle in Physick, hath left it to

Posterity, to kindle Fires in the publick Streets; and these sometimes I

conceive may do good; but not as some will have it, by absorbing the

pestiferous Humidities, but by diffusing on all Sides a great deal of

_Nitre_, which gives a considerable Change to the venomous _Miasmata_; I

judge it best therefore that such Fires should be made of resinous Woods,

which throw out a clear and unctious Smell, such as _Juniper_, _Fir_,

_Oak_, _Ash_, _Elm_, _Chesnut_, &c. but by no Means Coals, which exhale an

impure, fetid, and suffocating Sulphur.

BY the Care of the Magistrate also the Streets, Sinks, and Canals, should

daily be cleared of all Filth; because Stench and Nastiness are justly

reckoned the Entertainers of Infection, and we find the Air to be

corrupted frequently from noisome Smells; so that the pestilential Venom

cannot but receive additional Strength from such Means.

BUT to be yet more particular about these Fumigations, both to mend the

Air, and refresh the Houses that have been infected, they must be composed

of such Things as raise and comfort the Spirits that were languishing,

with their grateful Flavours; for refreshing Smells are a kind of natural

_Pabulum_ to the animal Spirits; or they should be of such Substances as

by their gummy Viscidity entangle and cover the venomous _Spicula_, so

that they cannot act; or, lastly, of such Things as breath out such

nitrous Steams, which will either preserve our Bodies from receiving

Impurities, or change the Nature of the infectious Particles.

I do not indeed deny, but some ungrateful Smells may be sometimes more

convenient than sweet ones, as they fix those Spirits which would

otherwise exhale; and a copious Efflux of saline Particles will often keep

them from Infection and Injury. But to reduce these into Classes.

The _Simples_ of the first Class are _Musk_, _Civet_, _Amomum_,

_Lavender_, _Rosemary_, _Roses_, _Angelica_, _Marjoram_, _Cloves_,

_Rhodium Wood_, _Aloes Wood_, &c. Of the second, _Frankincense_,

_Benjamin_, _Storax_, _Bdellium_, _Labdanum_, _Pitch_, _Sagapenum_,

_Myrrh_, &c. Of the third Class, _Sulphur_ and _Nitre_, more of which

hereafter.

BUT further, that all the Means of propagating the Plague may be removed,

it is very wisely ordered by the Magistracy, to kill all Dogs, Cats, and

other domestick Brutes, lest these Creatures in their Passage from one

Place to another should carry along with them the pestilential Infection.

YET although both the Makers and Executors of the Laws were very diligent

in their Duty during the late Sickness, the Contagion notwithstanding

spread; when therefore all the Care and Skill of the Magistrate could

avail nothing in stopping the common Destroyer, the utmost Application was

made to preserve the Individuals under its Visitation: For which Purpose,

first of all were removed all Means of rendering our Bodies more subject

to take the Infection, and the best Care taken to fortifie the

Constitution against its Attacks, and to support it under its Tyranny.

I know not indeed a greater Neglect than in not keeping the Body clean,

and keeping at a Distance every Thing superfluous or offensive; and during

the pestilential Constitution nothing was worse than Evacuations of all

Kinds: But if a _Plethora_ required _Phlebotomy_, the Blood should be

taken away by a small Orifice, in but little Quantity, and at several

Times: A Person loaded with bad Humours, should be discharged of them, if

possible, immediately; if they glut the Stomach, and first Passages, they

ought to be thrown off by Vomiting, Drinking in the Operation good

Quantities of Posset-Drink, in which hath been boiled the Leaves of

_Carduus_ and _Scordium_; and also the Bowels should be cleansed, to which

Purpose the following is useful:

_Salis Tart. +℈ ij.+ F. Solutio in spir. vini opt. +℥ ij.+ tum adde guttæ

gambi +℈ iv.+ peractâ solutione evaporetur spir. tum adde colocynth. cum

urinâ præp. +℈ ij.+ scammaii, Sulphurati +℈ j.+ Aloes, rosatæ +ʒ ij.+

trochisc. de rhabarb. rec. +℈ iv.+ gum. ammoniaci in aceto, scil. sobuti

+ʒ j.+ salis absynthii, cardui ana +℈ j.+ ol. carui gutt. +vij.+ cum s. q.

Syr. de rhamno F. massa, inde pilulæ, min. formentur, Dos. ad +℈ ij.+_ And

thus to throw off those Humours which join with and aggravate the

pestilential Venom, very much prevents the Want of Antidotes afterwards.

CARE must be taken that there be no Suppression of Urine; the Non-naturals

must be used with great Regularity; the Body must be kept transpirable;

the Tone of the _Viscera_ strengthened; Fasting avoided; Choice made of a

good Diet, such as will yield good Nourishment, make but little Excrement,

and be easy of Digestion; to which several Pickles and Sauces are to be

recommended; as _Juice of Sorrel_, _Lemons_, _Oranges_, _Pomegranates_,

_Barberries_, &c. and at every Meal Sack is to be allowed, whose Vertues

we shall hereafter have Occasion to speak of; and Care should be taken not

to be Abroad in the Evening.

AND to express all in a few Words, all the animal Fluids must be kept in a

natural State, in an Equality of Motion, and an equable Degree of Mixture

and Fluxility; they must not be put at any inordinate Hurries, nor be too

much rarified or exalted; nor must they be suffered to grow vapid and

languid, for Want of Depuration, and a Retention of excrementitious

Particles. But a proper Regimen is better to be had from other Writers, we

therefore hasten to proper Antidotes.

_An Antipestilential Electuary of +Mayerne+._

℞ _Juglandium virid. +lib. ij.+ ficuum, prunorum ana +lib. j.+ macerentur

in aceto, & pulpa trajiciatur, cui adde pulv. subtiliss. rutæ, +lib. [ss.]+

viperinæ Virginianæ +℥ j. [ss.]+ rad. contrayerva +℥ iij.+ petasitid.

zedoariæ, ana +℥ ij. [ss.]+ sacchari perlati +lib. j.+ Syr è succo Kermes +℥

j.+ Syr. calendulæ, caryophyll. ana q. s. ut F. Elect. molle, addendo fol.

Auri 40. Dos. ad quantitatem nucis Jugland. maj. mane, & vesperi_.

_An Electuary for the Poor._

℞ _Conserv. lujulæ, galegæ ana +lib. [ss.]+ calendulæ +lib. j.+ Theriac.

Londin. +℥ iij.+ boli armen. vitriol. +℥ iv.+ cum syr. limonum q. s.

conficiatur Elect. Dos. ad +ʒ ij.+ vel +iij.+_

_An Antipestilential Confection._

℞ _Radic. scorzon. Hispan. petasitid. contrayerva ana +℥ ij.+ helenii,

tormentillæ ana +℥ [ss.]+ angelicæ, chelidoniæ, mai. ana +℥ j. [ss.]+ bacc.

Junip. præp. +lib. [ss.]+ summit. rutæ +p. j.+ sem. cardui, citri ana +ʒ

ij.+ quibus præp. affunde p. duas aceti sambuc. & tertiam spir. vini opt.

infusione peractâ & expressione, liquor igne lento evaporetur ferè ad

mellaginem: extracti +lib. j.+ adde theriac. Londin. +℥ ij. [ss.]+ boli arm.

terræ sigillatæ ana +℥ j.+ flor. sulphuris +ʒ v.+ succi Kermes +℥ ij.+

conserv. lujulæ +lib. j.+ cum syr. limon. q. s. F. Elect. molle, Dos. ad

quantit. nucis myristicæ mai. ter, vel sæpius de die._

_Antipestilential Pills._

℞ _Extract. rad. helenii, angelicæ, contrayerva ana +℥ j.+ adde extract.

alb. glycyrrh. +ʒ iij.+ flor. sulph. ad quatuor altèm vices sublim. +ʒ

ij.+ C. C. philosoph. calcin. sem. citri pulveriz. ana +ʒ j. [ss.]+ salis

scordii, absynth. ana +℈ ij.+ cum s. q. picis liquidæ F. massa pro

pilulis, Dos. ad +ʒ [ss.]+ vel +℈ ij.+ mane, & horâ somni._

_Antipestilential +Elixir Proprietatis+._

℞ _Croci Angl. opt. +℥ [ss.]+ extrah. tincturam cum aq. ulmariæ, scabiosæ,

cardui; vel melissæ s. q. additis spir. sulphuris aliquot guttis ad

leviusculam aciditatem: liquor per chartam emporeticam agatur, in colaturâ

ad lentum B. calorem dissolve Aloës pellucidæ è vesicâ +℥ iv.+ per

sataccum linteum haùd ita rarum trajiciatur liquor; deinde F. condensatio

ad eundem calorem, acquisitâ pilularum molliuscularum consistentia, adde

myrrhæ purissimæ +ʒ vij.+ flor. vel. magisterii præcipit. Benzoin +ʒ iij.+

salis C. C. +ʒ ij.+ cum syr. sambuc. q. s. F. massa unde pilulæ formentur,

Dos. ad +℈ ij.+_

_Lozenges against the Plague._

℞ _Extract. rad. angelicæ, & contrayerva +℥ j.+ extr. alb. liquiritiæ +ʒ

iij.+ flor. sulphuris myrrhat. h. e. cum myrrhâ sublim. +ʒ v.+ ol. cinnam.

gutt. +viij.+ saccharum crystallin. ad duplum omnium pondus, cum mucilag.

gum. tragacanth. aq. scordii parat. q. s. F. Tabellæ parvæ subling._

SOME used every Morning to swallow a Clove or two of _Garlick_; and many

eat unripe _Walnuts_ pickled. The following Draught was of admirable

Service:

℞ _Aq. rosar. rubr. camphoratæ +℥ ij.+ aceti opt. +℥ j.+ in quibus

dissolve bol. arm. opt. +℈ ij.+ adde syr. scabiosæ simpl. +ʒ iij.+ M. S.

F. haustus._

SOME old Nurses, as themselves have informed me, for an Antidote gave

human Excrements; but for the Efficacy of this Secret, I have nothing to

say. Some found Benefit by drinking of Urine; but many who have thought

themselves by these Means so well fortified, would venture themselves too

inadvertently into Danger, without any necessary Occasion, to the great

Hazard of their Lives.

BUT in these precautionary Directions, it is to be particularly

advertised, that Astringents of any Kind whatsoever, as _Bole_, _sealed

Earth_, _Lemnian Earth_, _Coral_, &c. are not to be given to Maidens, and

Women in their monthly Courses, for Fear they should occasion

Obstructions, and other bad Disorders: Those Remedies also are as much to

be blamed which force this Evacuation by thinning the Blood too much, and

irritating the Uterine Vessels: And lastly, in the Preservation as well as

the Cure, the Seasons of the Year, Sex, Constitution, Age, _&c._ are

carefully to be attended to.

BUT before I proceed further, Gratitude obliges me to do Justice to the

Vertues of _Sack_, as it deservedly is ranked amongst the principal

Antidotes, whether it be drank by it self, or impregnated with _Wormwood_,

_Angelica_, &c. for I have never yet met with any Thing so agreeable to

the Nerves and Spirits in all my Experience. That which is best is

middle-aged, neat, fine, bright, racy, and of a Walnut Flavour; and it is

certainly true, that during the late fatal Times, both the infected and

the well found vast Benefit from it, unless they who used it too

intemperately; many indeed medicated it with various _Alexipharmick

Simples_.

