[ 38 5 ] 
In a letter dated March 24, 1749, ^ ie obferves, 
that, in his time, the plague, whether at ConSlanti- 
nople, Smyrna, or any other part of the Levant, has 
been moftly Sporadic, Seldom epidemical, That there- 
fore the articles in our news-papers, which So often 
mention the plague raging violently, are almoft always 
falfe. 
At Conftantinople, and all over the Ealt, people, 
he Says, Slum the plague, and the infedted, as much 
as we do ; and every body, phyficians as well as others, 
who have been with the Sick, or in places infedted, 
are all obliged to perform forty days quarantine. 
The Armenians andpriefts are the only people, who 
attend them ; and they only to give them neceffaries 
at a diftance, or to perform the iaft fundtions of the 
church ; and this the prieft is obliged to do by his 
religion. 
The European plagues are much more violent 
than the eaftern; thofe being really the Thucydidian, 
which Sweep all away ; while thefe are only gentle 
corredtions to put us in mind of mortality. 
The dodtor, in another letter, finds fault with the 
method ufed in England to prevent infedtion by Ship- 
ping; “ for, to what purpofe (lays he) keep fhips 
“ in Sandgate-Creek for weeks, and even months, 
“ without landing and Serening the goods ? I hope 
ft you will allow, there is little to be feared from the 
“ bodies of men, who get in good health from Smyrna 
“ to England, which voyage is Seldom performed in 
“ lefs than 7 or 8 weeks ; which I prefume will be 
“ thought too long for infedtion to remain in the 
“ blood without producing Some effedL Wherefore, 
<c as all the danger is from the goods or cargo, greater 
C cc “ care 
