EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 325 
The imagination of one of our poets has drawn the pefti- 
lence from the filth of Kahira, and the mud of the Nile. But, 
not to mention that there is lefs difpofition to fermentation and 
putrefadion in the atmofphere of Egypt, than in almoft any 
other that I have heard defcribed, Kahira is very far from 
being impure. No offenfive fubftance remains in the ftreets 
twenty-four hours ; and even what is left to annoy paffengers 
in London and Paris for months, there carried away and 
preferved for burning. 
The mud of the Nile becomes dry in a very fhort fpace of 
time after the water has left it, except in the canal (Chalige) 
which is indeed not very odoriferous ; but fo far from emitting 
peftilential exhalations, that the Franks who efpecially dwell 
clofe to it, are never infected with the plague, and are in 
general among the moft healthy of the inhabitants of that 
metropolis. 
Small-pox^ 
The fmall-pox is a difeafe much dreaded by the people of 
Soudan, whether Moors or Negroes, and little lefs by the Be- 
douins of Egypt. The Chriftians of Kahira are many of them 
in the habit of inoculating. A few of the Mohammedans ufe 
the fame pradice. It is however almoft impoffible to perfuade 
them to adopt oiu: mode of treatment. 
Inde» 
..J 