IT remains that we now say somewhat concerning the Use of _Tobacco_, whose

Vertues for this Purpose are extreamly cried up by _Diemebrooeck_, and

some others; but whether we regard the narcotick Quality of this

_American_ Henbane; or the poisonous Oil which exhales from it in

Smoaking; or that prodigious Discharge of Spittle which it occasions, and

which Nature wants for many other important Occasions; or, lastly, the

Exercise it gives to the Lungs in drawing it; besides the Aptitude of the

pestilential Poison to be taken down along with it, and the Irksomeness of

its Scent; I must confess my self at Uncertainties about it; though as to

my self, I am its professed Enemy, and was accustomed to supply its Place

as an Antidote with _Sack_.

WE now then come to external Remedies, amongst which _Amulets_, and

Characters, demand the first Notice: It must indeed be granted, that it is

no new Custom or Contrivance to hang these Charms, made various Ways,

about many Parts of the Body, but what Vertues these Things have, is worth

some Enquiry.

IT hath obtained with many, that Nature, or the Soul of the World, hath

impressed upon some certain Bodies a very diffusive magnetick Vertue;

whereupon some _Adepts_ have ascribed to many of these Bodies a Faculty of

expelling Poisons. Others conceit, that both artificial and natural

Poisons do, by a certain Sympathy, when outwardly applied, draw away every

Thing that is detrimental to the Constitution; after the Manner as _Amber_

attracks Straws, and (as they report of the _Snake-stone_) imbibe its

Venom: Some others again contrive _Amulets_ of Spices, to invigorate

Nature, and support her against the Enemy.

I think it proper to give my Opinion of this Matter; with Submission

therefore to these great Men, I cannot easily come into a Belief of any

Advantages to be had from this Practice; for most of the Efforts ascribed

to them, is rather from the Power of Imagination, or owing to some

manifest Property. Furthermore, it hath religiously obtained amongst many

People, that Diseases are to be driven away by painting Characters upon

the Body; but it is strongly to be suspected, that this Practice hath been

altogether owing to _Jugglers_, and Persons addicted to infernal Arts; for

what medicinal Virtue can there be in a Figure? It seems to me, that

because the _Sacred Mysteries_ of our _Art_ were anciently described by

_Hieroglyphicks_, the Populace, who were ignorant of their Significations,

mistook them for Charms against a _Plague_, and other grievous Diseases,

and they propagated their Delusion down to Posterity.

THERE are innumerable Preparations of these Charms or _Amulets_ to be met

with in the Writings of several Physicians; but I shall take it to have

sufficiently discharged my Duty here, to mention those only which were

used by our own Country People; the principal of which was a _Walnut_

filled with _Mercury_; for it is certain that many did promise to

themselves Security from the Dignity of this Metal, which to them seemed

to be the Parent of all others; others again expected great Matters from

its Volatility, notwithstanding it was thus inclosed, thinking that the

natural Heat of the Body would draw such Vertues, as would secure them

from the Infection. But much the greater Number were supplied with

arsenical _Amulets_, from Empiricks and Mountebanks; these were compounded

of _Arsenick_ alone, with Wax; or had many other Things added thereunto,

appropriated to the Disease. One of the chief Forms of this Kind is the

following:

℞ _Dictamni cret. pulv. +℈ vij.+ pulv. sinapi +ʒ [ss.]+ Benzoin. +ʒ ij.+

Arsenici veri +ʒ iij.+ ol. cinnam. gutt. +vij.+ ceræ opt. +ʒ v.+ cum

mucilag. gum. tragacanth. aceto rosac. parat. F. pasta, unde placentæ

multiformes depsaticæ parentur, ad pondus +ʒ ij.+ vel +iij.+ cordis

regioni admovendæ, linteo serico priùs involutæ._ For it commonly

prevailed amongst the Populace, that _Arsenick_, by some magnetick Vertue,

draws away all Poison, especially that of a Pestilence. The wearing also

of a dried Toad was a mighty Secret with some.

BUT to give my Thoughts concerning the good or bad Effects of these

appended Remedies, I do not remember any one who had their Expectations

answered thereby; but many confiding too much in them, neglected other

more necessary Means of Preservation, and brought themselves into great

Hazard of their Lives by wearing them; a remarkable Instance of which I

met with in an elderly Lawyer, who upon wearing an Arsenical _Amulet_ upon

his Breast, had a pestilential Carbuncle rise under it, the third Day

after which he died. In some others large Vesications appeared, not from

any Venom drawn out, but from the Caustick Quality of the Charm it self,

and the Communication of its own Poison to the Part: What Madness was it,

in such a terrible Calamity, to put the Hazard of Life upon such idle and

ridiculous Experiments?

BUT to pass over such Baubles, and proceed to Means that are conformable

to Reason, and the Rules of Medicine, _Issues_ are not to be forgot; for

by these all kinds of Impurities are allowed to flow out along with the

pestilential Poison, as through an open and ready Passage; and the more of

these little Ulcers are made, the better, although their Largeness may

answer as well as more in Number; that is, if they are big enough to hold

4, 6 or 8 Peas together. If any one hath a Mind for two Issues, let one be

made in the left Arm, and the other in the opposite Leg. And as for the

Usefulness of these, I can speak it of my own Experience, that whensoever

I was most beset with pestilential Fumes, in the Course of my Business, I

could then immediately perceive a shooting Pain in my Issue, and had a

great deal of an ill conditioned Matter discharge from it; and this I

always looked upon as a sure Warning to have timely recourse to

_Alexipharmicks_.

GREAT Service was likewise found in the Preservation against the

Pestilence, as well as in its curative Part, by the Application of

_Blisters_, and keeping them open a good while.

HAVING thus come to a Conclusion, I think it not amiss to recite the Means

which I used to preserve my self from the Infection, during the continual

Course of my Business among the Sick.

AS soon as I rose in the Morning early, I took the Quantity of a Nutmeg of

the _Antipestilential Electuary_; then after the Dispatch of private

Concerns in my Family, I ventured into a large Room, where Crowds of

Citizens used to be in waiting for me; and there I commonly spent two or

three Hours, as in an Hospital, examining the several Conditions and

Circumstances of all who came thither; some of which had Ulcers yet

uncured, and others to be advised under the first Symptoms of Seizure; all

which I endeavoured to dispatch, with all possible Care to their various

Exigencies.

AS soon as this Crowd could be discharged, I judged it not proper to go

abroad fasting, and therefore got my Breakfast: After which, till

Dinner-time, I visited the Sick at their Houses; whereupon, entring their

Houses, I immediately had burnt some proper Thing upon Coals, and also

kept in my Mouth some Lozenges all the while I was examining them. But

they are in a Mistake who report that Physicians used, on such Occasions,

very hot Things, as _Myrrh_, _Zedoary_, _Angelica_, _Ginger_, &c. for

many, deceived thereby, raised Inflammations upon their Tonsils, and

greatly endangered their Lungs.

I further took Care not to go into the Rooms of the Sick when I sweated,

or were short-breathed with Walking; and kept my Mind as composed as

possible, being sufficiently warned by such, who had grievously suffered

by Uneasiness in that Respect. After some Hours Visiting in this Manner, I

returned Home. Before Dinner, I always drank a Glass of _Sack_, to warm

the Stomach, refresh the Spirits, and dissipate any beginning Lodgment of

the Infection. I chose Meats for my Table that yeilded an easie and

generous Nourishment, roasted before boiled, and Pickles not only suitable

to the Meats, but the Nature of the Distemper; (and indeed in this

melancholy Time, the City greatly abounded with Variety of all good Things

of that Nature) I seldom likewise rose from Dinner without drinking more

Wine. After this, I had always many Persons came for Advice; and as soon

as I could dispatch them, I again visited till Eight or Nine at Night, and

then concluded the Evening at Home, by drinking to Cheerfulness of my old

favourite Liquor, which encouraged Sleep, and an easie Breathing through

the Pores all Night. But if in the Day-time I found the least Approaches

of the Infection upon me, as by Giddiness, Loathing at Stomach, and

Faintness, I immediately had Recourse to a Glass of this Wine, which

easily drove these beginning Disorders away by Transpiration.

YET in the whole Course of the Infection, I found my self Ill but twice;

but was soon again cleared of its Approaches by these Means, and the Help

of such Antidotes as I kept always by me.

BUT to conclude, it may not be improper to take Notice, that the Citizens

much accustomed themselves to certain Compositions for keeping off the

Infection, by continual Smelling to them; the chief amongst which was the

following.

℞ _Pulv. rad. angelicæ, summit. rorism. & lavendulæ cum floribus ana +ʒ

ij.+ caryophyll. +ʒ iiij.+ labdæni puriss. Styracis ana +ʒ iij.+ omnibus

præp. in commixtione adde ol. nucis mosch. per express. +ʒ j. [ss.]+ ol.

ligni rhod. +℈ ij.+ camphoræ +ʒ [ss.]+ moschi +gr. viij.+ cum ceræ opt. p.

s. F. massa._ Some likewise would smell to _Galbanum_, _Oil of Wormwood_,

or _Rue_, as also the Oil or Spirit drawn from _Pitch_, and dropped upon

Cotton, to be kept in a close Ivory Box. Yet I could not so much approve

of these Things, as they were used; because they so much dilated the Pores

of the olfactory Organs, as to give more Liberty for the pestilential

_Miasmata_ to pass in along with them.

THE Purification of Houses was contrived to be done several Ways; but what

I most approved of, was in placing a Chafing-dish in the Middle of a Room,

or the Entries, or Windows, where proper Things were burnt, and exhaled

all round. Quicklime was likewise thrown into the following Decoction.

℞ _Fol. Scordii, Angelicæ ana +M iij.+ summit. lauri, rutæ, lavendulæ ana

+M j. [ss.]+ flor. rosar. pallid. sambuci ana +p. ij.+ calami aromat. +ʒ v.+

Caryophyll. Contus. +ʒ iij.+ F. decoctio in duabus p. aq. font. & tertiâ

aceti rosac. vel Sambuc. consimiliter ac lagenæ, à mucore, & setu calcis

extinctione mundantur, ita ut liquorem inditum amplius vitient, &

corrumpant._ For as soon as the Lime is thrown in, it raises a very

penetrating Steam, which seemed very likely to destroy the Efficacy of the

pestilential _Miasmata_. For the same Purpose likewise were the following

very judiciously contrived.

℞ _Salis petræ +lib. j.+ Sulphuris +℥ iij.+ benzoin. Styracis simul

liquati. ana q. s. ut formentur s. a. Trochisc. deb. exiccandi._

_FINIS._

OF THE

Different Causes

OF

PESTILENTIAL DISEASES,

And how they become Contagious.

WITH

REMARKS

Upon the INFECTION now in

_FRANCE_,

And the most probable Means to

prevent its Spreading here.

By JOHN QUINCY, M. D.

_LONDON:_

Printed for _E. Bell_, at the _Cross Keys_ in _Cornhill_; and

_J. Osborn_, at the _Oxford-Arms_ in _Lombard-street_,

1720.

[Illustration]

OF THE

Different Causes

OF

_Pestilential Diseases_, &c.

THERE is hardly any one Subject more largely treated of by Physical

Writers, than that of _Pestilential Diseases_; and the Reason of it I take

to be, the Frequency in all Ages and Countries, of Alarms from such

dreadful Destroyers; and the uncommon Impressions they are apt to make

upon the Minds of those, whose Profession naturally leads them to enquire

into their Causes. But in this it has fared as with all the other Branches

of that noble Science. The Conjectures and Opinions of Persons have at

all Times been too much influenced by the Philosophy in Vogue, insomuch

that it is almost an endless as well as an unprofitable Task, to examine

into them all: And as such an Enquiry is not consistent with the intended

Brevity of these Pages, I shall pass them by, only just taking Notice of

the most considerable Opinions, under which, most that has been advanced

to any Purpose may be reduced.

