A Discourse on the Plague Part 3

[Ill.u.s.tration]

PART II.

Of the Methods to be taken against the PLAGUE.

CHAP. I.

_Of preventing Infection from other Countries._

AS it is a Satisfaction to know, that the _Plague_ is not a Native of our Country, so this is likewise an Encouragement to the utmost Diligence in finding out Means to keep our selves clear from it.

THIS Caution consists of two Parts: _The preventing its being brought into our Island_; and, if such a Calamity should happen, _the putting a Stop to its spreading among us_.

THE first of these is provided for by the established Method of obliging Ships, that come from _infected_ Places, to _perform Quarantaine_: As to which, I think it necessary, that the following Rules be observed.

NEAR to our several Ports, there should be _Lazaretto's_ built in convenient Places, on little Islands, if it can so be, for the Reception both of Men and Goods, which arrive from Places suspected of _Infection_: The keeping Men in _Quarantaine_ on board the Ship being not sufficient; the only use of which is to observe whether any die among them. For _Infection_ may be preserved so long in Clothes, in which it is once lodged, that as much, nay more of it, if Sickness continues in the Ship, may be brought on Sh.o.r.e at the end than at the beginning of the forty Days: Unless a new _Quarantaine_ be begun every time any Person dies; which might not end, but with the Destruction of the whole Ship's Crew.

IF there has been any _contagious_ Distemper in the Ship; the _sound_ Men should leave their Clothes, which should be sunk in the Sea, the Men washed and shaved, and having fresh Clothes, should stay in the _Lazaretto_ thirty or forty Days. The reason of this is, because Persons may be recovered from a Disease themselves, and yet retain _Matter_ of _Infection_ about them a considerable time: as we frequently see the _Small-Pox_ taken from those, who have several Days before pa.s.sed through the Distemper.

THE _Sick_, if there be any, should be kept in Houses remote from the _Sound_, and, some time after they are well, should also be washed and shaved, and have fresh Clothes; whatever they wore while sick being sunk or buryed: And then being removed to the Houses of the _Sound_, should continue there thirty or forty Days.

I AM particularly careful to destroy the _Clothes_ of the Sick, because they harbour the very _Quintessence_ of _Contagion_. A very ingenious Author[68], in his admirable Description of the _Plague_ at _Florence_ in the Year 1348, relates what himself saw: That two _Hogs_ finding in the Streets the _Rags_, which had been thrown out from off a poor Man dead of the Disease, after snuffling upon them, and tearing them with their Teeth, they fell into Convulsions, and dy'd in less than an Hour.

The learned _Fracastorius_ acquaints us, that in his time, there being a _Plague_ in _Verona_, no less than twenty five Persons were successively kill'd by the Infection of one _Furr_ Garment[69]. And _Forestus_ gives a like Instance of seven Children, who dy'd by playing upon Clothes brought to _Alckmaer_ in _North-Holland_, from an infected House in _Zealand_[70]. The late Mr. _Williams_, Chaplain to Sir _Robert Sutton_, when Emba.s.sador at _Constantinople_, used to relate a Story of the same Nature told him by a _Ba.s.sa_: that in an Expedition this _Ba.s.sa_ made to the Frontiers of _Poland_, one of the _Janizaries_ under his Command dy'd of the _Plague_; whose Jacket, a very rich one, being bought by another _Janizary_, it was no sooner put on, but he also was taken sick and dy'd: and the same Misfortune befel five _Janizaries_ more, who afterwards wore it. This the _Ba.s.sa_ related to Mr. _Williams_, chiefly for the sake of this farther Circ.u.mstance, that the Incidents now mentioned prevailed upon him to order the burning of the Garment: designing by this Instance to let Mr. _Williams_ see there were _Turks_, who allowed themselves in so much Freedom of Thought, as not to pay that strict Regard to the _Mahometan_ Doctrine of Fatality, as the Vulgar among them do.

IF there has been no Sickness in the Ship, I see no reason why the Men should perform _Quarantaine_. Instead of this, they may be washed, and their Clothes aired in the _Lazaretto_, as Goods, for one Week.

BUT the greatest Danger is from such _Goods_, as are apt to retain Infection, such as _Cotton_, _Hemp_ and _Flax_, _Paper_ or _Books_, _Silk_ of all sorts, _Linen_, _Wool_, _Feathers_, _Hair_, and all kinds of _Skins_. The _Lazaretto_ for these should be at a Distance from that for the Men; and they must in convenient Warehouses be unpack'd, and exposed, as much as may be, to the fresh Air for forty Days.

