The Plague at Marseilles Consider'd Part 2

----I lately received an Account of two ingenious Travellers, who a.s.sured me the Contagion had reached their Quarters on the Borders of _Poland_, having pa.s.sed quite through _Germany_, and that the Method used in our Relation preserved and cured their Cattle. They told me the Contagion was observed to make its Progress Dayly, spreading near two _German_ Miles in twenty four Hours. This they say was certainly observed by many curious Persons, that it continually, without intermission, made progressive Voyages, and suffered no neighbouring Parish to escape; so that it did not at the same time infect Places at great distances. They added, that Cattle secured at Rack and Manger, were equally infected with those in the Field.

It were worth the considering, whether this Infection is not carried on by some volatile Insect, that is able to make only such short flights as may amount to such Computations: For the account of the Ancients concerning the grand _pestilential Contagions_, is very little satisfactory to this Age, who derive it from a blind Putrefaction, from the incantations of ill Men, or from the conjunction of inauspicious Planets.

The following Account we have from Dr. _Bernard Ramizzini_, concerning the Contagion among the Black Cattle about _Padua_, Translated from _Acta Erudit_.

In the Year 1712 a dreadful and violent Contagion seiz'd the _Black Cattle_, which, like an increasing Fire, could neither be extinguish'd nor stopt by any Human means.

This First was observ'd in _Agro Vincentino_, and Discover'd it self more openly in the Country, spreading every way, even to the very Suburbs of _Padua_, with a cruel Destruction of the Cows and Oxen. It was also in _Germany_, in many Places; and is not yet wholly conquer'd.

Of this Distemper, Dr. _Ramazzini_ made a particular Dissertation; in which he inquir'd into the Causes of the Distemper, and what Remedies might be us'd, to put a stop to its violent Course.

It is evident, that this Distemper in Cows and Oxen was a true Fever, from the coldness of the Cattle at first, which was soon succeeded by a violent burning, with a quick Pulse. That this Fever was pestilential, its concomitant Symptoms plainly show, as difficulty of breathing, a Drowziness at the beginning; a continued Flux of a nauseous Matter from the Nose and Mouth, fetid Dung, sometimes with Blood, Pustules breaking out over the whole Body on the fifth or sixth Day, like the _Small-Pox_; they generally dyed about the fifth or seventh Day.

The Author tells us, that out of a great Drove, such as the Merchants bring yearly into _Italy_ out of _Dalmatia_ and the bordering Countries, one Beast happen'd to straggle from the rest, and be left behind; which a Cowherd brought to a Farm belonging to the Count _Borromeo_: This Beast infected all the Cows and Oxen of the Place where he was taken in, with the same Distemper he labour'd under; the Beast it self dying in a few Days, as did all the rest, except one only, who had a Rowel put into his Neck.

'Tis no strange thing therefore, if from the Effluvia, proceeding from the sick and dead Cattle, and from the Cow-Houses and Pastures where they were fed, and perhaps from the Cloaths of the Cowherds themselves, this Infection falling upon a proper Subject, should diffuse it self so largely. When therefore this subtile _venomous Exhalation_ happens to meet with any of the Cow-kind, joining it self with the serous Juices and Animal Spirits, 'tis no wonder it should disorder the natural Consistence of the Blood, and corrupt the Ferments of the Viscera; whence it follows, that the natural Functions of the Viscera are vitiated, and the requisite Secretions stopt. For Dr. _Ramazzini_ not only supposes, but a.s.serts, that a Poison of this kind, rather fixes and coagulates, than dissolves the Blood: For beside the forementioned Symptoms accompanying the Disease, the Eye it self is a Witness; since the dead Carcases being open'd while they are yet hot, little or no Blood runs out; those Animals having naturally a thick Blood, especially when the fever has continued so many Days. And he adds, that whether this Plague came first from the Foreign Beast, or any other way, it only had its Effect upon some Animal, in which there was the morbid Seminary or Ground prepared for it.