ALL Authors upon this Subject, may be reduced under these two Sorts: Such

as ascribe them to the immediate Wrath of Heaven, and account them as

Punishments inflicted by the immediate Exertion of a Supernatural Power;

and such as assign for their Origin some natural Cause.

ALTHOUGH too great a Regard cannot be had to the Author of our Beings, yet

Care should likewise be taken, not to ascribe every Calamity to the

immediate Exertion of the Almighty Power; for it seems much more worthy of

the Divine Being so to order it, that from the Course of second or natural

Causes, Punishments shall pursue Offenders, than to imagine the frequent

Exertion of his Power in a Way supernatural to inflict such Punishments.

But there is a great deal of Reason to suspect, that the Number of this

Sect was very much increased by such, as either out of Ignorance in other

Causes, or out of an affected Devotion, thought it their Interest to come

into this Opinion, and pretend to do greater Cures by certain religious

Performances, and their Intercession with Heaven, than was in the Power of

Medicine, of which they knew but very little.

OF those that assign some natural Cause, there are several Opinions: Some

ascribe them to astral Influences, to malign Conjunctions and Radiations

of the Heavenly Bodies. We find, from the most remote Antiquity, not only

_Pestilential Diseases_, but likewise a great many others, ascribed to the

same Causes: But all the Reasonings about this Conjecture have been very

obscure and perplexed until the present Age, when Sir _Isaac Newton_ first

taught Men to think justly, and talk intelligibly about the Motions and

Influences of those remote Bodies upon our _Atmosphere_: And upon his

Theory Dr. _Mead_ has since further proceeded to determine their

Efficacies upon humane Bodies. By which, as it does appear that they

affect us no otherwise than as they occasion the several Variations of the

Seasons, and different Constitutions of the Air, the Reader must be left

to the Consideration of such Causes.

ANOTHER Cause is charged upon Steams and Exhalations from putrefying

Bodies. There are Abundance of Instances to support this Opinion, that

manifestly discover very fatal Effects from such Causes. As Battels are

generally fought in Summer-Time, when by the Heat of the Season Things are

most disposed to Putrefaction, so it has often been observed, that the

Plague has appeared after great Slaughters of Men in Fight, as appears by

undoubted Testimony from _Julius Alexandrinus_[1], _Diodorus Siculus_, and

a great many others, too tedious to mention. _Ambrose Parrey_[2] gives a

Relation of a Plague, that laid waste almost a whole Country, which had

its Rise from the Stench of a great many human Carcases that were thrown

into one Pit, and left Rotting uncover’d. _Joannes Wolfius_[3],

_Forestus_[4], the above-mentioned _Parrey_[5], and _Agricola_[6], all

take Notice of Plagues arising from the Stench of putrifying Fish that

were thrown dead upon the Shores.

OTHER Steams of the same Efficacy frequently arise from the Putrefactions

of stagnant Waters, and other Bodies, which, in some particular

Constitutions of Air, are apt to corrupt and emit very offensive

_Effluvia_. Dr. _Mead_[7] relates from _Diogenes Laertius_[8], that

_Empedocles_ observed a pestilential Disease to afflict the _Salinuntij_,

from the Putrefaction of a certain River; to remedy which, he contrived to

have the Streams of two other neighbouring Rivers drained into it, which,

by their Increase of the Current, with an additional Weight and Pressure

of Water, brought the former to its usual Sweetness, and so put a Stop to

the Plague.

TO this Purpose Dr. _Plot_[9] observes, the Reasons why _Oxford_ is now

much more healthful than heretofore, to be the Enlargement of the City,

whereby the Inhabitants, who are not proportionably increased, and not so

close crowded together; and the Care of the Magistrates in keeping the

Streets clear from Filth: For formerly (he says) they used to kill all

Manner of Cattle within the Walls, and suffer their Dung and Offals to lie

in the Streets. Moreover, about those Times the _Isis_ and _Cherwell_,

thro’ the Carelessness of the Townsmen, being filled with Mud, and the

Common-Shores by such Means stopped, did cause the Ascent of Malignant

Vapours whenever there happened to be a Flood. But since that, by the Care

and at the Charge of _Richard Fox_, Bishop of _Winchester_, in the Year

1517, those Rivers were cleansed, and more Trenches cut for the Water’s

free Passage, the Town has continued in a very healthful Condition; and in

a particular Manner so free from Pestilential Diseases, that the Sickness

in 1665, which raged in most Parts of the Kingdom, never visited any

Person there, although the Terms were there kept, and the Court and both

Houses of Parliament did there reside.

TO this Cause, ’tis very probable, is owing the Frequency of the Plague at

_Grand Cairo_ in _Egypt_, and in the Island of _Sardinia_, as _Pæusanias_

and others relate: Although indeed _Prosper Alpinus_[10] charges a great

deal of the Cause of that at _Cairo_, upon their continual Commerce with

such Nations as are seldom without such infectious Diseases. And for this

Reason it is, that we find all those Countries, which most abound with

Swamps and Standing-Waters, to be most unhealthful, especially in the

hottest Seasons; except, as in several Parts of _Italy_, such Lakes have

any Communication with the Sea, or some large Rivers. To this purpose

_Piso_[11] frequently observes those Places to be most subject to such

Calamities, where there are constant Heat and settled Calms, as such a

Temperament of Air most disposes Bodies to Putrefaction and Corruption, as

in St. _Thomas Island_, and _Guinea_: And, on the contrary, that

notwithstanding the Intenseness of Heat, if the Fluids are but agitated by

Winds, Tides, and Currents, there is little Danger of such Diseases; and

the less still, the more regular and constant the Seasons are upon other

Accounts: By which Means it is, that between the _Tropicks_, and even

under the _Equator_, it is very healthful.

UNDER this Head it may not be improper to observe, that too scanty and

mean a Diet, and Feeding upon unripened and unsound Fruits, are frequently

charged with a Share in Mischiefs of this kind. _Josephus_[12] and _Julius

Cæsar_[13], amongst Historians; _Forestus_,[14] and several other physical

Writers, give Accounts of Plagues from the like Causes. _Galen_[15] is

very positive in this Matter; and in one Place[16] accuses his great

Master _Hippocrates_ with Neglecting too much the Consequence of a bad

Diet, and ascribing some Mischiefs arising from thence to a bad Air. And

upon this is grounded the common Opinion of a _Plague_’s following a

_Famine_; in which Circumstances, the poorer sort, who feed meanest,

generally suffer most, as it frequently happens in long Sieges, and Armies

ill supplied with Provisions. Thus Travellers report, that _Surrat_ in

the _East-Indies_ is seldom or never free from a Plague, which is ascribed

to the mean Diet of the Natives, who are _Banians_, and feed on little

else than Herbs, Water, Rice, and such like pitiful Fare; for it is

observed, that the _Europeans_ who trade there, are in no Danger of being

infected, because they feed well on Flesh, and drink Wine, which secures

them against those malignant Diseases.

A Third Cause is ascribed to Mineral Eruptions and subterraneous

Exhalations. _Pestilences_ from this Cause are more infrequent than from

several others; because such Eruptions hardly ever happen but upon

Earthquakes, or Breaking into the Bowels of the Earth by Mines, Pits,

Wells, and the like; and then too, in Order to produce a _Pestilence_, it

is necessary that whatsoever exhales and mixes with the ambient Air, must

be of such a Nature, as to render it unrespirable; or to communicate by it

such Particles to the Animal Juices as will pervert their natural Crasis,

and disturb their due Secretions; which does not often happen, for there

are frequent Shocks of the Earth from intestine Fermentations, which are

not followed by any such Mischiefs, as they happen only from the Struggle

of such Principles, as when they have got Vent, neither of themselves, or

by any Thing emitted with them, are of that disagreeable Nature, as to

give any Disturbance to the Animal OEconomy.

_CAROLUS de la Font_,[17] indeed, as well as several others, lays great

Stress upon Causes of this kind, and charges _Pestilential Diseases_

chiefly to Mineral Exhalations of divers kinds; as _Arsenical_,

_Mercurial_, _Sulphurous_, &c. which he imagines the ambient Air often to

be overcharged with, either from the Heat of the Sun, Earthquakes, or

subterraneous Fires. To all this, Persons of different Opinion object, the

Infrequency of Plagues in _Calabria_, _Naples_, and several Parts of

_Sicily_, where there are manifestly very great subterraneous Fires, such

as occasion violent Earthquakes, and many furious and plentiful Eruptions

of metallick and mineral Fumes. A very distinct Relation of which, from

his own Knowledge, may be met with from Dr. _Bernard Connor_,[18] who has

been very curious in his Enquiries hereinto.

BUT however Authors differ upon this Head, several very odd Relations are

to be met with in History of malignant and deadly Sicknesses from these

Causes. That Story is very strange which is related by _Ammianus

Marcellinus_,[19] and taken Notice of by _Cardan_ and _Riolanus_, that a

most grievous Pestilence broke out in _Seleucia_, which, from thence to

_Parthia_, _Greece_, and _Italy_, spread it self thro’ a great part of the

World, from the Opening an ancient Vault in the Temple of _Apollo_, and

that it raged with so much Fury, as to sweep away a third part of the

Inhabitants of those Countries it visited.

IT is needless to trouble the Reader with many Relations of the sudden and

strange Effects of some Steams arising from Mines and Pits, which are

generally termed by our Colliers _Damps_, because almost every Body has

already been acquainted with such Accounts.

DR. _Plot_[20] tells us, That about Twenty Years since, two Persons were

employed to dig a Well in the Parish of _North-Leigh_ in _Oxfordshire_,

but upon being taken ill, left off the Work: Whereupon it was undertaken

by two others of _Woodstock_; who, before they could do any thing

considerable in it, sunk down, and died irrecoverably in the Well: Which

being perceived by a Miller hard by, and he coming to their Assistance,

fell down dead upon them. Another also venturing to do the same, with a

Rope tied about him, fell from the Ladder just in the same Manner; and

though presently drawn up by the People above, yet he was scarcely

recover’d in an Hour or more. And since then, upon a Bucket’s falling into

a Well in another Part of the Town, a Woman perswaded a strong lusty Man

to go down a Ladder to fetch it, who, by that Time he had got half way

down, fell from the Ladder into the Well; upon which, the Woman called

another of her Neighbours to his Assistance, who, much about the same

Place, met with the same Fate, without giving the least Sign of Change; so

fatal (says the Doctor) are the Damps of that Place. Dr. _Boot_[21] tells

a Story that happened at _Dublin_ in _Ireland_, just of the same Nature.

And in the _Philosophical Transactions_[22], there are the like Relations

of Damps in the Coal-Mines belonging to the Lord _Sinclair_ in _Scotland_.

THE most surprizing Effect of these subterraneous _Effluvia_ that I ever

met with, is in a Relation of Dr. _Bernard Connor_, of certain Persons in

_Paris_ digging deep in a Vault or Cellar, who were so suddenly transfixed

by some subtile Vapour, that when a Servant-Maid came down to speak with

them, she found them in Postures as if at Work; one with his Pick-Ax

advanced, another with his Shovel full of Earth, half lifted up, and a

Woman sitting by with her Arm upon her Knee, her Head leaning upon that

Hand, with manifest Expectations in her Countenance of what they were in

Search after.

