808 PLAGUES OF LONDON, 



unfortunately for the greater part of mankind, 

 their ignorance in regard to the simplest laws of 

 life and health, has ever been a most fruitful 

 source of disease, suffering, and premature death, 

 even in the most favourable climates. 



For example, there is no part of the world 

 more favourable to health and longevity than 

 England. But owing to the former ignorance, 

 indolence, poverty, and wretched state of the in- 

 habitants, their neglect of agriculture, the filthy 

 condition of the streets and houses in large towns, 

 the country was visited by famine and pestilence 

 forty-four times from the year 1069 to 1392, or 

 during the space of 323 years. And Mr. Farr 

 informs us, that London was desolated by the 

 plague twenty-four times from 1407 till 1665, 

 that during the last one, 68,596 individuals were 



man, or having one on the sick list. This extraordinary result 

 was achieved by keeping the vessel dry and clean, which was 

 accomplished by frequent washing and scrubbing of the decks, 

 which were thoroughly dried by means of Brodie stoves, kept 

 burning in the cock pit and between the lower decks. The bed- 

 ding of the men was also kept dry, and they were supplied with 

 two extra pairs of flannel shirts and drawers, which were shifted 

 every Sunday. Nor did he ever suffer the watch to turn into 

 their berths with wet clothes on. In addition to all this, the men 

 were not allowed to labour in the hot sun, and had their allow- 

 ance of cocoa before leaving the ship in the morning, with a 

 supply of fresh meat and vegetables, whenever they could be 

 obtained. But they were never permitted to go on shore in the 

 hot sun, nor where spirits were to be obtained. It is impossible 

 to estimate too highly the conduct of this enlightened officer, 

 who richly deserves a knighthood for the valuable lesson he has 

 taught mankind. 