In the dead Bodies of all the Cattle, it was particularly observ'd, that in the Omasus, or Paunch, there was found a hard compact Body, firmly adhering to the Coats of the Ventricle, of a large Bulk, and an intolerable Smell: In other Parts, as in the Brain, Lungs, _&c._ were several Hydatides, and large Bladders fill'd only with Wind, which being open'd, gave a disagreeable Stink: there were also Ulcers at the Root of the Tongue; and Bladders fill'd with a Serum on the sides of it. This hard and compact Body, like Chalk, in the Omasus, the Author takes to be the full Product of the contagious Miasma. He adds a Prognostick, believing that from so many Attempts and Experiments, and the Method observ'd in the Cure of this Venom, at last a true and specifick Remedy will be found out to extirpate the poisonous Malignity wholly: He also expects some mitigation of it, from the approaching Winter and North Winds. He does not think this Contagion can affect Human Bodies, since even other Species of ruminating Animals, symbolizing with the Cow-kind, are yet untouch'd by it; nor was the Infection taken by the Air, after the dead Bodies had been carefully Buryed.

As for the Cure of it: From the Chirurgical part, he commends _Bleeding_, burning on both sides the Neck with a broad red-hot Iron, making Holes in the Ears with a round Iron, and putting the Root h.e.l.lebore in the Hole, a _Rowel_ or _Seton_ under the _Chin_, in the _Dew-laps_; he also orders the _Tongue_ and _Palate_ to be often wash'd and rub'd with _Vinegar_ and _Salt_.

He recommends the Use of _Alexipharmicks_, and specifick Cordials; and three Ounces of Jesuits Bark, infus'd in ten or twelve Pints of Cordial Water or small Wine, to be given in four or five Doses; which is to be done in the beginning of the Fever, when the Beast begins to be Sick. Or else two Drams of _Sperma-Caeti_ dissolv'd in warm Wine. Again he prescribes _Antimonium Diaph.o.r.etic.u.m_. Against Worms breeding, an Infusion of Quicksilver, or _Petroleum_ and Milk is to be given. And lastly, as to the Food, he directs Drinks made with Barley or Wheat Flower or Bread, like a _Ptisane_, fresh sweet Hay made in _May_ and macerated in fair Water. In the mean time the Cattle must be kept in a warm Place, and Cloath'd, daily shaking Fumigations in the Cow-Houses with Juniper Berries, Galbanum, and the like. As to Prevention, he enjoyns Care in cleaning the Stalls, and sc.r.a.ping the Crust off from the Wall; Care also is to be taken of their Food, the Hay and Straw not spoil'd by Rain in the Making; and he judges their Food ought to be but sparing: He likewise recommends currying, with a Comb and Brush; with Setons under their Chin, made with a hot Iron run through the Part, and kept open with a Rope put through it.

After which we have the Receipt: Or the Ingredients of a Medicine for the speedy Cure of that mortal Distemper amongst Cows; sent over from _Holland_, where a like Distemper raged among the Black Cattel.

_Recipe Veronicae, Pulmonariae, Hyssopi, Scordii, ana M._ iv. _Rad.

Aristolohiae rotundae, Gentianae, Angelicae, Petasitidis, Tormentillae, Carlinae, ana unc._ 12. _Bac. Lauri & Juniperi, ana unc._ 12. _Misc. fiat Pulvis._

Bleed the Cow, and give her three or 4 Mornings successively, an Ounce of this Powder, with a Horn, in warm Beer.

If the Cow continues Distemper'd, after the Omission 2 or 3 Days, repeat the Medicine for 3 or 4 Days again.

I cannot help taking Notice likewise of the raging Distemper which was among the Cows about _London_, _Anno_ 1714. It was so Violent and Infectious, that if _one_ had it, all others that came within Scent of her, or even eat where she Grazed, were surely infected; it seized their Heads, and was attended with running at the Nose, and a very nauseous Breath, which killed them in three or four Days. The Herdsmen would not allow it to be the _Murrain_, nor could give any Account from whence it did proceed, or could find out any Remedy against it; they only tell us the unusual dry Summer, and the continued _East_-Winds, were the occasion of it. This Distemper had been for two or three Years before it came to us, in _Lombardy_, _Holland_, and _Hambrough_, to the Loss almost of all their Cattle. The States of _Holland_ caused a Medicine to be published for the Good of those who had their Cattle thus Distemper'd; but having been try'd here, 'twould not Cure one in seven, but rather increased the Infection by keeping the distemper'd Cattle longer alive (by some Days) than they would have been without it. 'Tis remarkable, that no Oxen had this Distemper, but only _Milch-Cows_, which were more tender than the _Males_. The Herdsmen to keep their Cattle from the Infection, let them Blood in the Tail, and rubb'd their Noses and Chaps with _Tar_; and when any happened to die of it, they were burnt, and buried deep under Ground.