THE same Author, from his own Knowledge, gives a very exact Account of a

_Grotta_ in _Italy_, much talked of, and commonly called _la Grotta de

cani_, by this Author, _Crypta_ Κυνιχυς; But Dr. _Mead_ hath since, from

his own Knowledge also, given a very particular and rational Account of

this Place, and the Manner of its killing; to whom therefore the Reader

may turn for further Satisfaction.

ANOTHER, and more general Cause than any hitherto mentioned of these

Maladies, is some bad and unwholsome Constitution of Air. Such

Constitutions may arise from several Causes, which although they affect us

in different Manners, yet as they are equally fatal, we call them all

_Malignant_ or _Pestilential_: In Order therefore to understand the better

how we are differently affected by those different Constitutions, it will

be proper to consider them somewhat distinctly, under these general Heads,

_viz._ _A dry hot Air_, _hot and moist_, _cold and moist_, _and cold and

dry_; to which most Variations of Air may be reduced.

THAT from the several Constitutions of Air, our Bodies are differently

affected; and that most Diseases are in some Measure more or less

influenced thereby, is quite out of Dispute. _Hippocrates_, in a great

many Places declares himself of this Mind: His whole third section of

_Aphorisms_ is a Proof of it; and in several Places[23] he discovers his

Opinion, that _Pestilential Diseases_ have their Rise from hence. _Galen_,

his best Interpreter, understood his το θειον, which some will have to be

meant of somewhat Divine, or the immediate Hand of God, to be nothing else

but a particular Constitution of Air arising from natural Causes; and that

he was of the same Mind himself, is very plain from his own Writings[24].

IT is almost endless, as well as altogether needless, to cite all the

Authorities for this Opinion, that might be collected from the most remote

Antiquity down to the present Age. We shall therefore proceed to consider

the different Constitutions of Air, according to the forementioned

Distinction; premising only, that the Terms _Hot_, _Cold_, &c. are used in

a twofold Sense, the one is _Absolute_, and the other _Relative_; by the

former, _viz._ _Absolute Heat_, _Cold_, &c. is understood one simple

Property of the Air only, as it is different not in Degree, but in Quality

from others: By the latter, that is, _Relative Heat_, &c. is meant certain

Degrees of those Properties: As the same Air may at the same Time be said

properly to be both Hot and Cold, or Dry and Moist, as it is compared with

another Air, either Hotter or Colder, Dryer, or Moister; for with Regard

to a hotter Air, it will be termed cold, when at the same Time if it be

compared to a colder Air, it would be accounted hot: And so of the rest.

To which Distinction, it is very necessary to have constant Regard to

avoid Confusion.

THOSE Countries where the Air is hot and dry for the greatest Part, are

related to be healthful, and free from _Pestilential Diseases_, except

where there are great Swamps and stagnant Waters, or by any accidental

Causes Bodies are exposed there to Putrefaction, the Steams of which

render Persons Diseased. In such Countries, for the most Part of the Year,

there is but very little Rain, and the Nights are comparatively colder

than elsewhere, from the great Dews which then fall. As _Piso_[25] informs

us, that the colder the Nights are in _Brasil_, and the more plentifully

the Dews fall, the Inhabitants account it most agreeable to their Soil,

and conducive to Vegetation; and Physicians reckon it much the most

healthful for the Inhabitants.

THE Heat of the Air alone, where it is constant and uniform, does not

appear to render Persons born in it, or long accustomed to it, any more

unhealthful, than that which is more temperate. _Aristotle_[26] indeed

says, a hot and dry _Southerly_ Wind will bring a _Pestilence_; but of

such we have very few Instances, especially on this Part of the Globe.

There is in _Livy_[27] an Account of a _Plague_ at _Rome_, from a great

Drought; and _Nicephorus_[28] relates such another: But these generally

come from some other manifest Causes besides Heat, and in Places not

accustomed to a dry Air.

BUT a hot and moist Air is very different. By _Moist_, is meant what

arises from sudden or long Rains. This is the Constitution of Air that

most Authors charge with being the greatest Instrument in _Pestilential

Distempers_. _Hippocrates_[29] ascribes a great deal to such an Air, and

relates a _Pestilence_ that had its Rise from great Heat, joined with

_Southerly_ Winds and much Rain. _Galen_ is of the same Mind, as appears

from several of his Writings[30], with many others too tedious to mention.

The Truth of this is likewise manifest from the Histories of those

Countries, where there are long settled Heats, and afterwards much Rain,

as in several Parts of the _East-Indies_, which are known at such Times to

be most grievously afflicted with Fevers and Diseases of a very malignant

Kind. The same we are informed of from some Places in _Africa_,[31],

_viz._ That if Showers fall soon upon the sultry Heats of _July_ and

_August_, pestilential Distempers certainly ensue. It may be generally

observed here too in our own Climate, that the most unhealthful Times are

after warm Rains, and the more if the Air is then agitated but little with

Winds.

FROM a cold and moist Air, we have little complained of, as to their

occasioning these Diseases, unless such a Constitution sets in immediately

upon a contrary Extream; for all sudden Changes of Weather are more or

less unhealthful, as well as in other Respects of living; for which Reason

particularly, _Corn. Celsus_ advises to be very slow in all Alterations of

Moment: And _Sanctorius_ frequently inculcates the same in his

_Aphorisms_, and tells us[32] how it is hurtful, both to go suddenly out

of a hot Air into a cold one, and out of a cold Air into a hot one; and is

also very particular[33] in the Inconveniencies of such a Constitution of

Air we are now speaking of, setting in after the Heat of Summer.

_Hippocrates_[34] does tell us of a _Pestilence_ from long continued cold

Rains, as likewise does _Fernelius_[35], but such Instances are not

common.

THE last Constitution of Air we are to take Notice of, is that which is

cold and dry, against which there are a great many very heavy Complaints.

_Galen_ writes of a most Raging Pestilence about _Aquileia_ in _Italy_,

that began in the very Middle of Winter, and had its manifest Cause in

extream Cold. _Fernelius_[36] asserts the Rise of several Pestilences from

the same Causes: As also does _Morellus_[37] observe great Malignities to

proceed from some _Northerly_ cold Winds. _Titus Livy_[38] likewise

mentions a _Pestilential Constitution_ arising from intense Cold, but

_Physical Histories_ abound with such Relations.

OF the strange and sudden Effects of intense Cold and dry Winds, we have

very surprizing Accounts from those who have travelled into Countries

where they are the most frequent. Dr. _Bernard Connor_[39]

beforementioned, relates, That when he was in _Poland_, it was asserted to

him by very creditable Testimonies, that it frequently happens in

_Lithuania_, and some of the _Northern_ Tracts of _Muscovy_ and _Tartary_;

that if sometimes, through the Neglect of the Shepherds, their small

Cattle, as _Sheep_, _Goats_, and the like, be left exposed in the

Night-time to the _Northerly Winds_, they are frequently found next

Morning perfectly stiff and dead, in the same Posture as they are wont to

be in at their Stalls and Cribs: And there are divers Accounts of Persons

in those Countries, who have been so suddenly transfixed, stiffened, and

killed by those _Blasts_, as to have continued on Horseback in the same

Posture as when Living, till the Horse, acquainted with the Road, has

brought them to their Journey’s End: And the above-mentioned Physician[40]

tells us, that when he was at _Brussels_, he was informed by a _Spanish_

Captain, that of a Party of Horse that was sent out for Booty in a very

cold Season, one by Accident lost the rest of the Body; and Riding about

some time, before he could find his Way, or any Refreshment, he was so

transfixed with the Cold as to be quite killed, but continued on Horseback

in the Posture of a Live Person, until his Horse at last happened to find

the Way back to his Quarters, whither his Company had before got, and

missing him, feared he had fallen into the Enemies Hands; but when they

came to congratulate him upon his safe Return, they went so near as to

speak to him, and take hold of him, before they perceived him to be dead.

TO _Blasts_ of this kind it undoubtedly is, that Fruit Trees and Plants do

so frequently suffer, especially after a warm early Spring, after the

vegetable Juices have began to rise and shoot into Buds and Leaves.

Instances of this Nature we frequently find in our own Countrey; and I

have had Opportunity to observe, more than once, that upon such _Blasts_,

the Trees have, on that side towards the Wind, been in one Night’s Time

quite changed in the Colour of the Leaves; and some, of the most tender

sort, almost stripped bare, their Leaves falling off dry, as in _Autumn_.

BUT there is something yet further, besides particular Constitutions of

Air, that is taken Notice of by Physicians, as a general Cause of Maladies

of this kind; and that is what is commonly called _Contagion_ or

_Infection_; by this Term _Contagion_, is understood a Disease arising

from the Contact of such Bodies or Particles as have in them a Power of

Altering the due Crasis of a healthful Person, and inducing still one

common Disease; these Particles are generally called by Physical Writers

μιασματα, _Contagiosa_, or _Contagij Seminia_; and the Difference of

Pestilences arising from these Causes seems much to differ from what have

been hitherto taken Notice of, as the former cannot be shunned but by

quite leaving the diseased Climate, or by such a Strength, or Turn of

Constitution, as resists, or yeilds not to the general Disorder; whereas

in this last Case, a Person seems to be equally safe in any Air that is

not impregnated with these contagious _Effluvia_, and the greatest Danger

arises from the Nearness to diseased Persons, or whatsoever else is

capable of harbouring those mischievous and secret Messengers, as the

Poet[41] takes Notice.

_Quo proprior quisq; est, servitq; fidelius agro

In partem Lethi citius venit.————_

THE Histories of Physick abound with Relations of Pestilences from no

other Cause than what arises from the Importation of the Disease, if it

may be so termed, from distant Countries; and sometimes not by Persons

themselves distempered, but by the Conveyance of these _Pestilential

Miasmas_ in their Cloaths or Wares imported in the Way of Trade.

_Fracastorius_,[42] an eminent _Italian_ Physician, tells us, That in the

Year Fifteen Hundred and Eleven, when the _Germans_ were in Possession of

_Verona_, there arose a deadly Disease amongst the Soldiers from the

Wearing only a Coat purchased for a small Value; for it was observed, that

every Owner of it soon sickened and died; until, at last, the Cause was so

manifestly from some Infection in the Coat, that it was ordered to be

burned. Ten Thousand Persons, he says, were computed to fall by this

Plague before it ceased.

FROM the same Cause, that is, infected Garments, and Merchandize,

_Mercurialis_ takes Notice of a Plague in his Time at _Venice_; and

_Appianus Alexandrinus_[43] assures us, that the _Celtæ_, after a Conquest

over the _Illyrici_, and in Possession of their Plunder, were infected

with a grievous Plague, which the _Illyrici_ then laboured under.

_Thycidides_ also, in his Relation of the Plague at _Athens_, intimates,

That it was brought from some Part of _Ethiopia_ by the like Means. And

_Prosper Alpinus_[44], before mentioned, seems to lay the greatest Stress

for the Frequency of the Plague at _Grand Cairo_, to the Traffick with

those Countries as are hardly ever free from _Pestilential Diseases_. A

great many Physicians have charged the Plague in Sixteen hundred and sixty

three at _Amsterdam_, to the Infection of some _Pestilential Miasms_ which

were transported from _Smyrna_ and _Algiers_, then much infected with such

Diseases, with some Merchandize; by which Means likewise it was

conjectured soon afterwards to reach _London_, and several other Parts of

_England_, as it appears from the preceding Account of Dr. _Hodges_. To

this Purpose I remember to have read a strange Story, somewhere in

_Baker_’s Chronicle, of a great Rot amongst Sheep, which was not quite

rooted out until about Fourteen Years Time, that was brought into

_England_ by a Sheep bought for its uncommon Largeness, in a Country then

infected with the same Distemper: And upon this Account it is that the

Prudence of those Nations and States are to be justified, who enjoin all

Persons and Merchandize from infected Countries, to stay a certain Time

upon their Coasts and Borders before they are suffered to intermix with a

healthful People; having by such Instances as here mentioned been justly

alarmed at the Incroachment of such dreadful Destroyers.

