C 53 1 
hand, there were feven originally infedted in the gaol, 
out of eleven only, who were employ d by the mafter- 
carpenter in that place. Now as mod: of thefe feven 
were attack’d within a few days of one another, and 
by the fame kind of fever, it is not to be doubted 
but that the diltemper was owing to the corrupted 
air of Newgate. From all which it appears, how re- 
quifite it is, that the public fhould take fuch meafures, 
as may prevent the like accidents arifing from foul 
and crouded gaols ; or indeed from any place, wherein 
a multitude of people are long, clofely, and naftily 
kept ; and which in all probability can never be ob- 
tain’d without a conftant change of air. 
Nor are fevers of this kind to be accounted among 
fuch rare occurrences, as require no particular pro- 
vifion to be made againft them; fince fiom this 
very inflance it appears, how often difafters of this 
kind may happen, without any notice being taken of 
them. Had it not been for the accident of our going 
at that time to Newgate, hearing of the firft man’s 
illnefs, and feeing his companion with him, all thefe 
men might have been ill, and not only the public 
but moft of themfelves ignorant of the caufe. And 
as for Wilmot’s family, they might have received the 
infection, and even all perifhed by it, without any 
perfon being convinc’d of the danger arifing from 
gaols, or the contagious and malignant nature of the 
fever, excepting a few in the neighbourhood, which 
is a remote and obfeure quarter of this city. 
I fhall referve what farther remarks I have made 
on thefe cafes for a fecond paper, to be laid before 
the Society at another meeting ; and fhall only fubjoin 
a letter, which I received a few days fince from Mr. 
Stibbs, 
