ERUPTIVE FEVERS. 183 



Persons who have tried cold bathing, and commonly feel in- 

 vigorating effects from it, if they are anywise secure against hav- 

 ing already received infection, may possibly be enabled to resist 

 it by the use of the cold bath. 



It is probable, that some medicines also may be useful in 

 enabling men to resist infection : but amongst these I can hard- 

 ly admit the numerous alexipharmics formerly proposed ; or, at 

 least very few of them, and those only of tonic power. Amongst 

 these last we reckon the Peruvian bark ; and it is perhaps the 

 most effectual. If any thing is to be expected from antiseptics, 

 I think camphire, whether internally or externally employed, is 

 one of the most promising. 



Every person is to be indulged in the use of any means 

 of preservation of which he has conceived a good opinion, 

 whether it be a charm or a medicine, if the latter be not direct- 

 ly hurtful. 



Whether issues be useful in preserving from, or in moderat- 

 ing the effects of contagion, I cannot determine from the obser- 

 vations I have yet read. 



DCLXXXIV. As neither the atmosphere in general, nor 

 any considerable portion of it, is tainted or impregnated with 

 the matter of contagions ; so the lighting of fires over a great 

 part of the infected city, or other general fumigations in the 

 open air, are of no use for preventing the disease, and may 

 perhaps be hurtful. 



DCLXXXV. It would probably contribute much to check 

 the progress of infection, if the poor were enjoined to make a 

 frequent change of clothing, and were suitably provided for 

 that purpose ; and if they were, at the same time, induced to 

 make a frequent ventilation of their houses and furniture. 



SECT. III. OF THE CURE OF THE PLAGUE. 



DCLXXXVI. In the cure of the plague, the indications 

 are the same as those of fever in general (CXXVL); but here 

 they are not all equally necessary and important. 



DCLXXXVI I. The measures for moderating the violence 

 of reaction, which operate by diminishing the action of the heart 

 and arteries (CXXVIIL), have seldom any place here, except- 



