142 Of the insalubrity of FLAT &c. 



great ineafure, to this circumllance, that all new coun- 

 tries are fo generally fatal to the firft fettlers. 



The fame land after it has been cultivated a few years, 

 efpecially if there be fufficient declivity to prevent the 

 water from ftagnating, lofes its unwholefomenefs, the 

 putrefcent fubftances mixed with the foil or fuperficial 

 ftratum of the ground haivng finifhed the putrefattive pro- 

 cefs by that time. In order therefore to render and pre- 

 ferve marlliy countries healthful, they fliould be pre- 

 ferved dry and clean by means of the fpade, the plow, 

 and the rake. 



When the level fituation of a place prevents the ftagnant 

 water from being carried off by drains, deep wells Ifiould 

 be dug, in different places for the water to colle<il in, by 

 which means a greater portion of the foil will be rendered 

 dry, and lefs noxious. 



To prevent flill farther the injurious effedls of refiding 

 near marfhes or mill ponds ; rows of fuch trees as grow 

 rapidly, and retain their verdure late in the feafon, fhould 

 be planted between thofe fituations and the manfion, for 

 the purpofe of intercepting the moifture in its progrefs, 

 while they furnifh a conftant fupply of oxygen to the 

 atmofphere. 



Lodging in the upper ftory of a houfe has been found 

 to preferve health during a fickly feafon, inftances of 

 which are recorded by Sir John Pringle. This appears 

 to be owing to thofe fituations being out of the reach of 

 the moifture from the ground. 



Defcr'iption 



