of peftilential Difeafes. ° 53 and from the Nature that we ' here fuppofe this Poifon to be of, nothing is more likely to preferve it than animal Subftances, as Hair, Wool, Leather, Skins, &c. becaufe the very Manner of its Produ£tion> and the Na- ture of its Origin, feems to give it a greater Affinity with fuch Subftances than any other, and to difpofe it to reft therein until by Warmth, Ventilation, or any other Means of Diflodgeme nt, it is put into Motion, and railed again into the ambient Air. T O know how thefe Effluvia come to have lueh fatal Influences over Mankind, and to underftand their Progreffion from the firft Seizure, to the End of that Diftemper they gave Birth to, requires too many Precognita from the Mechanifm of the animal OEco- nomy, and the Agency of fuch minute Li- ft ruments, to be particular about, in the Compafs here limited. The Reader there- fore muft be fatisried with thofe fhort Hints here given, unlefs for more particular Infor- mation he pleafes to turn to Bellini of Fevers, and Dr. Mead of Poifons, where he will find how the Blood, and all the Secretions there- from,are affefted and changed by fuch Caufes. W E fhall here therefore only fuggeft fome Thoughts concerning the Suddennefs of their X) 3 - Sei-
