Dr. Percival en the EffeBs of Famine ^ ^c. 521 



became intolerably difagreeable to him. When 

 a malignant contagion prevails in hofpitals, 

 goals, or parifh work-houfes, it is to be feared 

 that the preventives, I have recommended> 

 will afford no adequate fecurity. They may, 

 however, be of fome avail: and it would furely 

 be raflinefs and prefun^ption to negled them al- 

 together. But firmer grounds of confidence 

 may reafonably influence the minds of thofe, 

 who are led by official or profeiripnal duty to in- 

 cur fuch dangers. " I have been frequently 

 ** aflced," fays the humane writer whom I have 

 jufl: quoted, and with whofe v/ords I fliall now 

 clofe this commentary, " what precautions I 

 " ufe tp prefcrve myfelf from infeclion, in the 

 " prifons and hofpitals which I vifit. I here 

 " anfvver, that next to the free goodnefs and 



*■■ mercy of the Author of my being, temperance 

 and cleanlinefs are my prefervatives. Trufting 



' in Divine Providence, and believing niyfelf in 

 " the way of my diity^ I vifit the mofl noxious 

 *f cells ; and, v.'hile thus employed, I fear ?io 

 «' eviir * 



• Howard on Prifons, p. 4.31, 8vo. 1783. 



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