THIS may perhaps seem too long; but as we don't know how much time precisely is necessary to purge the Interstices of spongy Substances from _infectious Matter_ by fresh Air, the Caution cannot be too great in this Point. Certainly the time here proposed, having been long established by general Custom, ought not in the least to be retrenched; unless there could be a way found out of trying when Bodies have ceased to emit the noxious Fumes. Possibly this might be discovered by putting tender _Animals_ near to them, particularly little _Birds_: because it has been observed in Times of the _Plague_, that the Country has been forsaken by the _Birds_; and those kept in Houses have many of them died[71]. Now if it should be found, that _Birds_ let loose among Goods at the beginning of their _Quarantaine_, are obnoxious to the _Contagion_ in them, it may be known, in good measure, when such Goods are become clean, by repeating the Trial till _Birds_ let fly among them receive no hurt. But the Use of this Expedient can be known only by Experience. In the mean time, I own I am fond of the _Thought_, in compa.s.sion to poor Labourers, who must expose their Lives to danger, in the attendance upon this Work: and tho' I am well aware that there are _Plagues_ among Animals, which do not indifferently affect all kinds of them, some being confined to a particular _Species_, (like the Disease of the _Black Cattle_ here, a few Years since, which neither proved infectious to other Brutes, nor to Men;) yet it has always been observed that the true _Plague_ among Men has been destructive to all Creatures of what kind soever.

A very remarkable Story, lately communicated to me by a Person of undoubted Credit, is too much to the purpose to be here omitted. The Fact is this. In the Year 1726, an English Ship took in Goods at _Grand Cairo_, in the time of the _Plague's_ raging there, and carried them to _Alexandria_. Upon opening one of the Bales of Wool in a Field, two _Turks_ employed in the Work were immediately killed: and some _Birds_, which happened to fly over the Place, dropp'd down dead.

HOWEVER, the Use of _Quarantaines_ is not wholly frustrated by our Ignorance of the exact time required for this Purification: since the _Quarantaine_ does at least serve as a Trial whether Goods are infected or not; it being hardly possible that every one of those, who are obliged to attend upon them, can escape hurt, if they are so. And whenever that happens, the Goods must be destroyed.

I TAKE it for granted, that the _Goods_ should be _opened_, when they are put into the _Lazaretto_, otherwise their being there will avail nothing. This is the constant Practice in the _Ports_ of _Italy_. That it is so at _Leghorn_, appears by the Account lately published of the Manner, in which _Quarantaines_ are there performed: and I find, that the same Rule is observed at _Venice_, from an authentic Paper, I have before me, containing the Methods made use of in that City, where _Quarantaines_ have been enjoined ever since the Year 1484; at which time, as far as I can learn, they were first inst.i.tuted in _Europe_. In that Place all _Bales_ of _Cotton_, of _Camel_'s or of _Beaver_'s _Hair_, and the like, are _ript_ open from end to end, and _Holes_ made in them by the _Porters_ every Day, into which they thrust their naked Arms, in order that the Air may have free Access to every part of the Goods. That some such Cautions as these ought not to be omitted, is clearly proved by the Misfortune, which happened in the Island of _Bermudas_ about the Year 1695; where, as the Account was given me by the learned Dr. _Halley_, a Sack of _Cotton_ put on Sh.o.r.e by Stealth, lay above a Month without any Prejudice to the People of the House, where it was hid: but when it came to be distributed among the Inhabitants, it carried such a _Contagion_ along with it, that the Living scarce sufficed to bury the Dead. This Relation Dr. _Halley_ received from Captain _Tucker_ of _Bermudas_, Brother to Mr. _Tucker_ late Under-Secretary in our Secretary's Office.

INDEED, as it has been frequently experienced, that of all the Goods, which harbour _Infection_, _Cotton_ in particular is the most dangerous, and _Turky_ is almost a perpetual _Seminary_ of the _Plague_; I cannot but think it highly reasonable, that whatever _Cotton_ is imported from that part of the World, should at all Times be kept in _Quarantaine_: Because it may have imbibed _Infection_ at the Time of its packing up, notwithstanding no Mischief has been felt from it by the Ship's Company.

