It is therefore no wonder, that great Complaints were sometimes made here against this unreasonable Usage; which, when they prevailed so far, as to procure some Release for the _Sick_, were remarkably followed with an Abatement of the Disease. The _Plague_ in the Year 1636 began with great Violence, but Leave being given by the King's Authority for People to quit their Houses; it was observed, That _not one in twenty of the well Persons removed fell Sick, nor one in ten of the Sick dyed_[14]. Which single Instance alone, had there been no other, should have been of Weight ever after to determine the Magistracy against too strict Confinements. But besides this, a preceding _Plague_, viz. in the Year 1625, affords us another Instance of a very remarkable Decrease upon the discontinuing to _shut up_ Houses. It was indeed so late in the Year, before this was done, that the near Approach of Winter was doubtless one Reason for the Diminution of the Disease, which followed: Yet this was so very great, that it is at least past dispute, that the Liberty then permitted was no Impediment to it: For this _opening_ of the Houses was allowed of in the beginning of _September_; and whereas the last Week in _August_, there dyed no less than 4218, the very next Week the _Burials_ were diminuished to 3344, and in no longer time than to the fourth Week after, to 852[15]. Since therefore the Management in former Times neither answers the Purpose of _discovering the Beginning_ of the _Infection_, nor of putting a stop to it when _Discovered_, other Measures are certainly to be taken; which I think should be of this Nature. Instead of _ignorant old Women_, who are generally appointed _Searchers_ in Parishes to enquire what Diseases People dye of, That _Office_ should be committed to _Understanding and Diligent Men_, whose Business it should be, as soon as they find any have dyed after an uncommon Manner, particularly with _livid Spots_, _Buboes_, or _Carbuncles_, to give Notice thereof to the Magistrates; who should immediately send skilful Physicians to Visit the Houses in the Neighbourhood, especially of the _Poorer_ sort, among whom this Evil generally begins; and if upon their Report it appears, that a _Pestilential Distemper_ is broke out among the Inhabitants, They should without Delay order all the Families, in which the Sickness is, to be _Removed_; The Sick to different Places from the _Sound_; but the Houses for both should be three or four Miles out of Town; and the _Sound_ People should be _stript of all their Cloaths_, and _washed_ and _shaved_, before they go into their new Lodgings.