30 On Contagion in the Plague. 



time, although in a letter in 1722 allusion is made to the former 

 quarantine in 1/09, When sheds were erected for airing goods at 

 Hoo Fort. In the year 1721, permission was granted to air goods 

 on the decks of the importing ships, or in hired craft ; and this 

 practice seems to have continued until the year 1751, when the 

 first floating lazaretto was established at Standgate Creek. 



There is not anv record of a case of absolute plague in any la- 

 zaretto at this; port having occurred, from the earliest period tliat 

 can be traced to the present time ; but the following cases of 

 strong suspicion, as to the cargoes of the ships being contagious, 

 appear to have occurred : — 



In 1721, the ships "Turkey Merchant," and " Bristol," with 

 their cargoes, were taken from Standgate Creek out to sea, and 

 burnt, in pursuance of an order in cmmcil,datedthe2Sth Julyl72l. 



In 179"/^, a chest of goods burnt, imported in the " St. George," 

 from Zante. 



In ISOO, the ships "Aurora," "Mentor," and "Lark," from 

 Mogadore, were destroyed, with their cargoes, pursuant to an 

 order in council of the 7tb January ISOO (grounded upon a re- 

 presentation of the Committee, consisting of His Mfijesty's physi- 

 cian and others), great suspicion being entertained of the same 

 being infected witii the plague. The master of the " Lark" died 

 at Mogadore, where the disease was raging at the time the ves- 

 sels sailed ; and it was reported that nearly all the persons who 

 assisted in loading the ships, also died of the plague. 



In August 1814, a large quantity of hare skins, imported in the 

 "Lucy," from Smyrna, were burnt by order of Dr. Pym, upon 

 a report made to the Lords of the Privy Council, from the Con- 

 sul at Smyrna, that the persons who were employed in removing 

 and packing the said skins, had died of the plague. 



Portsmouth. — It cannot be ascertained, that any case of ab- 

 solute plague has ever occurred at this port, on board any laza- 

 retto. No regular lazaretto was appointed until the year 1S05, 

 previous to which time it was the usage to hire vessels for the 

 airing of goods. 



Falmouth. — The officers at this port are not aware that any 

 case of what is usually called plague, has occurred ; but have 

 stated, that a disease, highly contagious, has frequently occurred 

 there, and been arrested by precautionary means. 



MiLFoRD. — No case of absolute plague has occurred at this 

 port. The first lazaretto established here, was in the year 1806; 

 previous to which it was the practice to hire vessels to air goods 

 on board, subject to quarantine. 



Bristol. — No instance is on record of any case of absolute 

 plague having occurred at this port, from 1619 to the present 

 lime. Lazarettos were first established, pursuant to the act of 



the 