It began at _Islington_, spreading it self over many Places in _Middles.e.x_ and in _Ess.e.x_, but did not reach so far _Westward_ from _London_ as twenty Miles.

The most general Opinion concerning the Cause of this Distemper, was, that the Cattle were first infected by drinking some unwholesome standing Water, where 'tis probable some Poisonous Insects were lodged and bred; the Summer having been extreamly dry, attended almost constantly with _Easterly_ Winds, the Gra.s.s almost burnt up, and the Herbs of the Gardens destroyed by Insects; but such as they were, (unfit for Table Use) were given to the Cattle. There was likewise so great want of Water, that many were forced to drive their Cows five or six Miles to it.

The Electuary publish'd upon this Occasion by the States of _Holland_, was compos'd of most, if not all the Drugs used in the most serviceable Medicines that were made use of against the Plague among Men; most of which Ingredients we know to be mortal to Insects, as strong scented Roots and Herbs; but above all, Aromatick Gums and Saps of Plants; as Rhue, Garlick, Pitch, Tar, Frankincense and Olibanum. These Ingredients are much used in _France_ and _Italy_ to prevent or destroy Infection, by burning them and smoaking such Bodies, Letters, or any other things as are brought from infected Places, after they have made _Quarantain_, and are not suffered to come on Sh.o.r.e 'till they have undergone this Operation.

It is not against Experience, that Insects can live and encrease in Animal Bodies: How often do we find Men, Women and Children troubled with Worms?

What Varieties of those Insects are often voided by them? And how should that be, if they were not either suck'd into the Stomach with the Breath, or taken into it with some unwholesome Food? For they cannot breed in such Bodies from nothing, without either their Eggs or themselves are brought thither by some Accident: For if they were the natural Produce of Animal Bodies, they would then be alike common to all, which we know they are not.

I have been informed, that in the Year 1714, when this Mortality among the Cows was at its height, that towards the End of the Summer, some Farmers brought in fresh Cattel, and turning them into the same Fields, where many Cows had died before, they took the Infection and died likewise; but the following Spring those Fields were void of Infection, and the _Cows_ that were put into them did very well, but what were then put into the _Cow-Houses_, where the sick _Cows_ had been the Year before, were seiz'd with the Distemper, and died; which seems to inform us, that it was the Effect of _Insects_, which thro' the Warmth of those Stalls were preserv'd from the Severity of the Winter's Frost; but such as were left in the open Fields were destroy'd by the Cold. I have heard that a Woman about _Camberwell_ cured Six in Seven of her _Cows_, by giving them once a Week an Infusion of _Rhue_ and _Ale-wort_.

But it may be ask'd, why these infectious Distempers, subject to Men, Cattle and Plants, are not universal? And why the Plague should not be as well in _India_, _China_, the South Parts of _Africa_ and _America_, as in these Parts of the World? (For I do not find it has ever been in those Places.) This Query gives me a farther Opportunity to suggest, that Insects are the Cause of it, and that they are brought with the Easterly Winds. In the first place, so far as I can learn, there is not naturally in _America_ any one Kind of Creature or Insect that is found in any other Part of the World, and the Plants likewise are all different from those of other Countries; as it is the same in _India_, _China_, &c. whose Products are quite different from what we find elsewhere. Supposing then that these pestiferous Insects are only the Produce of _Tartary_, let us consider to what Parts of the World they may be carry'd from thence with the Easterly Winds; and whether _India_, _China_, the South of _Africa_ and _America_, are not beyond their Reach, or can reasonably be affected by them.

Whoever considers the Disposition of the Land and Water in the Globe, may thus account for the Pa.s.sage of these Insects, with an Easterly Wind from _Tartary_, to all the Parts of _Europe_, _Asia-Minor_, _Palestine_, _Barbary_, and other South Coasts of the _Mediterranean Sea_, whither, 'tis highly probable, they may come, without meeting any thing in their Way to obstruct their Course.

