AND I cannot but take notice, as a Confirmation of what I have been advancing, that we had here the same kind of Fever in the Year 1713, about the Month of _September_, which was called the _Dunkirk Fever_, as being brought by our Soldiers from that Place. This probably had its Original from the _Plague_, which a few Years before broke out at _Dantzick_, and continued some time among the Cities of the _North_. With us this Fever began only with a Pain in the Head, and went off in large _Sweats_ usually after a Day's Confinement: but at _Dunkirk_ it was attended with the additional Symptoms of _Vomiting_, _Diarrhoea_, &c. TO return from this Digression: From all that has been said, it appears, I think, very plainly, that the _Plague_ is a real Poison, which being bred in the Southern Parts of the World, is carried by Commerce into other Countries, particularly into _Turky_, where it maintains itself by a kind of Circulation from Persons to Goods: which is chiefly owing to the Negligence of the People there, who are stupidly careless in this affair. That when the Constitution of the _Air_ happens to favour _Infection_, it rages there with great Violence: that at that time more especially diseased Persons give it to one another, and from them _contagious Matter_ is lodged in Goods of a loose and soft Texture, which being pack'd up and carried into other Countries, let out, when opened, the imprisoned Seeds of _Contagion_, and produce the Disease whenever the _Air_ is disposed to give them force; otherwise they may be dissipated without any considerable ill Effects. And lastly, that the _Air_ does not usually diffuse and spread these to any great Distance, if Intercourse and Commerce with the Place infected be strictly prevented. [Illustration] PART II. Of the Methods to be taken against the PLAGUE. CHAP. I. _Of preventing Infection from other Countries._ AS it is a Satisfaction to know, that the _Plague_ is not a Native of our Country, so this is likewise an Encouragement to the utmost Diligence in finding out Means to keep our selves clear from it. THIS Caution consists of two Parts: _The preventing its being brought into our Island_; and, if such a Calamity should happen, _the putting a Stop to its spreading among us_. THE first of these is provided for by the established Method of obliging Ships, that come from _infected_ Places, to _perform Quarantaine_: As to which, I think it necessary, that the following Rules be observed.