( 6o ) 
of the Leprofy only, it mud be the real Caufe why 
that Difeafe feemed to be (o rife formerly ; for two 
Diftempers palling under one Name mult necelferily 
make it more taken notice of and much more fre- 
quent ; not but that much the greater Number 
of thofe who were formerly faid to be Leprous were 
really Venereal, feems to be very evident; for fince 
that Difeafe has been feparated from the Leprofy, it 
has drawn off fuch valt Numbers, that the Leprofy is 
become as it were a perfect Stranger to us. Thofe 
that are acquainted with our Englifh Hiftory well 
know the great Provifion that was anciently made 
throughout all England for Leprous Perlons, infomuch 
that there was fcarce a confiderable Town among us 
but had a Lazar-Houfe for fuch difeafed. In a Re- 
gifter which belonged to one of thefe Houfes, I find 
there were in Hen* the VIHth’s time fix of them near 
London , (viz,) at Knight's Bridge , Hammer fmith, High - 
gate , Kingfland , the Lock, and at Mile*end, but about 
40 Years before I find but four mentioned; and in 
1451 in the Will of Ralph Holland, Merchant Taylor, 
regiftred in the Prerogative Office, mention is made 
but of three, which, with his Legacies to them, are 
as follow. Item lego Leprofis de Lokes, extra Bar ram 
Sti Georgii 10 s. Item Lego Leprofis de Hackenay ( which 
is that at King fl and) ios . Item lego Leprofis Sti E - 
gidii extra Barram de Holborn 40/. from which its 
worth while to note, that the Lock beyond St. Geor- 
ges Church, and that at Kingfland, are at this time 
applyed to no other ufe than for the entertainment 
and Cure of fuch as have the Venereal Malady. Some 
of our learned Antiquaries have been much concer- 
ned to know the Caufe why the Leprofy fhou’d be 
fo common in thofe early times, and fo little known 
among us now: But I believe the Reafon will be im- 
polTible 