THESE Historical Fragments are put together, in Order to apprize those

Readers who have not been very conversant with Things of this Kind, with

the various Ways by which the most dangerous Diseases, and even sudden

Death, may be introduced into our Constitutions, by the Agency of very

minute and unheeded Causes; and likewise the better to support the

Distinction necessary to be made between _Epidemic_ Diseases, and a

_Contagion_; as well as to illustrate the Manner whereby the latter

subsists, spreads, and proves fatal, when the Causes producing the former

are absent.

_Epidemic_ Diseases of all Kinds and Degrees of Exacerbation, have their

Rise from some common Cause, that affects all within its Extent more or

less, in Proportion to the particular Fitness of different Constitutions

to be affected by it: And by the _Bellinian_ Doctrine we are taught, how

all those Changes are made in the Blood, when thrown into a Fever by these

Causes, even from the most simple _Ephemera_, to the most complicated and

malignant Cases whatsoever; to which therefore the Reader must be

referred, for a clear Understanding of such Matters; it being sufficient

to our Purpose here to observe, that he demonstrates all Fevers to be

attended with some Fault in the Blood’s Motion, Quantity, or Quality, or

in some or all of them together; and that its chief Fault in Quality,

(which is most to the present Case) consists in an unequable Fluidity,

some Parts of it being rendered thinner, and others thicker at the same

Time, than in a natural State; not unlike what happens to all coagulated

Liquors.

FROM this Condition of Blood, this great and wonderful Man goes on to

shew, through the whole Course of his Propositions, that the coagulated

Part, which he commonly distinguishes by the Name of _Lentor_, does

accumulate in the capillary Vessels until their Endeavours of Restitution,

as in all Elastick Bodies, are greater than the protruding Force, when by

the Arteries Re-action upon it, the _Lentor_ is shook, dislodged, and

washed away into the Veins, and ordinary Course of Circulation, there

continuing its Progress till it is either fitted for some Secretion and

Evacuation, or again lodged in the Capillaries, to bring on a new

Paroxysm.

THIS unequable Fluxility of the Blood arises from two general Causes,

either from such Means as diminish its Motion, or from the Mixture of such

Particles, as cannot only of themselves be reduced by the digestive Powers

into homogeneous Dispositions therewith; or as have a Faculty to put in

Fusion some Parts of the Mass, and leave the other thicker than before;

these are particularly enumerated, and their Ways of Operation distinctly

demonstrated by _Bellini_.

CONFORMABLE to this Change in the Blood, which is the common Promptuary of

all the other animal Fluids, every Thing separated from it hath some

correspondent Affections; and the nervous Fluid in particular, which is

separated from a Mass so unequally fluid, cannot but in it self have some

Parts too fine, and others too gross, besides the Inequalities in the

Times and Quantities of its Separation; from all which the same Author

accounts for those Affections, termed nervous, which are the

_Concomitants_ of Fevers: And in the Prosecution hereof he frequently

takes Occasion to speak of this Fluid to be thin, sharp, hot, fiery, dry,

_&c._ as the saline and rigid Parts in its Composition are by the

Distemper more or less subtilized, or more or less defrauded of its humid

Parts by Exhalation.

FURTHERMORE, in this great Disorder of the Constitution, and inordinate

Hurry and Colluctation of the Fluids, sometimes the Solids are maintained

in their Contractions and Motions, until the Particles either introduced

from Abroad, or generated in the Body, which cannot be assimulated into

homogeneous Qualities, are thrown out of the Course of Circulation by the

natural Discharges, by Transpiration, or by Abcesces; and the animal

Fluids restored to their natural State. But when Matters are brought to

this pass, it happens that the very Means of saving one Person, may prove

the Destruction of many others; because what is thus critically thrown

off by one, hath a Faculty of exciting the like Disorders in the Fluids of

another, when it is insinuated into them; as a very small Quantity of some

fermenting Substances will communicate its Efficacies a very great Way,

and put very great Parcels of Fluid into the like Agitation. And this is

the Way by which a malignant Fever comes to be infectious, and a

_Pestilence_ changes into a _Contagion_; as _Bellini_ more largely

explains it in his XXVIII_th Proposition_ of Fevers; from the whole of

which it is manifest, as Dr. _Mead_ hath expressed it in his fifth _Essay

of Poisons_, that _the Effects of the +one+ are the Cause and Beginning of

the +other+_.

TO bring then this nearer to the Matter under Examination, the Plague

which is described in the foregoing Pages, was strictly and properly a

_Contagion_, and by all Accounts of the best Authority, That which hath

made such vast Devastations in some Parts of _France_, and now continues

to rage amongst them, to the great Terror of their Neighbours, is also of

the same Kind; and was brought to them in Merchandize, and by a Ship’s

Crew, who were sick of a pestilential Disease all their Voyage Home from

some Parts of _Turkey_; in neither of these there being any Manner of

Fault chargeable upon the Air, or to any other Causes before enumerated in

producing a _Pestilence_.

THE Symptoms of That now Abroad are reported by the best Physicians

amongst them to be _sudden Pains in the Head_, _great Loathing at

Stomach_, _Reaching to Vomit_, _Consternation_, _wild Looks_, _trembling

Voice_, _Coldness in the extreme Parts_, _low unequal Pulse_, _Paleness_,

_Delirium_, _Convulsions_, _Carbuncles_, _Buboes_, _livid Vesications_,

_purple Spots_, _and Hemorrhages_; _the last are certain Forerunners of

Death_. All which, more or less, are the constant Attendants of all

pestilential Fevers.

BECAUSE then there is such a vast Difference between a _Pestilence_

arising from assignable Causes in the Air, _&c._ and a _Pestilence_ from a

_Contagion_, as to the preservative Means especially against them; and

that what we are now in most Apprehension of, is of the latter Kind; it

most concerns us to be well acquainted with the Manner of Infection, as

far as we can reason about Agents so extreamly minute and subtle. How all

other _Antecedents_ to a _Pestilence_ exert themselves in their

Influences over the animal OEconomy, _Bellini_ has brought even to a

Demonstration; but as to a _Contagion_, he says little; which therefore,

as introductory to some following Remarks, we shall here insert.

‘As this Coagulation and Fusion may go on so far as to set at

Liberty, and perspire through the Surface of the Body, or with

the Breath in Respiration, many noxious Particles, which may be

so subtil and active, as to enter the cutaneous Pores of other

Persons, or mix with that Air which they draw in Respiration,

and when got into the Body, be able to make the same Change in

the Blood, both as to its Coagulation and Fusion; hence it comes

that such a Fever proves _contagious_, which is an inseparable

Requisite to a _pestilential_ Fever.

‘But this is not only thus brought about; but also the

dissolved, and dispersed Particles may longer adhere to some

inanimate Bodies than others, as to Woollen and Linen Cloaths,

Papers, _&c._ and these Particles may, by the Steam of a living

Body, or by the Means of any other Heat, be put into Motion, so

as to breath out of those Lodgments, where they quietly resided,

and obtain so much Liberty, and Action on all sides, as will

carry them into the cutaneous Pores of any Persons within their

Reach, and infect them; and on this Account a _Pestilence_ may

be brought from very distant Countries, lying a long Time in

such Manner concealed, and then suddenly breaking out; with many

other Circumstances of like Nature.

‘BUT if these subtile and active Particles be of that Nature,

that they can penetrate the Pores of other Animals, and occasion

a like Coagulation of their Blood, not only Men, but Brutes

also, will be seized with a _Pestilence_; but this does not

always very necessarily happen; because the Blood of Animals is

different from humane Blood, so that although these Particles

are supposed to get into it, it does not therefore necessarily

follow that they must vitiate it, any more than will _Aqua

Regia_ dissolve all kinds of Metals; but yet Brutes of all

kinds, or some of them only, will be seized equally with Men,

when this subtile and active Ferment, which penetrates the

Surface, is of that Nature, as will taint the Blood of other

Animals with those _pestilential_ Requisites.

‘AS this kind of Contagion then can easily proceed from an

infected Person at a great Distance, as often as the noxious

Particles can reach another Person, and give that Degree of

Coagulation and Fusion, as is necessary to a _Pestilence_; the

more aggravated then will be this Calamity, and more easily

spread, when a healthful Person is near to one already infected;

and yet much more worse, if it is in Contact with those Parts,

which more plentifully, and with a greater _Impetus_, breath out

infected Steams, as if the Air arising from the Mouth and Lungs,

which must be extreamly hot, or the Perspiration of a Carbuncle

when it is greatly inflamed; for in this Case the exhaling

Particles will be in their greatest Activity when nearest the

recipient Body, and likewise more dense, that is, more numerous,

and consequently of greatest Efficacy.

‘BUT it is not every one that is seized with a _Pestilence_ from

Contagion, by Means of Steams exhaling from any particular Parts

of the Body; but only when these Steams, and the Air it self,

hath joined with, and interspersed through it Particles of

vitiated Faculties; and then this Kind of Fever will easily be

communicated, and necessarily ensue, not only on Account of what

gets into the Body with the inspired Air, but because also the

whole Body is surrounded with such an Infection, wherein the

noxious Particles floating about on all Sides, will endeavour to

penetrate through the Pores upon the Surface, and get that Way

into the Blood; for although the Skin is thicker upon the

Surface of the Body, than that Pellicle covering the Vessels in

the Lungs, and for that Reason it requires longer Time for such

Particles to get that Way into the Blood, and the Habit of the

Body, yet it is no Argument that they cannot get that Way at

all, and be admitted into the Juices.’

BY this we are able to gather, that when a Fever from some Faults in the

_Non-naturals_ comes to the highest Degree of Malignity, it makes such a

Change in the animal Fluids as renders some Parts of them poisonous, and

capable of exciting the like fermentative Motions, wheresoever they come

into a proper Subject, without any of those procatarctic Causes as gave

Rise to the Fever of the first Person seized.

OF what Nature then this Poison is we may conjecture from the

Circumstances of its Production. All animal Bodies do more or less

generate a Salt; or rather, in Proportion to the Strength of their

digestive Powers, do they more or less subtilize the saline Particles

which are taken in with their necessary Nourishment. This is abundantly

manifest in the Distillation of many animal Substances, which plentifully

yield a volatile Salt. But indeed in the Composition of this, in a natural

and healthful State, there is joined a very subtilized Sulphur or Oil;

which contempers and softens it into a Fitness for the Purposes of the

OEconomy: And under this Modification, it becomes the Principle of

Vitality, and the chief Instrument of animal Action; not unlike what this

is conceived to be, is the common _Sal volatile oleosum_, or any other

Spirits drawn from odorous Bodies.

IT matters not what Names Persons please to distinguish this by, in an

humane Body; but that somewhat of this Kind is naturally the Produce of

its digestive Powers, in the highest Degree of Comminution or

Subtilization they are capable of bringing any Thing to, no one will

question; and that those minute Threads or Fibres, of which the whole is a

Composition, are animated by it; or, to speak more strictly, owe to it

their Elasticity and motive Faculties.

