the Validihj of the Boclnne of Contagion in the Plague. 435 



mitted, that if danger of infection could exist at all, it might not 

 be correct to siil)ject any individual to the process of turning those 

 skins. That was his opinion at the time ; and after having dis- 

 cussed the subject, and taken the opinion of the persons supposed 

 to be most competent to judge, the ships and cargoes were or- 

 dered to be sent down to tlie Nore, and sunk in deep water. 

 Mr. Pitt seemed to be very reluctant to have these ships de- 

 stroyed. Thev were from 120 to 150 tons. Government paid 

 the value of them. Thinks the value amounted to more than 

 20,000/. hut can onlv speak from conjecture. 



Dr. John MacLeod. — 'Has served nmch in tropical climates, 

 and in the Mediterranean, but doubts much whether he has seen 

 any case of the plague. Conceives that any fever may become 

 contagious when people are crowded up together ; under bad 

 management, without ventilation and cleanliness, a fever will be- 

 come highly contagious. At the same time believes we have nmch 

 less to apprehend from contagion than is generally believed. Had 

 lately an opportunity of witnessing a very bad fever at Batavia, 

 when under circumstances extremely favourable for the operation 

 of contagion ; although the ship's crew were very crowded, hav- 

 ing been lately wrecked, and at the time huddled together in a 

 transport, vet, by using proper means, such as free ventilation 

 and doing their best to prevent the accumulation of morbid ef- 

 fluvia, no case appeared to arise from infection: those men who 

 were ill, having evidently become so by sleeping in Batavia, and 

 getting drunk there. Thinks the plague should be considered 

 imder the general description of fever. People t:re said some- 

 times to die before the usual febrile action takes place, but that 

 does not take away the character of fever which it. possesses ge- 

 nerally. Does not consider that the quarantine establishments in 

 this country have prevented the infection of the plague ; because 

 the plague has never made its appearance through shipping. 

 Quarantine could not certainly have prevented men arriving with 

 the plague on our coasts; and the expurgators, or men employed 

 in opening the goods, must have been attacked by the disease at 

 one period or other, had it been possible to import it in this way. 

 Does not know that any thing more is necessary than to intjuire 

 of every ship that arrives, whether they are all well on board; 

 and if any men are ill of fever, to treat them as you would other 

 people. Would put them in an hospital, tent or barn, and treat 

 them as rational beings, and not like mad dogs, by cutting thcni 

 off from society and assistance, and exciting fear and alarm. The 

 depressing p,as-.ions are much to be avoided. Can see no reason 

 why seamen should be used in the connnon rigorous way, when 

 they happen to arrive with fever, more than persons in Birming- 

 ham and .Manchester, where there arc typhus fevers prevailing 

 E c 2 every 



