mity was ſpread by Infection, that is to ſay, by ſome certain Steams, or Fumes, which the Phyſicians call Effluvia, by the Breath, or by the Sweat, or by the Stench of the Sores of the ſick Perſons, or ſome other way, perhaps, beyond even the Reach of the Phyſicians themſelves, which Effluvia affected the Sound, who come within certain Diſtances of the Sick, immediately penetrating the Vital Parts of the ſaid ſound Perſons, putting their Blood into an immediate ferment, and agitating their Spirits to that Degree which it was found they were agitated; and ſo thoſe newly infected Perſons communicated it in the ſame Manner to others; and this I ſhall give ſome Inſtances of, that cannot but convince thoſe who ſeriouſly conſider it; and I cannot but with ſome Wonder, find ſome People, now the Contagion is over, talk of its being an immediate Stroke from Heaven, without the Agency of Means, having Commiſſion to ſtrike this and that particular Perſon, and none other: which look upon with Contempt, as the Effect of manifeſt Ignorance and Enthuſiaſm; likewiſe the Opinion of others, who talk of infection being carried on by the Air only, by carrying with it vaſt Numbers of Infects, and inviſible Creatures, who enter into the Body with the Breath, or even at the Pores with the Air, and there generate, or emit moſt accute Poiſons, or poiſonous Ovæ, or Eggs, which mingle themſelves with the Blood, and ſo infect the Body, a Diſcourſe full of learned Simplicity, and manifeſted to be ſo by univerſal Experience; but I ſhall ſay more to this Caſe in its Order.
I muſt here take farther Notice that Nothing was more fatal to the Inhabitants of this City, than the Supine Negligence of the People themſelves, who during the long Notice, or Warning they had of the Viſitation, yet made no Proviſion for it, by laying in Store of Proviſions, or of other Neceſſaries, by which they might have liv’d retir’d, and within their own Houſes, as I have obſerved, others did,
