ALL this abundantly shews how inexcusable the foresaid Physicians in =France= are, in their opposing the common Opinion that the =Plague= is contagious. However, I have paid so much Regard to them, as to insist the more largely upon the Proof of that =Contagion=; lest the Opinion of those, who have had so much Experience of the Disease, might lead any one into an Error, in an Affair of such Consequence, that all my Precepts relating to =Quarantaines=, and well nigh every particular Part of my Advice, depends upon it: For if this Opinion were a Mistake, =Quarantaines=, and all the like =Means of Defence=, ought to be thrown aside as of no use. But as I continue persuaded, that we have the greatest Evidence, that the =PLAGUE= is a =contagious= Disease; so I have left, without any Alteration, all my Directions in respect to =Quarantaines=: in which, I hope, I have not recommended any Thing =prejudicial to Trade=; my Advice being very little different from what has been long practised in all the =trading= Ports of =Italy=, and in other Places. Nay, were we to be more remiss in this than our Neighbours, I cannot think but the =Fear= they would have of us, must much obstruct our =Commerce=. BUT I shall pursue this Point no farther: the rather because a very learned Physician among themselves has since, both by strong Reasoning and undeniable Instances, evinced the Reality of =Contagion=[11]. IN a word, the more I consider this Matter, the more I am convinced that the Precepts I have delivered, both with regard to the Preventing the Plague from coming into a Country, and the Treatment of it when present, are perfectly suitable to the Nature of the Distemper, and consequently the fittest to be complied with. But how far, in every Situation of Affairs, it is expedient to grant the =Powers=, requisite for putting all of them in Practice, it is not my proper Business, as a Physician, to determine. No doubt, but at all Times, these =Powers= ought to be so limited and restrained, that they may never endanger the Rights and Liberties of a People. Indeed, as I have had no other View than the Publick Good in this my Undertaking, and the Satisfaction of doing somewhat towards the Relief of Mankind, under the greatest of Calamities; so I should not, without the utmost Concern, see that any Thing of mine gave the least Countenance to Cruelty and Oppression.