The best Maps do not lay down any Mountains of Note between _Tartary_ and the places which have been subject to the Plague: The _Alps_ run parallel with the Winds coming from _Tartary_, and therefore does not any Way hinder their Pa.s.sage: The Mountains of _Dalmatia_ are not high enough to prevent the Pa.s.sage; or if they were, the _Caspian Sea_ is sufficiently large to let them pa.s.s to the South Parts of _Europe_, the _Mediterranean Sea_, and the North Coasts of _Africa_, even to their most Western Bounds.

Now it may be expected, perhaps, by some, that these Winds should yet continue their Progress as far as _America_; but as yet, so far as I can learn, these Land-Winds, when they have blown with the greatest Force, and have been of the longest Continuance, have not reach'd farther than about three hundred Leagues beyond the Western Coasts of _Europe_, which is a Trifle in Comparison of the vast Ocean between us and _America_: Besides, it is my Opinion, that the Winds which blow over so vast a Tract of Land, as these _Tartarian_ Winds must do, that I suppose convey and support the pestiferous Insects, are of so different a Nature from the Winds coming from the Ocean, that 'tis likely those Creatures which would subsist in the one, would be destroy'd by the other: So that if I am right in this Conjecture, _America_ cannot be subject to the Plague.

_Mount-Atlas_, which is a vast Ridge of Mountains, running from the Ocean almost as far as _Egypt_, and are back'd with the Desarts of _Lybia_, may very likely obstruct the Pa.s.sage of these Insects to the South of _Africa_; and for that Reason, perhaps, secure that part of the World from Plagues. So likewise _Mount-Caucasus_, or _Ararat_, which is one of the highest Ridge of Mountains in the World, running from East to West, thro'

_Persia_ and _India_, may secure the South Parts of those Countries from the Plague, by stopping the Pa.s.sage of those infectious Creatures, if any Winds from _Tartary_ should happen to blow them that Way: And as _China_ lies to the East of _Tartary_, so it must be Westerly Winds which must infect that Country with the Plague, if it proceeds from what I imagine: But we do not yet find that Westerly Winds are frequent in those Parts; or if they are, we may be a.s.sur'd they cannot blow at the same time when the Insects are hatch'd and carried the contrary Way by the Wind from _Tartary_. We are inform'd, that upon the Coast of _China_, the Winds are so regular, that from _October_ to _March_ they continually blow from the North-East, and from that Month to _October_, the direct contrary Way.

And Plants are no less subject to be destroy'd by Insects, than Men and Quadrupedes, is I have explain'd in the Chapter of Blights, in my _New Improvements of Planting and Gardening_.

_Plants_ of all degrees are subject to Blights, which are so variously communicated to them, that sometimes a whole Tree will perish by that Distemper; now and then a few Leaves, or Blossoms only, and perhaps a Branch or two, will be shrivel'd, or scorch'd by it, and the rest remain green and flourishing. I have yet never observ'd this Disease to happen among Plants, but upon the blowing of sharp and clear _Easterly_ Winds, which are most frequent in _England_ about _March_; but sometimes happen in other Months. It is very observable, that the _Caterpillars_ generally attend these Winds, chiefly infecting some one sort of Tree more than another, and even then not every where upon the kind of Tree they attack, but some particular Branches only; from which Observations I think we may draw the following Inferences, either that the Eggs of those Insects are brought to us by the _Easterly_ Winds, or that the Temperature of the Air, when the _Easterly_ Winds blow, is necessary to hatch those Creatures, supposing their Eggs were already laid upon those infected Parts of the Trees the preceding Year.

The Blights which are attended with large _Worms_ or _Caterpillars_, seem to be rather hatch'd with the _East_ Wind, than that the Eggs of those Creatures are brought along with it; but those Blights which produce only those small Insects which occasion the curling of the Leaves of Trees, may proceed from Swarms of them, either hatch'd or in the Egg, which are brought with the Wind.

Some perhaps may object, that the _East_ Wind is too cold to hatch these Creatures; how comes it then that we find them hatch'd when those Winds reign? Or is it reasonable to conjecture that the same degree of Heat is necessary to enliven an Insect as is required to hatch the Egg of a Pullet? The Insects of _Norway_, _Iceland_, and such like cold Climes, must certainly have less Heat to produce them, than Creatures of the same Race must necessarily have in those Climates which lye nearer to the Sun.

