204 ^7 *P reformation gence and Labour, both in publick and private,, to prevent the Encroachment of fuch a fiibtile and cruel Deftroyer. And it was certainly to this purpofe a wife Con- trivance of the Magiflrates, to conftitute two in every Parilh daily to viiit every Fa- mily, and be fatisfied whether every one belonging thereunto was well, and free from any Infection, BUT both the Ancients and Moderns have taken the utmoft Pains in contriving to purge the Air, on a Suppofition that, in a peftilential Contagion, that is fubfiantially infe£ted : But as the Air, as before demon- ftrated, is only the Lodgment or Vehicle to the peftilential Miafmata, which are every Way agitated in it, it does not feem fo much to want Depuration on its own Account, as that poilonous Mixture which is joined with it. Indeed the peftilential Particle s refiding in the Porofkies of the Air, may often,' without any Change of Figure, for Want of due Agitation, remain and ftagnate in it a long Time, fo as to be drawn in by the Lungs in Inspiration* and hence from the intimate Mixture and Confufion as it were of both, a Sufpicion may be entertained of the Taint coming from a Cor-
