180 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



the consideration of these circumstances as the proximate cause, 

 that I think both the prevention and cure of the plague must be 

 directed. 



DCLXIX. If this disease should revisit the northern parts 

 of Europe, it is probable, that, at the time, there will be no 

 physician then alive, who, at the first appearance of the disease, 

 can be guided by his former experience, but must be instructed 

 by his study of the writers on this subject, and by analogy. It 

 is, therefore, I hope, allowable for me, upon the same grounds, 

 to offer here my opinion with respect to both the prevention and 

 cure of this disease. 



This paragraph was written before I had any notice of the 

 plague of Moscow anno 177^ '> ^> ut I think it will still apply to 

 the case of Great Britain, and of many other northern states. 



SECT. II. OF THE PREVENTION OF THE PLAGUE. 



DCLXX. With respect to the prevention : As we are firmly 

 persuaded that the disease never arises in the northern parts of 

 Europe, but in consequence of its being imported from some 

 other country ; so the first measure necessary, is the magis- 

 trate's taking care to prevent the importation ; and this may 

 generally be done by due attention to bills of health, and to 

 the proper performance of quarantines. 



DCLXXI. With respect to the latter, we are persuaded, 

 that the quarantine of persons may safely be much less than 

 forty days ; and if this were allowed, the execution of the qua- 

 rantine would be more exact and certain, as the temptation to 

 break it would be in a great measure removed. 



DCLXXII. With respect to the quarantine of goods it can- 

 not be perfect, unless the suspected goods be unpacked and duly 

 ventilated, as well as the other means employed for correcting 

 the infection they may carry ; and, if all this were properly 

 done, it is probable that the time commonly prescribed for the 

 quarantine of goods might also be shortened. 



DCLXXIII. A second measure, in the way of prevention, 

 becomes requisite, when an infection has reached and prevailed 

 in any place, to prevent that infection from spreading into other 

 places. This can be done only by preventing the inhabitants, 



