THE next thing after the _Purifying of Houses_, is to consider by what Means particular _Persons_ may best defend themselves against _Contagion_: for the certain doing of which, it would be necessary to put the _Humours_ of the _Body_ into such a State, as not to be alterable by the _Matter of Infection_. But since this is no more to be hoped for, than a _Specific Preservative_ from the _Small-Pox_; the most that can be done, will be to keep the Body in such Order, that it may suffer as little as possible. The _first Step_ towards which, is to maintain a good State of Health, in which we are always least liable to suffer by any external Injuries; and not to weaken the Body by Evacuations. The _next_ is, to guard against all _Dejection of Spirits_, and _immoderate Passions_: for these we daily observe do expose Persons to the more common _Contagion_ of the _Small-Pox_. These Ends will be best answered by living with Temperance upon a good generous Diet, and by avoiding _Fastings_, _Watchings_, _extreme Weariness_, &c. _Another_ Defence is, to use whatever Means are proper to keep the _Blood_ from _Inflaming_. This, if it does not secure from _contracting Infection_, will at least make the _Effects_ of it less violent. The most proper Means for this, according to the Advice of the _Arabian_ Physicians, is the repeated Use of _acid Fruits_, as _Pomegranates_, _Sevil Oranges_, _Lemons_, _Tart Apples_, &c. But above all, of _Wine Vinegar_ in small Quantities, rendered grateful to the Stomach by the Infusion of some such Ingredients as _Gentian Root_, _Galangal_, _Zedoary_, _Juniper Berries_, &c. Which Medicines by correcting the _Vinegar_, and taking off some ill Effects it might otherwise have upon the Stomach, will be of good Use: but these, and all other hot _aromatic_ Drugs, though much recommended by Authors, if used alone, are most likely to do hurt by _over-heating_ the Blood. I CANNOT but recommend likewise the Use of _Issues_. The properest Place for them I take to be the inside of the Thigh a little above the Knee. Besides, the smoaking _Tobacco_, much applauded by some, since it may be put in Practice without any great Inconvenience, need not, I think, be neglected. BUT since none of these Methods promise any certain Protection; as _leaving_ the Place infected is the surest _Preservative_, so the next to it is to avoid, as much as may be, the _near Approach_ to the _Sick_, or to such as have but _lately recovered_. For the greater Security herein, it will be adviseable to avoid all _Crouds of People_. Nay, it should be the Care of the _Magistrate_ to prohibit all unnecessary _Assemblies_: and likewise to oblige all, who get over the Disease, to _confine_ themselves for some time, before they appear abroad.