Every Creature, without doubt, requires a different Period of Heat or Cold to enliven it, and put it in Motion, which is prov'd by so many known Instances, that I conceive there is no room for any dispute upon that score.

But there may yet be another Question, _viz._ Whether it is not the _East_ Wind of it self that blights, without the help of _Insects_? But that may be easily resolved on my side; for that if it was the Wind alone that blighted, then every Plant in its way must unavoidably be infected with its Poison; whereas we find the contrary on a single Branch it may be, or some other distinct Part of Plants.

And again, to shew how reasonably we may conjecture that 'tis _Insects_ which thus infect the Trees, let us only consider, that every _Insect_ has its proper _Plant_, or Tribe of _Plants_, which it naturally requires for its Nourishment, and will feed upon no other kind whatsoever: Therefore 'tis no wonder to see one particular sort of Tree blighted, when all others escape; as for Example, that Wind which brings or hatches the _Caterpillars_ upon the _Apple-Trees_, will not any way infect the _Pear_, _Plumb_, or _Cherry_ with _Blights_, because, were the Shoals of _Insects_ natural to the _Apple_, to light only upon those other Trees mentioned, they would then want their proper Matrix to hatch in; or if they were hatch'd already, they would Perish for want of their natural Food; so that 'tis morally impossible that all sorts of Trees should be blighted at the same time, unless the Eggs of every kind of _Insect_, natural to each Tree, could be brought at one time with the Wind, or that an Easterly Wind could contain in it at once, as many differing Periods of Cold or Heat, as would be requir'd to hatch and maintain each differing kind of those Creatures.

The common People in the Country seem to be of my Opinion, that Blights are brought by the East Winds, which they are so well satisfied brings or hatches the _Caterpillar_, that to prevent the too great Progress of Blights, it is common for them when the East Winds blow, to provide large Heaps of Weeds, Chaff, and other combustible Matter on the Windside of their Orchards, and set them on Fire, that the Smoak may poison either the _Insects_ or their Eggs, as they are pa.s.s'd along. By this Contrivance I have often known large Orchards preserv'd, when the neighbouring Parts have suffer'd to the Loss of all their Fruit.

And I have also seen these Fires made with good Success to destroy the _Caterpillars_, even after they were hatch'd, and had began to devour the Trees, by suffocating them, and forcing them to drop to the Ground, where they have been swept up in large Quant.i.ties, and kill'd. I have heard it affirm'd by a Gentleman of Reputation, that _Pepper-Dust_, being powder'd upon the _Blossoms_ of any Tree, will preserve them from Blights, which may be, because _Pepper_ is said to be present Death to every Creature but to Mankind. Now altho' this last Secret is too costly for common Use, yet it may be of Service in some particular Place for the Tryal of a new Tree, where a Taste of the Fruit is desired, and besides it helps to inform us, that Blights are occasion'd by Insects, or their Eggs, lodging upon a Plant, and that _Pepper Dust_ will not suffer them either to live, or to be hatch'd.

Another Remark (which to me is Demonstration) that Blights proceed from _Insects_, or their Eggs (being brought with the Easterly Winds) was the total Destruction of the _Turneps_, _Ann._ 1716, on the West Side of _London_; about _October_ we had dry Easterly Winds for a Week or ten Days, and several thousand Acres of _Turneps_, which were then well grown, turn'd Yellow and decay'd, unless in such Places only as were shelter'd by Hedges, Houses, or Trees, where they remain'd Green 'till the _Insects_, which came with the Wind, in about a Week's Time, destroy'd those also.

Some Farmers imagin'd that the Birds which were there in great Flocks, had eaten the Leaves of their _Turneps_, and contriv'd all Means possible to destroy them, 'till I convinc'd them that the Birds were rather Friends than Enemies and came there to feed upon the _Caterpillars_, which were in such great Numbers, that each _Turnep-plant_ had not less than a Thousand upon it; and that _Insects_ frequently pa.s.s in Clouds and numberless Armies after this manner, is plain from several Instances, which have happen'd in my Time, and one of them (I think in _June, Ann._ 1717) pa.s.sing over _London_ were suffocated (I suppose) with the Smoak of the Sea-Coal, and drop'd down in the Streets, insomuch that a square Court belonging to the _Royal Society_ was almost cover'd with them; these were of the _Fly Kind_, and fully perfected.