And the length of Time from its being pack'd up to its Arrival here, is no certain Security that it is cleared from the _Infection_. At least, it is found, that the Time employed by Ships in pa.s.sing between _Turky_ and _Ma.r.s.eilles_, is not long enough for Goods to lose their _Infection_: as appears not only from the late Instance, but also from an Observation made in a certain _Memorial_, drawn up by the Deputy of Trade at _Ma.r.s.eilles_[72]. _Ma.r.s.eilles_ is the only Port in _France_ allowed to receive Goods from the _Levant_, on Account of its singular Convenience for _Quarantaines_, by Reason of several small _Islands_ situate about it. The _Ports_ of _France_ in the _Western Ocean_ having had a Desire to be allowed the same Liberty, their Deputies presented, in the Year 1701, a _Memorial_ to the _Royal Council of Trade_, containing several Reasons for their Pretensions. To this the _Deputy_ at _Ma.r.s.eilles_ makes Reply in the _Memorial_ I am speaking of, in which this Advantage of _Ma.r.s.eilles_ for _Quarantaines_ above the other Ports, is much insisted upon: and, to evince the Importance thereof, it is declared in express Words, that many Times Persons have been found in that Place to die of the _Plague_ in their Attendance upon Goods under _Quarantaine_. Now if it be certain, that Goods have retained Infection during their Pa.s.sage from _Turkey_ to _Ma.r.s.eilles_; it is too hardy a Presumption to be admitted in an Affair so important as this, that they must necessarily lose all Contagion in the Time of their coming to us, because the Voyage is something longer. But besides this, there are some few Instances of Goods, that have retained their Infection many Years.

In particular, _Alex. Benedictus_ gives a very distinct Relation of a Feather Bed, that was laid by seven Years on Suspicion of its being infected, which produced mischievous Effects at the End of that great Length of Time[73]. And Sir _Theodore Mayerne_ relates, that some Clothes fouled with Blood and Matter from _Plague_ Sores being lodged between _Matting_ and the Wall of a House in Paris, gave the _Plague_ several Years after to a Workman, who took them out, which presently spread through the City[74].

WHAT makes _Cotton_ so eminently dangerous, is its great Apt.i.tude to imbibe and retain any Sort of _Effluvia_ near it; of which I have formerly made a particular Experiment, by causing some _Cotton_ to be placed for one Day near a Piece of _putrefying Flesh_ from an amputated Limb, in a Bell-Gla.s.s, but without touching it: for the _Cotton_ imbibed so strong a Taint, that being put up in a close Box, it retained its offensive Scent above ten Months, and would, I believe, have kept it for Years. If, instead of the Fumes of _putrefied Flesh_ from a sound Body, this _Cotton_ had been thus impregnated with the Fumes of corrupted Matter from one sick of the _Plague_; I make no doubt but it would have communicated Infection. And the Experiment would have succeeded alike in both Cases, if instead of _Cotton_, _Silk_, _Wool_, or _Hair_ had been inclosed in the Vessel: Animal Substances being the most apt to attract the volatile Particles, which come from Bodies of the same Nature with themselves.

AS all reasonable Provisions should be made both for the _Sound_ and _Sick_, who perform _Quarantaine_; so the strict keeping of it ought to be inforced by the severest _Penalties_. And if a Ship comes from any Place, where the _Plague_ raged, at the Time of the Ship's Departure from it, with more than usual Violence; it will be the securest Method to _sink_ all the _Goods_, and even the _Ship_ sometimes: especially if any on Board have died of the Disease.

NOR ought this farther Caution to be omitted, that when the _Contagion_ has ceased in any Place by the Approach of Winter, it will not be safe to open a free Trade with _it_ too soon: because there are Instances of the _Distemper_'s being stopt by the Winter Cold, and yet the Seeds of it not destroyed, but only kept unactive, 'till the Warmth of the following Spring has given them new Life and Force. Thus in the great _Plague_ at _Genoa_ about four-score Years ago, which continued Part of two Years; the first Summer about _ten Thousand_ died; the Winter following hardly any; but the Summer after no less than _sixty Thousand_. Likewise the last _Plague_ at _London_ appeared the latter End of the Year 1664, and was stopt during the Winter by a hard Frost of near three Month's Continuance; so that there remained no farther Appearance of it 'till the ensuing Spring[75]. Now if Goods brought from such a Place should retain any of the latent _Contagion_, there will be Danger of their producing the same Mischief in the Place, to which they are brought, as they would have caused in that, from whence they came.

