■ths Validity of the Doctrine of Contagion in the Plague, 433 



seilles. A passenger went on shore (for there was no quaran- 

 tine establisl'ment, at least it was not rigid) ; the passenger went 

 on shore, and shortly after the plague appeared at Marseilles. 

 Never heard the plague carried eastward from Smyrna by the 

 caravans. Has heard it remarked that the plague did not ex- 

 tend beyond Turkey. Has never known any person who handled 

 the goods in quarantine, infected in England. Attributes our 

 never having seen the plague in England, for a great number of 

 years, to the state of atmosphere. Does not think the goods 

 which arrive in the quarantine establishment could produce 

 plague. Should not apprehend the danger of the plague being 

 brought in any way but bv persons actually infected with it. 

 Conceives t!ie climate materially altered since the plague in Lon- 

 don ; not only the climate, but the circumstances of the country 

 generally, and especially London itself; the improvements in 

 London render it generally less liable to epidemic disease. Has 

 many doubts as to the identity of the plague in 1665 with the 

 plague in Turkey. The symptoms do not appear to be the same. 

 Is by no means of opinion, however, that the performalnce of 

 quarantine should be abolished. Thinks that many modifica- 

 tions may be established without any risk, but that it would 

 be improper to abolish the regulations altogether ; not only be- 

 cause it is necessary to have a proper examination of all vessels 

 arriving, to see the state of health of the crew and passengers 

 when they arrive ; but because it is also absolutely necessary, that 

 we should observe certain formalities of quarantine, on account 

 of our connection with other countries where a more rigid qua- 

 rantine is conceived necessary. If the quarantine estaljlishments 

 of this country were abolished, no matter why, it might occasion 

 a prohibition of our vessels in other ports. 



Being asked to state the process of ventilating goods, — an- 

 swers: " The English lazarettos are old men-of-war, with houses 

 built upon them like an ark; the sides of these houses are open 

 like a brewhouse, with shutters, and the floors arc all open Rat- 

 ings in fact, sO that the ventilation is excessive on board these 

 vessels in Standgate Creek, greater than it is possible to give on 

 any building on shore. The ships also swing with the tide; that 

 is, when the tide turns they change their sides to windward every 

 ^ix hours. Rememl)crs Sir Gilbert Blaine and Dr, Johnson went 

 down to Standgute Creek to examine the floating lazarettos, and 

 they stated the ventilation was the greatest they liad ever met with. 

 Dr. Johnson told Sir Lucas Pepys, that the ventilation was greater 

 than the north-west winds on the coast of America. In some 

 species of goods the bales are ripped ojien on one side, sudiciently 

 tft let in the air, and for different periods of time, far common 

 bills of health and foul bills ; in one instance they undergo 1.5 days 



Vol. 5 1. No. 260. Dec. I S 1 9. E e quarantine. 