It may be asked, perhaps, how these _Insects_ came to destroy the _Turneps_ only, and not touch the other Greens of the Fields, as _Cabbages_, _Carrots_, _Parsnips_, and the like? Every Herb has its peculiar _Insect_, like the Trees I have mention'd: Nay more than this, the _Insects_ which Nature hath design'd to prey upon the Flower of a Plant, will not eat the Leaves, or any other Part of the same Plant. The Leaves of Plants have their _Insects_ natural to them, the Bark and Wood likewise have their respective Devourers; and those several _Insects_ have other Kinds, which lay their Eggs, and feed upon them.

I could yet give a much larger Account of Animals and Plants, how they have been particularly Infected, but I rather choose to refer my Reader to the Chapter at large, of _Blights_ and _Plagues_, in my _New Improvements of Planting and Gardening_, &c.

By the foregoing Accounts we may observe, that _Mankind_, _Quadrupedes_ and _Plants_ seem to be infected in the same manner, by unwholesome _Insects_; only allowing this Difference, that the same _Insect_ which is poisonous to Man, is not so to other Animals or Plants, and so on the contrary; we observe likewise, that Pepper which is of Use to Mankind, is poisonous to other Creatures, and tho' a Man cannot eat of the _Cicuta_, or _Hemlock_, without prejudice, yet a _Cow_ and some other Animals will eat it to their Advantage; and the _Manchanese_ Apple, which is deadly Poison to almost every Creature, is eaten greedily by Goats, and which is strange, the Milk of those Goats is wholesome to Mankind. Again, we may remark that _Camphire_ which may be taken at the Mouth by the Human Race, and is helpful in many Cases, will destroy _Insects_; for among the Curious who have Cabinets of Rarities, it is a common Practice to lay it in their Drawers and Cases, to destroy the smaller kind of _Insects_, which would otherwise devour their Collections.

The Smoaking of Tobacco is helpful to some Const.i.tutions, but was the pure Leaf to be taken directly into the Stomach, it would Purge in a violent Manner, and the Oil of it as I am told is a deadly Poison; however it is to be remarked, that in the time of the last Plague in _London_, _Anno_ 1665, that Distemper did not reach those who smoak'd Tobacco every Day, but particularly it was judged the best to smoak in a Morning. We have an Account of a famous Physician, who in the Pestilential time took every Morning a Cordial to guard his Stomach, and after that a Pipe or two before he went to visit his Patients; at the same time we are told, he had an Issue in his Arm, by which, when it begun to smart, he knew he had received some Infection, (as he says) and then had recourse to his Cordial and his Pipe, by this means only he preserved himself, as several others did at that time by the same Method. I suppose therefore, that the Smoak of Tobacco is noxious to these Venomous _Insects_, which I believe to be the Cause of the Plague, either by mixing it self with the Air and there destroying them, or else by provoking the Stomach to discharge it self of those Morbid Juices which would nourish and encourage them.

When I consider that the dead Bodies of the miserable People of _Ma.r.s.eilles_ were found full of _Insects_, and that those Worms could be no way so suddenly killed, as by putting Oil or Lemon Juice upon them, it brings to my Mind several Tryals I have made upon _Insects_ of various Kinds, in order to occasion their speedy Death. In these Experiments, I found that most of the larger Kinds would live some Minutes in Spirit of Wine and other spirituous Liquors, when they were forced into them, and that Oil immediately suffocated them, from whence I suppose, the Air, or Breath they draw, is exceeding fine and subtile, and that a thick Air consists of too gross Parts for them to breath, and that since Oil destroys the larger Kinds of them immediately, the Oleagenous Particles evaporating from such Bodies as Oil, Pitch, Tar, _&c._ expanding themselves, and mixing with the common Air, would render it too thick for the smaller Kinds to subsist in.