BUT above all, it is necessary, that the _Clandestine Importing_ of Goods be punished with the utmost Rigour; from which wicked Practice I should always apprehend more Danger of bringing the _Disease_ than by any other Way whatsoever.

THESE are, I think, the most material Points, to which Regard is to be had in defending ourselves again _Contagion_ from other Countries. The particular Manner of putting these Directions in Execution, as the _Visiting_ of _Ships_, _Regulation_ of _Lazaretto's_, &c. I leave to proper Officers, who ought sometimes to be a.s.sisted herein by able Physicians.

CHAP. II.

_Of Stopping the Progress of the_ Plague, _if it should enter our Country._

THE next Consideration is, what to do in Case, through a Miscarriage in the publick Care, by the Neglect of Officers, or otherwise, such a Calamity should be suffered to befal us.

THERE is no _Evil_ in the World, in which the great Rule of _Resisting the Beginning_, more properly takes Place, than in the present Case; and yet it has unfortunately happened, that the common Steps formerly taken have had a direct Tendency to hinder the putting _this Maxim_ in Practice.

AS the _Plague_ always breaks out in some particular Place, it is certain, that the Directions of the _Civil Magistrate_ ought to be such, as to make it as much for the Interest of infected Families to discover their Misfortune, as it is, when a House is on _Fire_, to call in the a.s.sistance of the Neighbourhood: Whereas, on the contrary, the Methods taken by the Publick, on such Occasions, have always had the Appearance of a severe _Discipline_, and even _Punishment_, rather than of a _Compa.s.sionate Care_; which must naturally make the _Infected_ conceal the Disease as long as was possible.

THE main Import of the _Orders_ issued out at these Times was[76]; As soon as it was found, that any House was infected, to keep it shut up, with a _large red Cross_, and these Words, _Lord, have Mercy upon us_, painted on the Door; Watchmen attending Day and Night to prevent any one's going in or out, except such _Physicians_, _Surgeons_, _Apothecaries_, _Nurses_, _Searchers_, &c. as were allowed by Authority: And this to continue at least a Month after all the Family was _dead_ or _recovered_.

IT is not easy to conceive a more dismal Scene of Misery, than this: Families lock'd up from all their Acquaintance, though seized with a Distemper which the most of any in the World requires Comfort and a.s.sistance; abandoned it may be to the Treatment of an inhumane Nurse (for such are often found at these times about the Sick;) and Strangers to every thing but the melancholy Sight of the Progress, Death makes among themselves: with small Hopes of Life left to the Survivers, and those mixed with Anxiety and Doubt, whether it be not better to die, than to prolong a miserable Being, after the Loss of their best Friends and nearest Relations.

IF _Fear_, _Despair_, and all _Dejection of Spirits_, dispose the Body to receive _Contagion_, and give it a great Power, where it is received, as all Physicians agree they do; I don't see how a Disease can be more inforced than by such a Treatment.

NOTHING can justify such _Cruelty_, but the Plea, that it is for the Good of the whole _Community_, and prevents the spreading of _Infection_. But this upon due Consideration will be found quite otherwise: For while _Contagion_ is kept nursed up in a House, and continually encreased by the daily Conquests it makes, it is impossible but the _Air_ should become tainted in so eminent a degree, as to spread the _Infection_ into the Neighbourhood upon the first Outlet. The shutting up Houses in this Manner is only keeping so many _Seminaries_ of _Contagion_, sooner or later to be dispersed abroad: For the waiting a Month, or longer, from the Death of the last Patient, will avail no more, than keeping a _Bale_ of infected _Goods_ unpack'd; the Poyson will fly out, whenever the _Pandora's Box_ is opened.

AS these Measures were owing to the Ignorance of the true Nature of _Contagion_, so they did, I firmly believe, contribute very much to the long Continuance of the _Plague_, every time they have been practised in this City: And no doubt, they have had as ill Effects in other Countries.

IT is therefore no wonder, that grievous Complaints were often made against this unreasonable Usage; and that the Citizens were all along under the greatest apprehensions of being thus _Shut up_. This occasioned their concealing the Disease as long as they could, which contributed very much to the inforcing and spreading of it: and when they were confined, it often happened that they broke out of their _Imprisonment_, either by getting out at Windows, _&c._ or by bribing the Watchmen at their Doors; and sometimes even by murdering them. Hence in the Nights, people were often met running about the Streets, with hideous _Shrieks_ of _Horror_ and _Despair_, quite _Distracted_, either from the violence of the Fever, or from the Terrors of Mind, into which they were thrown by the daily Deaths they saw of their nearest Relations.

