544 -Df* LCrARP on the -Biftemper 
lar to the plague, but, like unto the fmall pox, it is com- 
municated by contact, by the air conveying the effluvia,; 
which alfo lodge in many fubfta-nces, and are thereby 
carried to very diftant places. Unlike other peftilential, 
putrid, or malignant fevers, it bears all the charadteriilic 
fymptoms, progrefs, crifis, and event of the fmall-pox; 
and, whether received by contagion or inoculation, has 
the fame appearances, ftages, and, determination, except 
more favourably by inoculation, and with this diftindtive 
and decifiye property, ' that a beaft having had the fick- 
nefs, naturally or artificially, never has it a fecond time. 
Thus, sir, I have endeavoured to lay before you and 
the Royal Society, thurefult of my inquiries, experi- 
ments, obfervations, and correfpondence, concerning this 
calamitous ficknefs, which, from my fituation in Hun- 
tingdpnfliire in 1756, it fell to my dot to inveftigate. 
His iMajefty’s paternal care recommended from the 
Throne in 1 7 7 o,. and ordered every ^attention to be given 
to free his fubjedts from the impending calamity, which 
had been felt fo "feyerely in former years * The, great 
Council of the Nation gave the ftrongeft affurances; of 
their readinefs to fupport and affift the Royal commands; 
and the moil falutary and effectual directions and orders, 
which originated in Great Britain were humanely and 
generoufly tranfmitted, by a conllant correfpondence in 
3 the 
