210 ENQUIRY into tut CAUSE oF 
1. Whether the matter which produces fevers be of an 
organic, or inorganic nature, I do not pretend to deter- 
mine, but it is certain, that fire or the /moke or heat, 
which iflue from it, deftroy the effects of marfh miafmata 
upon the human body; hence we find cities more healthy 
than country places, and the centre of cities more heal- 
thy than their fuburbs in the fickly months. To derive 
the utmoft poffible benefit from this method of prevent- 
ing ficknefs, I would advife large fires to be made every 
evening of brufh between the fpots from whence the ex- 
halations are derived, and the dwelling houfe, and as 
near to the latter as is fafe, and not difagreeable. This 
practice fhould be continued till the appearance of two 
or three frofts, for frofts as well as heavy rains in the au- 
tumnal months never fail to put a ftop to the progrefs of 
intermittents. 
During the fickly feafon, fires fhould be likewife kept 
in every room in the dwelling houfe, even in thofe cafes 
where the heat of the weather makes it neceflary to keep 
the doors and windows open. 
2. Let me advife my countrymen in fickly fituations, 
to prefer woolen and cotton to linen clothes in the fum- 
mer and autumnal months. ‘The moft fickly parts of the 
ifland of Jamacia have been rendered more healthy, fince 
the inhabitants have adopted the ufe of woolen and cotton 
garments inftead of linen. 
During the late war, I knew many officers both in the 
Britifh and American armies who efcaped fevers in the 
moft fickly places, by wearing woolen fhirts, or wail{t- 
coats conftantly next to their fkins. I have heard the pre- 
fent diminution of the human body in ftrength and {fize, 
compared with its ancient vigor and form, afcribed in 
part to the introduaion of linen garments. I am not 
difpofed to controvert this opinion, but I am fure of the 
efficacy of woolen clothes in wet and cold climates in pre- 
venting fevers of all kinds. The parliament of Great 
Britain 
