THESE are, I think, the most material Points, to which Regard is to be had in defending ourselves again _Contagion_ from other Countries. The particular Manner of putting these Directions in Execution, as the _Visiting_ of _Ships_, _Regulation_ of _Lazaretto's_, &c. I leave to proper Officers, who ought sometimes to be assisted herein by able Physicians. CHAP. II. _Of Stopping the Progress of the_ Plague, _if it should enter our Country._ THE next Consideration is, what to do in Case, through a Miscarriage in the publick Care, by the Neglect of Officers, or otherwise, such a Calamity should be suffered to befal us. THERE is no _Evil_ in the World, in which the great Rule of _Resisting the Beginning_, more properly takes Place, than in the present Case; and yet it has unfortunately happened, that the common Steps formerly taken have had a direct Tendency to hinder the putting _this Maxim_ in Practice. AS the _Plague_ always breaks out in some particular Place, it is certain, that the Directions of the _Civil Magistrate_ ought to be such, as to make it as much for the Interest of infected Families to discover their Misfortune, as it is, when a House is on _Fire_, to call in the Assistance of the Neighbourhood: Whereas, on the contrary, the Methods taken by the Publick, on such Occasions, have always had the Appearance of a severe _Discipline_, and even _Punishment_, rather than of a _Compassionate Care_; which must naturally make the _Infected_ conceal the Disease as long as was possible. THE main Import of the _Orders_ issued out at these Times was[76]; As soon as it was found, that any House was infected, to keep it shut up, with a _large red Cross_, and these Words, _Lord, have Mercy upon us_, painted on the Door; Watchmen attending Day and Night to prevent any one's going in or out, except such _Physicians_, _Surgeons_, _Apothecaries_, _Nurses_, _Searchers_, &c. as were allowed by Authority: And this to continue at least a Month after all the Family was _dead_ or _recovered_. IT is not easy to conceive a more dismal Scene of Misery, than this: Families lock'd up from all their Acquaintance, though seized with a Distemper which the most of any in the World requires Comfort and Assistance; abandoned it may be to the Treatment of an inhumane Nurse (for such are often found at these times about the Sick;) and Strangers to every thing but the melancholy Sight of the Progress, Death makes among themselves: with small Hopes of Life left to the Survivers, and those mixed with Anxiety and Doubt, whether it be not better to die, than to prolong a miserable Being, after the Loss of their best Friends and nearest Relations. IF _Fear_, _Despair_, and all _Dejection of Spirits_, dispose the Body to receive _Contagion_, and give it a great Power, where it is received, as all Physicians agree they do; I don't see how a Disease can be more inforced than by such a Treatment.