Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries.) A DISCOURSE ON THE PLAGUE: BY _RICHARD MEAD_, Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of the Royal Society; and Physician to his MAJESTY. The NINTH EDITION corrected and enlarged. _LONDON_, Printed for A. MILLAR, against _Catharine-Street_, in the _Strand_: And J. BRINDLEY in _New-Bond-Street_. MDCCXLIV. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE _James Craggs_, Esq; ONE OF His MAJESTY'S Principal Secretaries of State. _SIR_, I MOST humbly offer to You my Thoughts concerning the _Prevention of the Plague_, which I have put together by your Command. As soon as you were pleased to signify to me, in his _Majesty's_ Absence, that their Excellencies the _Lords Justices_ thought it necessary for the publick Safety, upon the Account of the _Sickness_ now in _France_, that proper Directions should be drawn up to defend our selves from such a Calamity; I most readily undertook the Task, though upon short Warning, and with little Leisure: I have therefore rather put down the _principal Heads of Caution_, than a _Set of Directions in Form_. THE _first_, which relate to _the performing Quarantaines_, &c. You, who are perfectly versed in the History of _Europe_, will see are agreeable to what is practised in other Countries, with some new Regulations. _The next_, concerning the _suppressing Infection here_, are very different from the Methods taken in former Times among _Us_, and from what they commonly do _Abroad_: But, I persuade my self, will be found agreeable to Reason. I MOST heartily wish, that the wise Measures, the _Government_ has already taken, and will continue to take, with Regard to the _former_ of _these_, may make the _Rules_ about the _latter_ unnecessary. However, it is fit, we should be always provided with proper _Means of Defence_ against so terrible an _Enemy_. MAY this short _Essay_ be received as one Instance, among many others, of the Care, you always shew for Your Country; and as a Testimony of the great Esteem and Respect, with which I have the Honour to be, _SIR_, _Your most obedient, and Most humble Servant,_ R. MEAD. Nov. 25. 1720. THE CONTENTS. The Preface, Page i PART I. _Of the_ PLAGUE _in General_. CHAP I. Of the Origine and Nature of the PLAGUE, 1 CHAP II. Of the Causes which spread the PLAGUE, 41 PART II. _Of the Methods to be taken against the_ PLAGUE. CHAP I. Of preventing Infection from other Countries, 80 CHAP II. Of stopping the Progress of the PLAGUE, if it should enter our Country, 100 CHAP III. Of the Cure of the PLAGUE, 151 THE PREFACE.