IN these miserable Circ.u.mstances, many ran away, and when they had escaped, either went to their Friends in the Country, or built Hutts or Tents for themselves in the open Fields, or got on board Ships lying in the River. A few also were saved by keeping their Houses close from all communication with their Neighbours[77].

AND it must be observed, that whenever popular Clamours prevailed so far, as to procure some Release for the _Sick_, this was remarkably followed with an Abatement of the Disease. The _Plague_ in the Year 1636 began with great Violence; but leave being given by the King's Authority for People to quit their Houses, it was observed, That _not one in twenty of the well Persons removed fell sick, nor one in ten of the Sick died_[78]. Which single Instance alone, had there been no other, should have been of Weight ever after to have determined the Magistracy against too strict Confinements. But besides this, a preceding _Plague_, _viz._ in the Year 1625, affords us another Instance of a very remarkable Decrease upon the discontinuing to _shut up_ Houses. It was indeed so late in the Year, before this was done, that the near Approach of Winter was doubtless one Reason for the Diminution of the Disease, which followed: Yet this was so very great, that it is at least past dispute, that the Liberty then permitted was no Impediment to it. For this _opening_ of the Houses was allowed of in the beginning of _September_: and whereas the last Week in _August_, there died no less than four thousand two hundred and eighteen, the very next Week the _Burials_ were diminished to three thousand three hundred and forty four; and in no longer time than to the fourth Week after, to eight hundred and fifty two[79].

SINCE therefore the Management in former Times neither answers the Purpose of _discovering the Beginning_ of the _Infection_, nor of putting a stop to it when _discovered_, other Measures are certainly to be taken; which, I think, should be of this Nature.

THERE ought, in the first Place, _a Council of Health_ to be established, consisting of some of the princ.i.p.al Officers of State, both Ecclesiastical and Civil, some of the chief Magistrates of the City, two or three Physicians, _&c._ And this _Council_ should be intrusted with such Powers, as might enable them to see all their Orders executed with impartial Justice, and that no unnecessary Hardships, under any Pretence whatever, be put upon any by the Officers they employ.

INSTEAD of _ignorant old Women_, who are generally appointed _Searchers_ in Parishes to inquire what Diseases People die of, that _Office_ should be committed to _understanding and diligent Men_: whose Business it should be, as soon as they find any have dy'd after an uncommon Manner, particularly with _livid Spots_, _Bubo's_, or _Carbuncles_, to give Notice thereof to the _Council of Health_; who should immediately send skilful Physicians to examine the suspected Bodies, and to visit the Houses in the Neighbourhood, especially of the _poorer_ Sort, among whom this Evil generally begins. And if upon their Report it appears, that a _Pestilential Distemper_ is broken out, they should without Delay order all the Families, in which the Sickness is, to be _removed_; the _Sick_ to different Places from the _Sound_: but the Houses for both should be three or four Miles out of Town; and the _Sound_ People should be _stript of all their Clothes_, and _washed_ and _shaved_, before they go into their new Lodgings. These Removals ought to be made in the Night, when the Streets are clear of People: which will prevent all Danger of spreading the Infection. And besides, all possible Care should be taken to provide such Means of Conveyance for the _Sick_, that they may receive no Injury.

AS this Management is necessary with Respect to the _Poor_ and _meaner_ Sort of People; so the _Rich_, who have Conveniences, may, instead of being carried to _Lazaretto's_, be obliged to go to their Country-Houses: provided that Care be always taken to keep the _Sound_ separated from the _Infected_. And at the same Time all the Inhabitants who are yet well, should be permitted, nay encouraged to leave the Town, which, the thinner it is, will be the more healthy.

NO manner of _Compa.s.sion_ and _Care_ should be wanting to the _Diseased_; to whom, when lodged in _clean_ and _airy_ Habitations, there would, with due Cautions, be no great Danger in giving Attendance.

All Expences should be paid by the Publick, and no Charges ought to be thought great, which are counterbalanced with the saving a Nation from the greatest of Calamities. Nor does it seem to me at all unreasonable, that a _Reward_ should be given to the Person, that makes the first Discovery of _Infection_ in any Place: since it is undeniable, that the making known the _Evil_ to those, who are provided with proper Methods against it, is the first and main Step towards the overcoming it.