IT is hoped, that no one who hath been accustomed to Reasonings of this

Nature, will find any Difficulty in conceiving such a Difference of

Principles, so finely blended together, as here suggested of a saline, and

an oleous, or humid Substance: And whosoever reads _Bellini_, or any

others who have wrote in the same Manner, will find continual Regard had

to those two Principles, even in the animal Spirits; for without it there

can be no Notion had of what is so frequently mentioned, and which by

their Effects we find must be true of them, that they are too dry, hot,

active, fiery, and the like; or too humid, vapid, sluggish, viscid, _&c._

And it is further equally manifest, that in Proportion to the greater or

lesser Degrees of Motion in those Fluids, from whence this subtile

Composition is generated, and the Concussions of those fine Threads into

which it is separated, will it err in one or other of the foregoing

Extremes.

IN a Fever therefore, where the animal Fluids are in the highest Degree of

Agitation, and from Causes too of a coagulating Nature, it ought to be no

Wonder that even this subtile Union should be in some Measure dissolved,

and the softer and more humid Parts broke and exhaled, so much as to leave

the more rigid and saline ones not only unfit to lubricate those Elastick

Threads, wherein they reside, but sharp and pointed enough to stimulate,

contract, and harden them into all Loss of Motion.

AS the Destruction likewise of this _Nexus_ in so subtile a Fluid leaves

the saline Parts capable of injuring even that OEconomy which gave it

Existence, so may its Volatility favour its Escape in a great Measure by

Transpiration, so as to affect also other Persons within its Reach; and

These with all other Particles of like Nature, which, by an

Over-Agitation, and fermentative Motion of the animal Fluids, are

separated from the softer and lubricating Compositions with which they

were naturally joined, and which by their Volatility transpire and float

in the Air, we take to be the true _contagious Miasmata_, that convey,

propagate, and continue a _Pestilence_, after the Cause first raising it

ceases.

NOR will this seem strange to any who are accustomed to reflect, how many

Substances are changeable into a poisonous Nature, which before were not

only inoffensive, but useful to the Purposes of Life. Some Minerals, whose

saline Parts in their Production are naturally blended with good

Quantities of Sulphur, are harmless, and good _Alterants_; but when by any

Means those Principles are separated, the saline Parts become strong

_Emeticks_ and _Catharticks_, even to the Degree of a Poison. Who does not

know that _Antimony_ may be taken crude in large Quantities without any

manifest Effect, but that the Chymist can take somewhat from it, that in

few Grains shall operate beyond the Power of a strong Constitution to

bear?

THOSE Arrows of Death therefore that make such dreadful Slaughter in a

_Contagion_, are the animal Salts of infected Persons, set loose from

their natural Combinations, and subtilized into the highest Degree of

Volatility, by the Agitation and fermentative Motion of a Fever. And the

Buboes, Carbuncles, _&c._ in a _Pestilence_, are nothing else but

Collections of Particles, or Coalescences, formed in such irregular

Motions, and thrown out of the Course of Circulation by those necessary

Laws whereby every Thing is rejected, that cannot be assimilated into

homogeneous and like Properties: The Matter of which Excretions is

likewise of so subtile and fermenting a Nature, that if introduced into

the Fluids of another well Person, it excites there the same Motion and

Disorder.

THIS change of animal Substances into a Poison, is too common a Truth to

want any Attestation to those who have been but indifferently conversant

in Natural Enquiries. And it is greatly to our Purpose, that even those

Creatures, which are generally deemed poisonous, do require certain

Degrees of Heat, and animal Action, to exalt their Juices to so high a

Degree of Volatility, as to put on the Properties of a Poison, and act as

such upon other living Creatures; insomuch that it is not only a common

Observation that these Animals lose their poisonous Nature when remov’d

into Climes colder than what is natural to them, but that also they are

not so venomous in their own Climates, at the cooler Seasons of the Year,

as in the most sultry.

BUT the Case of a mad Dog entirely comes up to that of a _Contagion_ from

a Fever. When the hotter Seasons of the Year throw that Creature into

Madness, it is manifestly from a great Increase of Velocity and Motion in

the Fluids, which brings on what is equivalent to a _Delirium_, by an

additional _Impetus_ upon the Brain, and for want of so much Room through

the Skin for Transpiration, as in other Animals; the chief Evacuation is

by the Glands of the Mouth: That is, in short, the Dog hath a Fever, which

breaks the natural Texture of the Juices, disengages and subtilizes the

more rigid or saline Parts, and critically discharges them by the most

convenient Outlets the Creature is furnished with, changed into such a

poisonous Nature, that wheresoever they come to mix with the Juices of

others, they excite in them the like inordinate and mischievous

Alterations.

THIS Theory likewise might be further illustrated by many Instances from

inanimated Fluids, which are capable of being put into Fermentation by a

very small Portion of Matter, and which shall by such an Agitation from

new Particles, or _Moleculæ_ having Properties of communicating the same

Effects to another quiescent Fluid; not much unlike what we see in the

Communication and Propagation of Fire, which is excited and carried on in

proper Subjects from the minutest Beginnings, and increasing also in its

own Force as it spreads.

WHEN a Person therefore falls into a Fever from any epidemic, or other

more private Cause, and that Fever rises to such a Degree of Malignity as

is always supposed in a _Pestilence_, as far as any _Effluvia_ do exhale

from that Person, so far may he be said to have round him a contagious and

poisonous _Atmosphere_; because there transpires from him such Particles

as will excite in other Animals of like Constitution, the same

fermentative Motions as those to which they owe their own Origin.

ALTHOUGH therefore, in the Beginning of epidemical Diseases, and during

the Subsistence of their common Causes, particular Regard is to be had to

these Causes, and the Manner whereby they affect the People; yet when it

is come to this pass, that the Fever it self is productive of a Poison, or

somewhat intirely disagreeable, that communicates the same Impressions

upon others, without any Concurrence of the first Cause, then such a

Fever is truly a Pestilence by Contagion, and all precautionary Regards

ought peculiarly to be suited, to prevent its Infection or Spreading;

either by keeping the well Subjects clear from the sick, or destroying the

Influence of the poisonous Exhalations, or fortifying the sound against

it. But to these Ends, it is necessary to have some tolerable Notion of

the Manner how these secret Destroyers are continued, and conveyed to

great Distances.

THE most common Manner of conveying and spreading a Contagion, observable

in the preceding historical Collections, and which also is the Case of our

present Apprehensions from Abroad, is by infected Persons, and

Merchandize; it being attested by too many Facts to admit of the least

Doubt, that even Packs and Bails of Goods carry the poisonous _Miasmata_

about with them; and from the Nature that we here suppose this Poison to

be of, nothing is more likely to preserve it than animal Substances, as

Hair, Wool, Leather, Skins, _&c._ because the very Manner of its

Production, and the Nature of its Origin, seems to give it a greater

Affinity with such Substances than any other, and to dispose it to rest

therein until by Warmth, or any other Means of Dislodgement, it is put

into Motion, and raised again into the ambient Air.

TO know how these _Effluvia_ come to have such fatal Influences over

Mankind, and to understand their Progression from the first Seizure, to

the End of that Distemper they gave Birth to, requires too many

_Precognita_ from the Mechanism of the animal OEconomy, and the Agency of

such minute Instruments, to be particular about, in the Compass here

limited. And a Reader who is duly fitted for such Enquiries, will find the

utmost Satisfaction from _Bellini_ of _Fevers_, and Dr. _Mead_ of

_Poisons_; how the Blood, and all the Secretions therefrom, are affected,

and changed by such Causes.

WE shall here therefore only suggest some Hints concerning the Suddenness

of their Seizure, and their Energy of Operation. And this will not be

difficult to conceive by those who are acquainted with that universal

Property of Matter, whereby it is more or less determined to draw, and

unite again, when separated into Parcels, according to the greater or

lesser Affinities of their Figures, Solidities, and Quantities of Motion.

As nothing therefore in Nature is supposed to bear a greater Similitude,

than in this Case the natural animal Salts do with what hath been

subtilized and set on Float in the Air, it can be no Wonder that when the

Ambient is sated with the latter, they readily join with the former, as

soon as they are received into the Body. And this is supported by the

Authority even of _Bellini_, who allows, in the Beginning of his XXVIII_th

Proposition_, that the _Antecedents_ to a pestilential Fever do sometimes

vitiate the Spirits immediately in Quality.

AS the ordinary Course therefore of producing Fevers is by disordering the

Blood first in Quality, with such Mixtures as coagulate it, that is, as

make it unequally fluid, some Parts being thinner, and others thicker than

natural; so by these extreamly subtile _Effluvia_, in a _Contagion_, the

Spirits are destroyed in their natural Texture, and the more rigid and

saline Parts, by a Combination with the venomous _Spicula_, changed into

Dispositions destructive of that Constitution they were before destined to

preserve. Whosoever then considers what must be the necessary Consequences

of such an immediate Depravation and Change in that Fluid, which is an

absolute Requisite to all animal Action, will not at all wonder at any of

the Affections which are commonly enumerated as the _Concomitants_ of a

Contagion; and a tolerable Acquaintance with the OEconomy, by the Help

especially of the Authors before referred to on _Fevers_ and _Poisons_,

will enable any one to account severally for their Production.

THIS then being the Case of a _Contagion_, that a Person having a Fever,

critically throws off poisonous _Effluvia_, which were generated during

such irregular Motions of the animal Fluids, insomuch as to diffuse for

some Distance round, what will infect other Persons within their reach;

and that so many have got this Infection, that no Part of the Air, for

some Tract of the Country together, is free from them; the poisonous

_Atmospheres_, if they may be so termed, of the infected, extending and

mixing into one universal, common _Contagion_; this, I say, being the Case

here under Examination, why any at all survive, must be owing either to

the Goodness of their Constitution, or to proper Means to defend against

its Infection, or to conquer it when received; which naturally brings us

to consider these two important Ends, of _Preservation_ and _Cure_.

AS for the _First_ of these, the common Experience, of meaner People being

mostly carried off, admonishes all to live upon as nutritive and generous

a Diet as can be procured; and such Things as not only yeild due

Nourishment, but Plenty of Spirits, and what easily perspires. For there

are many Things of good Nourishment, that are not easily perspired; such

as all light and viscid Substances, as Pork, Fish, and the like, which

therefore are very apt to go into Fermentation, and generate Corruption;

in short, whatever even the common People have Notions of, as apt to bring

Surfeits, ought to be avoided, and such Means of Subsistance complied

with, as generate a warm, rich Blood; and in Proportion to the Ways of

Living at other Times, should every one, except those who accustom

themselves to Riot and Excess, indulge himself at a higher Rate.

ROASTED Meats are by all preferred to boiled, and if Pickles and high

Sauces are ever to be encouraged, it is on these Occasions; and _Garlick_,

_Shallot_, _Onions_, &c. are extreamly serviceable, and preferable to the

hot, dry, spicy Seasonings, because their pungent Volatility seems

naturally covered with a Softness, or balsamick Quality, more agreeable

to the Nature of animal Spirits. To which Purpose it is very remarkable,

that in the Histories of many Pestilences, Notice is frequently taken of

the Exemption of _Jews_, and People who deal much in such Fare, from

Infection. And it is customary with some experienced Sailors, to lay in

great Stores of such Things against their Arrival at infected, and

unwholsome Countries.

THERE is also a very strict Regard to be had to the Firmness and Strength

of the Solids, which is greatly assisted by moderate Exercises, but

carefully avoiding too much, and every Thing that occasions too great an

Expence of Spirits at a Time, and particularly by over-Warmth. But to this

Purpose I cannot conceive any Thing more serviceable than frequent

Immersion in cold Water, so that the Times of staying in are as short as

possible, the Good received hereby being chiefly in the first Shudder and

Constriction; and it is particularly to be remembred, tho’ the preceding

Author hath omitted it, that Watermen, and others, whose Occasions

imployed them much upon the River, and in the Cold, suffered least in the

late Sickness. The Use of _Vinegar_, and other _Acids_, are also of

Service for the like Intention.

