VOL. XXVIII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 2/ 



into our bodies, we receive whatever it carries along with it. It is generally 

 observed, that the plague commonly ensues after great battles. The reasons 

 alleged for it are, that the exhalations, proceeding from the vast number of 

 dead bodies, corrupt the air, by which mankind are afterwards infected. How 

 much more then must they be infected, when there is an actual contagion 

 among them. The infection of the air must be still greater in proportion to 

 the actual increase of the pestilence, when so many thousands die, and some 

 continue to lie putrifying for many days above ground, and others are buried 

 without a coffin, and but a very little way under ground. Besides the heat of 

 the weather (for these casualities generally happen in summer) causes the bodies 

 to corrupt sooner. Besides there is a great difference between those that die in 

 battle, and those that die of the plague ; the former being sound bodies ; but 

 the latter infectious, and a mere mass of corruption before they died, and must 

 consequently infect the air more than the former. 



What I have said concerning an infected air, is confirmed by the testimony 

 of all who have written on the plague by experience; and they have likewise 

 observed the circumstances and signs to be the same as they appeared to us. 

 What they assert, I found to be true by experience : otherwise I know not to 

 what cause to impute my having felt, during this contagion, the very same 

 pains as they did, several times, one after another, insomuch that sometimes I 

 was not able to stir. Besides, when I have come from places where people lay 

 as yet unburied, or from infected houses, I have frequently found a palpitation 

 at my heart, a pain in my head, and anxiety, with a retching to vomit, but 

 without bringing any thing up. 



In the beginning of October I fell ill of a violent catarrh, which obliged me 

 to keep my bed. On the third day it turned to a salivation, which continued 

 for 3 hours so violent, that my gums and mouth swelled as if I had taken mer- 

 cury ; but the next day I recovered and was well again. From whence I con- 

 clude, that I received it from the poison in the air. I had once like to have 

 died of the venom of a viper; for, in April 1703, I was bitten by one in the 

 fore-finger ; of which in a moment after I felt disordered, and at last fell into 

 convulsions. Having immediately after the bite sucked my finger, my face 

 swelled, and my mouth almost closed up : being in this condition, few expected 

 my life ; yet 3 hours after, the convulsions began to cease, and I gradually re- 

 covered. Though many of our inhabitants kept continually at home, used all 

 manner of preservatives, both inward and outward, suffered none of the in- 

 fected to approach either them or their servants, yet they caught the infection. 

 So that I cannot in the least doubt, but that the air is infected; and that by 



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