We observe likewise that all _Aromatick Herbs_, &c. were found useful in the time of the dreadful Pestilence in 1665, which helps to confirm what I have just now related, for a single Leaf of Rosemary contains at least 500 little Bladders of Oily Juice, which by rubbing, break and afford that grateful Smell we find in that Plant, but in that as in all other _Aromatick Herbs_, was we to bruise the Leaves 'till all those Bladders were broken, the recreating Smell would be lost, and we should find only remaining an earthy, disagreeable Flavour, arising from the common undigested Sap; so if we take the Leaves of Fifty several Kinds of Aromatick Plants, and after bruising them, make up distinctly the bruis'd Leaves of each into b.a.l.l.s, and dry them by the Sun, or otherwise, they will all afford the same Smell; for the breaking of those Bladders, or Blisters, which yield the different Smells (from the Essence they severally contain) makes them lose all their Spirit or Essence.

In the Culture of these Aromatick Herbs, such as _Rosemary_, _Lavender_, _Thyme_, &c. we may remark, that they are never destroy'd by any _Insect_, which may still give us a further Proof of the Antipathy all _Insects_ have to them, for which Reason some People are used to smoak their Houses with these Aromatick Herbs, but especially where the Chambers or Rooms are small and close; and it has been proved, that the Burning of Aromatick Gums and Woods, have likewise been useful in purifying the Air in a House, and preventing the Spreading of Pestilential Distempers.

In 1665 it was observable, that in _Aldermanbury_, and other Places, where there were large Ware-Houses of Aromatick Druggs, the Infection did not reach; so that it seems where there is Quant.i.ty enough of such Woods or Gums, as yield a strong Smell, we have no Occasion of burning them, the bare Effluvia rising from a large Ma.s.s, having the same Effect as burning a small Quant.i.ty. As every one of these Druggs, or Gums, is more pungent or operative upon the Organs of Smelling, so we may be a.s.sured, the Vapour proceeding from them fill a larger s.p.a.ce in the Air; but perhaps a Tun Weight of the strongest Aromatick among them, in the Body or Ma.s.s, will not purifie so much Air as half an Ounce of the same will do by burning; for the Smoak of a few Grains of _Tobacco_, when the Air is clear, will sensibly touch the Smell above forty Yards, tho' a Pound of the Herb unburnt will not affect the Smell above a Foot.

These Observations may serve to inform us, that the burning of Aromaticks may help to keep the Air in an healthful State; but as Men of Business must often change their Station, and pa.s.s thro' different Degrees and Tempers of Air, it is for that Reason, that Aromaticks, and strong smelling Roots, Herbs, _&c._ are recommended to be taken into the Stomach.

The Cordial which we call _Plague-water_, compos'd of Aromatick Herbs, has been used with Success, as has also been Conserves of _Rhue_, _&c._ and the Use of _Garlick_ in the _Amiens_ Distemper, particularly, is remarkable. To this I may likewise add a Relation I had lately from some Men of Quality concerning a _Plague_, which some Years since destroy'd a great part of the _French_ Army: It was observable, that at that time the _Irish_ Regiments in that Service were preserv'd by rubbing their Bread every Morning with _Garlick_, which undoubtedly must taint their Breath for many Hours, and so regulate the Air about them, that the unwholesome _Insects_ could not approach them.

Upon this Occasion, I cannot omit observing the extraordinary Remedy for destroying the Insect call'd the _Wevil_ in Corn or Malt, as it was communicated to me by the Learned Dr. _Bentley_, Master of Trinity College, _Cambridge_; that worthy Gentleman tells me, that the Herb _Parietaria_, or _Peletory of the Wall_, is a Sovereign Remedy against the _Wevil_ in Corn or Malt; and according to the Information he has had, an Handful of that Plant being laid here and there in a Granary infected by those Insects, will infallibly destroy them in a Day or two; which Discovery is so useful, that I think it ought to be made as publick as possible, and in this place serves to confirm my Hypothesis, That the Effluvia of some Plants are Destructive to Insects.

In the next place I come to consider, how much a certain Quant.i.ty of Air is requisite to preserve a single Animal Body, and the Knowledge of that, is what I account one of the chief Preservatives of Health. I have often been concern'd to find a Family of six or seven pinn'd up in a Room, that has not contain'd Air enough for the Maintenance of Health in one single Person; but such is the Hardship of our Poor in many Places, and is frequently the Occasion of their Death.

We may easily conceive how this happens, if we examine the Case of the Diving Tub, how short a while a Man can live it, without a Supply of fresh Air; the occasion of which is, that when he has drawn in with his Breath, all the Grosser Parts from the Air enclos'd in the Tub, the rest grows hot and suffocating, by being too much rarified.