YET besides the Helps for this End from common Diet, and Way of Living,

Assistances may also be had from Medicinal Preservatives, such as those

commonly termed _Antidotes_, consisting of spicy volatile Particles, which

afford a natural _Pabulum_ to the animal Spirits, and by carrying into the

whole Habit a fine subtle Oil, the better secure them against those

Contagions _Spicula_ which are in Readiness to mix with them; and for this

Purpose, we are furnished with a most elegant and useful Medicine, since

many Authors of Note have wrote on this Subject, which is the _Sal

Volatile Oleosum_, if it be well loaded with the essential Oils of Spicy

Ingredients; although indeed with some Constitutions more fetid

Compositions are very suitable; but they all agree in carrying into the

Habit somewhat that both recruits, and guards the Spirits against any

foreign Mixture, or from unnatural Separations of their saline and humid

Parts. And to the same End, in robust Constitutions, who have been

accustomed to fare hard, the Spirit or Oil of Turpentine frequently drank

in small Doses might be a great Means to preserve the poorer Sort from

Infection.

BECAUSE former Writers on these Occasions have given _Formulæ_ of things

of this kind, much more prolix and inelegant than the present Practice is

accustomed to, it may not perhaps be unacceptable to give two or three

Examples more conformable to the latter. But because I judge such general

Prescriptions rather of Prejudice than Service, when they come hastily and

inadvertently to be required by the common People, I cannot but think it

much better to leave such to be ordered and regulated according to

particular Persons Constitutions and Exigencies.

AS to those preservative Means which a Government only have the Power to

provide, they must likewise be left to those who have that Power, but,

with due Submission to such, it is conceived that removing infected

Persons is a much easier and safer Care, than shutting them up in great

Towns: And it was certainly the greatest Error committed in the late

_Plague_ here, as our Author above grievously complains, to confine the

sick and well together.

IT seems a Point yet in Dispute, whether great Fires at such a Time are of

Service or hurtful, which to me is somewhat wonderful, because whosoever

considers the Necessity for Air in Respiration, and by what Quality it

becomes of such real Service to the Preservation of Life, cannot think

such Fires proper, because they destroy that very Property in the Air,

which is demonstrable by innumerable Experiments. As to the Dissipation

indeed of pestilential Vapours, or their Destruction in any Manner, they

undoubtedly may do Service, but then that ought to be done at vast

Distances only from where People inhabit. And what Fires common Occasions

require at such Times, are rather to be made with such Substances as

abound with, and yield a nitrous Salt, because that seems to be the chief

Support of the vital Property in the Air, and such are our common Coals;

for every one knows how much more all Wood-Fires are suffocating, and give

a Languor, and Flatness to the Spirits.

PRESERVATIVE Fumigations are largely talked of by all, on these Occasions,

and they with good Reason deserve to be practised, because while the

Poison is on Float in the Air, it may undoubtedly be entangled so as to

lose its Power of acting as such; but then for this Purpose such Things

ought to be used as exhale very subtile Sulphurs, as the spicy Drugs and

Gums. And on this Account I suspect Wood-Fires to be bad, because they

raise into the Air a very gross and viscid Humidity, which is not only

very unfit to lay hold on, and unite with, the extreamly minute Agents

that are to be provided against, but also carry into the Lungs with the

Air in Respiration, such Particles, as dispose of themselves to

Viscidities, and such Changes in the Blood, as are the Production of the

worst Fevers, without any other co-operating Cause; for the Fire only

forces out that Moisture, which, while a Tree is in its Growth, naturally

perspires from it; and how an Air so impregnated is like to be of Service

against a Pestilence, any one may soon be a Judge, who considers those

Kinds of Fevers which are most commonly epidemical in wood-land Countries.

SUCH Drugs however as are from a vegetable Production, and abound with

subtile, volatile Parts, are of Service to be exhaled into the Air this

way, both by their Fitness to join with, and cover those venomous

_Spicula_ that are on float; and to mix with the Animal Fluids by

Respiration and Insinuation into the Pores, whereby they convey, as it

were, an _Antidote_, wheresoever the Poison is able to penetrate, and

which grosser Vapours can by no means do.

OF this kind are chiefly _Storax_, _Benjamin_, _Frankincense_, and all the

Aromatick Roots and Woods; and amongst them all, I cannot think the Smell

of _Tar_, _Pitch_, &c. is inferior in any Respects, where its Scent is not

particularly offensive. And these Things should be burnt at such Distances

of Time from each other, that the Air may be always sensibly impregnated

with them.

BUT as some have sad Apprehensions from the Air being still, and as it

were stagnant at such Times, and not without good Reason, as it favours

the Collection of poisonous _Effluvia_, and aggravates an Infection; for

the Prevention of which, it is proposed at certain Intervals to fire off

great Guns, and the like: I cannot but imagine, that for this End, it

would be much more effectual to let off small Parcels of the common

_Pulvis Fulminans_, in such Openings of a large Town, as Squares and

Market-Places; for whosoever hath been accustomed to any Experiments with

this Composition, must have perceived a much greater Shock given to the

Air by its Explosion, than by the largest Pieces of Ordnance; insomuch

that if any Objection can lie against the Practice of this in _London_,

should there be Occasion, it is the crasie Condition of the City

Buildings, which perhaps may not well stand its Shocks, were they to be

made with good Quantities of it at a time.

THE Matter likewise of this Composition in some Measure bespeaks its

Usefulness for these Purposes on other Accounts, besides its _Elastick_

Force, because it diffuses into the Air great Quantities of that nitrous

Salt, which is known to add much to its Serviceableness in Life: And

whosoever considers how much cheaper this is to be procured, and how much

easier practised than the firing off Guns, especially in the Middle of

great Towns, cannot but be desirous to try it, in Case of such Calamities

as are now with too much Reason feared; it may not therefore be

unacceptable to give its Composition here.

℞ _Sal. Nitri Partes +iij.+ Sal. Tartari P. +ij.+ Sulphuris P. +j.+ optime

misceantur in Mortario, parùm tepefacto, & servetur ad usuum vase bene

obturato._

THIS is order’d in a warm Mortar, and to be kept close, because the _Salt

of Tartar_ is apt to imbibe a Moisture from the Air, which hinders its

Explosion. A Drachm or two put in as close a Heap as possible upon an

Iron Plate over any Fire, will in a little Time go off with a Report and

Concussion beyond that of any Gun whatsoever; so that in a calm Season,

and an infected Air, great Services may undoubtedly be had from its

frequent Practice.

AS to the curative Part in such a terrible Visitation, it cannot be

expected that Rules can be given suitable to every one’s Case but by such

as attend upon them; and the most that can be in general laid down to this

Purpose, may be collected from the preceding Treatise of Dr. _Hodges_.

Although as to the Choice of _Alexipharmicks_, they are certainly best

that are most subtile, and capable of being carried by the Course of

Circulation into the finest Recesses of the Constitution, whereinto it is

manifest the extream Subtilty of the pestilential Poison is capable to

enter: And amongst all of this Class, I take _Camphire_ to be much the

more preferable; which therefore I would propose not only to be repeated

in proper Doses to an infected Person, till a due _Crisis_ is obtained,

but also now and then given to those who are well, by way of Prevention.

And because some Persons, notwithstanding what has been before said, will

be pleased with some general _Formulæ_ to these Purposes, the following

are offered to be complied with, or varied, at every one’s Discretion, who

is a Judge of such Matters.

℞ _Conserv. Rutæ, Flor. Rorismar. ana +℥ j.+ Species diambræ sine odoratis

+ʒ j.+ Balsam. è Mechâ +ʒ [ss.]+ pulv. Croci angl. +℈ j.+ Syr. Balsam. q. s.

ut F. Electuarium, cujus sum. quantitatem N. M. omni mane, & horâ somni

superbibendo Haustulum Vini albi Lisbonensis, vel Hispanici, tepefacti._

To the Night Dose of this, may be added sometimes 2 or 3 Grains of

_Camphire_, especially if a Person feels any Indisposition that requires a

breathing Sweat, some may perhaps like the following better.

℞ _Cons. Rutæ +℥ j.+ Mithrid. +℥ [ss.]+ Pulv. Fol. Scordij +ʒ j.+ rad.

Contrayerv. Serpentarij_ +Virgin.+ _ana +ʒ [ss.]+ Sal. volat. Viperar. Croci

angl. ana +℈ j.+ Syr. Balsam. q. s. ut f. Elect. sumend. codem modo._

Or,

℞ _Confect. +Tracastorij+ sine Melle, Mithrid. ana +℥ [ss.]+ Boli veri,

Terræ +Japon.+ ana +ʒ j.+ Castor. Salis succin. Croci angl. ana +℈ j.+

Confect. Alkerm. sine odoratis q. s. ut F. Electuarium ad usum prædictum,

precipue h. somni._

BESIDES a precautionary Use of these with proper Diluters, and under the

Direction of those who are Judges; some Security may possibly be had from

odoriferous Substances to smell to, especially at a Time of conversing

with the infected; for which Purpose I know of nothing so grateful and

efficacious, as the _Volatile Sal Armoniac_, well impregnated with the

essential Oils of Aromatick Ingredients, and as it is to be procured dry,

to be kept in small Bottles, from a careful Distillation of the common

_Sal Volatile Oleosum_. But if in any Cases more fetid Substances are

preferable, Compositions may be easily made of such from _Rue_,

_Featherfew_, _Galbanum_, _Assa-fætida_, and the like; for these, with

some Persons agree better than more grateful Scents.

FREQUENTLY to dissolve in the Mouth the following _Lozenges_, or something

like them, I also imagine may be of Service; especially to those who are

conversant in infected Places.

℞ _Boli veri opt. +℥ j.+ Terræ Japon. +ʒ ij.+ Coral. rub. Margarit. opt.

levigat. Flor. Benz. ana +ʒ j. [ss.]+ ol. Cinnam. gut. +xij.+ Sacchar.

albis. +lib. j.+ Mucelag. Gum. Tragacanth. in aq. Rosar. Dam. q. s. form.

in Troch. ad usum prædictum._ For those who like it, may be added some

_Ambergrease_; enough to give a light Scent of it.

PRESERVATORY Evacuations of all kinds are much disputed in these Cases,

and not worth our particular Regard in this Place; for thus much is plain

to all who are competent Judges in such Matters, that but very few

Circumstances can justifie them; because every Evacuation, unless that of

Perspiration, gives more Liberty for any Thing noxious without, to

insinuate into the Pores, as there is made thereby less Resistance to its

Admission; not to say any Thing of the Danger in such a Practice, by

lessening at the same Time the Quantities of Spirits and Strength, which

cannot but be mischievous: And particularly ought all Persons at such

Times to avoid too lax a Temper of Body; for which Purpose, these

preservatory Means just hinted at, mostly tend to astringe the Bowels, and

increase Perspiration.

_FINIS._

A Table of the Funerals

IN THE

Several Parishes within the Bills of Mortality

of the City of _LONDON_,

For the Year 1665.

_No. of Funerals_|_Plag._

ST. Albans Woodstreet | 200 | 121

St. Alhallows Barkin | 514 | 330

St. Alhallows Bread-street | 35 | 16

St. Alhallows the Great | 455 | 426

St. Alhallows Honey-lane | 10 | 5

St. Alhallows the Less | 239 | 175

St. Alhallows Lombardstreet | 90 | 62

St. Alhallows Staining | 185 | 112

St. Alhallows the Wall | 500 | 356

St. Alphage | 271 | 115

St. Andrew Hubbard | 71 | 25

St. Andrew Undershaft | 274 | 189

St. Andrew Wardrobe | 476 | 308

St. Anne Aldersgate | 282 | 197

St. Anne Black-Friers | 652 | 467

St. Antholins | 58 | 35

St. Austins | 43 | 20

St. Bartholomew Exchange | 73 | 51

St. Bennet Finch | 47 | 22

St. Bennet Grace-church | 57 | 41

St. Bennet Pauls Wharf | 355 | 172

St. Bennet Sherehog | 11 | 1

St. Botolph Billinsgate | 83 | 50

Christ Church | 653 | 467

St. Christophers | 60 | 47

St. Clements Eastcheap | 38 | 20

St. Dionys Back-church | 78 | 27

St. Dunstans in the East | 265 | 150

St. Edmunds Lombardstreet | 70 | 36

St. Ethelborough | 195 | 106

St. Faiths | 104 | 70

St. Fosters | 144 | 105

St. Gabriel Fenchurch | 69 | 39

St. George Botolph-lane | 41 | 27

St. Gregories by Pauls | 376 | 232

St. Helens | 108 | 75

St. James Dukes-place | 262 | 190

St. James Garlickhith | 189 | 118

St. John Baptist Walbrook | 138 | 83

St. John Evangelist | 9 |

St. John Zachary | 85 | 54

St. Katherine Coleman-street| 299 | 213

St. Katherine Cree-church | 335 | 201

St. Lawrence Jewry | 94 | 48

St. Lawrence Pountney | 214 | 140

St. Leonard Eastcheap | 42 | 27

St. Leonard Foster-lane | 335 | 255

St. Magnus | 103 | 30

St. Margaret Lothbury | 100 | 66

St. Margaret Moses | 38 | 25

St. Margaret New Fishstreet | 114 | 66

St. Margaret Pattons | 49 | 24

Sr. Mary Abchurch | 99 | 54

St. Mary Aldermanbury | 181 | 109

St. Mary Aldermary | 105 | 75

St. Mary-le-Bow | 64 | 36

St. Mary Bothaw | 55 | 30

St. Mary Colechurch | 17 | 6

St. Mary Hill | 94 | 64

St. Mary Mounthaw | 56 | 37

St. Mary Somerset | 342 | 262

St. Mary Stainings | 47 | 27

St. Mary Woolchurch | 65 | 33

St. Mary Woolnoth | 75 | 38

St. Martins Ironmonger-lane | 21 | 11

St. Martins Ludgate | 196 | 128

St. Martins Orgars | 110 | 71

St. Martins Outwich | 60 | 34

St. Martins Vintrey | 417 | 349

St. Matthew Friday-street | 24 | 6

St. Maudlins Milk-street | 44 | 22

St. Maudlins Old Fish-street| 176 | 121

St. Michael Bassishaw | 253 | 164

St. Michael Cornhil | 104 | 52

St. Michael Crooked-lane | 179 | 133

St. Michael Queenhith | 203 | 122

St. Michael Quern | 44 | 18

St. Michael Royal | 152 | 116

St. Michael Woodstreet | 122 | 62

St. Mildred Bread-street | 59 | 26

St. Mildred Poultrey | 68 | 46

St. Nicholas Acons | 46 | 28

St. Nicholas Coleabby | 125 | 91

St. Nicholas Olaves | 90 | 62

St. Olaves Hart-street | 237 | 160

St. Olaves Jewry | 54 | 32

St. Olaves Silver-street | 250 | 132

St. Pancras Soper-lane | 30 | 15

St. Olaves Jewry | 54 | 32

St. Olaves Silver-street | 250 | 132

St. Pancras Soper-lane | 30 | 15

St. Peters Cheap | 61 | 35

St. Peters Cornhil | 136 | 76

St. Peters Pauls Wharf | 114 | 86

St. Peters Poor | 79 | 47

St. Stephens Coleman-street | 560 | 391

St. Stephens Walbrook | 34 | 17

St. Swithins | 93 | 56

St. Thomas Apostle | 163 | 110

Trinity Parish | 115 | 79

_In the 97 Parishes within the Walls,

Total of the Funerals 15207; Died of the Plague 9887._

* * * * *

St. Andrew Holborn |3958 |3103

St. Bartholomew the Great | 493 | 344

St. Bartholomew the Less | 193 | 139

St. Bridget |2111 |1427

Bridewel Precinct | 230 | 179

St. Botolph Aldersgate | 997 | 755

St. Botolph Aldgate |4926 |4051

St. Botolph Bishopsgate |3464 |2500

St. Dunstans in the West | 958 | 665

St. George Southwark |1613 |1260

St. Giles Cripplegate |8069 |4838

St. Olaves Southwark |4793 |2785

St. Saviours Southwark |4235 |3446

St. Sepulchres |4509 |2746

St. Thomas Southwark | 475 | 371

Trinity Minories | 168 | 123

At the Pesthouse | 159 | 156

_In the 16 Parishes without the Walls,

Total of the Funerals 41351; Died of the Plague 28888._

* * * * *

St. Giles in the Fields |4457 |3216

Hackney Parish | 232 | 132

St. James Clerkenwel |1863 |1377

St. Katherines Tower | 956 | 601

Lambeth Parish | 798 | 537

St. Leonards Shoreditch |2669 |1949

St. Magdalens Bermondsey |1943 |1363

St. Mary Newington |1272 |1004

St. Mary Islington | 696 | 593

St. Mary Whitechappel |4766 |3855

Rotherhith Parish | 304 | 210

Stepney Parish |8598 |6583

_In the 12 Parishes in the outer Parts,

Total of the Funerals 28554; Died of the Plague 21420._

* * * * *

St. Clements Danes |1969 |1319

St. Paul Covent Garden | 408 | 261

St. Martins in the Fields |4804 |2883

St. Mary Savoy | 303 | 198

St. Margarets Westminster |4710 |3742

Whereof at the Pesthouse |–––– | 156

_In the 5 Parishes of the City and Liberties of +Westminster+,

Total of the Funerals 12194; Died of the Plague 8403._

* * * * *

Total of the Funerals —— 97306.

Died of the Plague —— 68596.

_Besides many, of which no Account was given by the

Parish-Clerks, and who were privately Buried._

FOOTNOTES:

[1] De Bello Punico.

[2] Lib. 10. Cap. 3.

[3] Tom. 1. memorab. Cent. 10.

[4] In his _Scholium_ upon Obs. 9. Lib. 6.

[5] De Peste, Lib. 6.

[6] De Peste, Lib. 1.

[7] Præf. de Imperio Solis ac Lunæ, _&c._

[8] Lib. 8. Segon. 70.

[9] Nat. Hist. of _Oxfordshire_, Chap. 2.

[10] De Medicin. _Egypt_. Lib. 1. Cap. 15.

[11] Hist. _India_ and _Brasil_.

[12] De Bello _Judaico_, Lib. 7. Cap. 26.

[13] De Bello _Civili_, Lib. 2.

[14] Lib. 6. Obser. 9. and 26.

[15] Lib 1. de differ. Feb. Cap. 3. & de cibis mali & boni succi.

[16] Comment, in Lib. de natalium, text. 4.

[17] Dissert. de Peste.

[18] De montis Vesuvii Incendio.

[19] Hist. 73.

[20] Nat. Hist. of _Oxfordshire_, Chap. 3. Par. 31.

[21] Nat. Hist. Cap. 18. Sect. 4.

[22] No. 3.

[23] _Vid._ Epidem. _and_ de Aere, Aquis & Locis.

[24] _Vid._ Comment. in Epidem. _Hippocrates_.

[25] Hist. _Ind. & Brasil_.

[26] Probl. 1.

[27] Lib. 1. Decad. 4.

[28] Lib. 15. Cap. 10.

[29] Epidem. Lib. 2 & 3. de Aere Aquis & Locis. Aph. 11. Sect. 3.

[30] Comment. in Epidem. Lib. 3. de differ. Febr. Cap. 4. de Temperam Lib.

1. Cap. 4.

[31] Vid. _Purchas_ Pilgr. Lib. 6. C. 1. as also _Joan_. _Les +Hist.+

Afric._ Lib. 1. Cap. 1.

[32] Medicina Statica. Sect. 2. Aph. 18.

[33] Ibid. Aph. 6, and 29.

[34] Lib. 3. Epidem.

[35] De Abdit. Lib. 2. Cap. 12.

[36] Ibid.

[37] De Febr. purp. Cap. 2.

[38] Lib. 5. decad.

[39] De Antris Lethiferis, Art. 2.

[40] Loco cit.

[41] Ovid. Met. m. lib. 7.

[42] De morbis contag. lib. 2. cap. 7.

[43] De Bello Illyrico.

[44] De Medic. _Egypt._

TRANSCRIBER’S AMENDMENTS

Transcriber’s Note: The Table of Contents was added. Blank pages have

been deleted. The illustrations may have been moved. The first

illustration, consisting of part of the original title page, has been

added. Footnotes have been moved to immediately above this note. When the

author’s preference could be determined, we have rendered consistent on a

per-word-pair basis the hyphenation or spacing of such pairs when repeated

in the same grammatical context. The publisher’s inadvertent omissions of

important punctuation have been corrected. The gesperrt letter spacing

has been deleted.

The following list indicates any additional changes. The page number

represents that of the original publication and applies in this etext

except for footnotes and illustrations since they may have been moved.

Page Change

4 whose Spirits being manifesty[manifestly] sunk

30 from the most irrefrigable[irrefragable] Authority,

67 and their Restautation[Restauration], Confirmation, and Vigour,

67 in a very particlar[particular] Manner,

91 Coats, being endewed[endowed] with an exquisite Sense,

107 and by whose colliquitive[colliquative] Quality

108 Some cotinued[continued] in a Profusion of Sweat

116 its Origin was from the Arteral[Arterial] and Venal Fluids;

117 where they of themselves chrvstallize,[chrystallize] by Means

127 and killed her in a[delete] about three Days

133 as the Cofiguration[Configuration] of Vessels

138 went no further than the Skin, would oftentimes shough[slough] off

146 the Case if likewise noc[not] much better when

147 likewise brings on a dangerous Colliquitation[Colliquatation],

152 Chapter VI[VII]

152 a pestilential Infection is extreamely[extreamly] dangerous,

156 for if the other Sumptoms[Symptoms] do not remit

158 _Meadow-sweet_, _Butter-Burr[Butterbur]_, &c.

168 Decoctions may coveniently[conveniently] be made

176 _An Alexiteral[Alexiterial] Water._

186 their doing eirther[either] Injury to themselves

190 which some, however, liked better to ule[use]

204 studiously avoided all Points of Con-[delete] Controversy;

205 admoniihes[admonishes] us to use all possible Endeavours

208 agitate the poisonous _Mismata[Miasmata]_,

212 rosatæ [dram] ij. trcchisc[trochisc]. de rhabarb.

215 in colaturâ ad lentum B. calorenz[calorem] dissolve Aloës

249 continued cold Rains, as likewise does _Fermelius[Fernelius]_

252 that is taken Notice off[of] by Physicians

260 small Quantity of some fermening[fermenting] Substances

275 that the _Antecedents_ to a pestilenlential[pestilential] Fever

283 this kind are cheifly[chiefly] _Storax_

283 the like: I cannot but imagin[imagine], that for this

288 is plain to all who who[delete] are competent Judges

* * * * *