[77] The Experience of all Countries and Times so strongly confirms these important Truths, that they cannot be too often repeated, too generally published, whenever and wherever this Disease rages. The Succession of cold Showers to violent Heats; too moist a Constitution of the Air; an Excess of animal Food; Uncleanliness and Contagion, are the frequent Causes of epidemical Fluxes. _E. L._ I have retained the preceding Note, abridged from this Gentleman, as it contains the Suffrage of another experienced Physician, against that Prejudice of ripe Fruits occasioning Fluxes, which is too popular among ourselves, and probably more so in the Country than in _London_. I have been also very credibly assured, that the Son of a learned Physician was perfectly cured of a very obstinate Purging, of a Year's Continuance (in Spite of all the usual officinal Remedies) by his devouring large Quantities of ripe Mulberries, for which he ardently longed, and drinking very freely of their expressed Juice. The Fact occurred after his Father's Decease, and was affirmed to me by a Gentleman intimately acquainted with them both. _K._ Sec. 340. It is important and even necessary, that each Subject of this Disease should have a Close-stool or Convenience apart to himself, as the Matter discharged is extremely infectious: and if they make Use of Bed-pans, they should be carried immediately out of the Chamber, the Air of which should be continually renewed, burning Vinegar frequently in it. It is also very necessary to change the Patient's Linen frequently; without all which Precautions the Distemper becomes more violent, and attacks others who live in the same House. Hence it is greatly to be wished the People in general were convinced of these Truths. It was _Boerhaave's_ Opinion, that all the Water which was drank, while Dysenteries were epidemical, should be _stummed_, as we term it, or sulphurized. [78] [78] Our learned Author, or his medical Editor at _Lyons_, observes here, 'that in the Edition of this Treatise at _Paris_, there was an essential Mistake, by making _Boerhaave_ recommend the Addition of Brandy, _Eau de vie_, instead of stumming or sulphurizing it,' for which this Note, and the Text too use the Verb _branter_, which Word we do not find in any Dictionary. We are told however, it means to impregnate the Casks in which the Water is reserved, with the Vapour of Sulphur, and then stopping them; in the same Manner that Vessels are in some Countries, for the keeping of Wine. He observes the Purpose of this is to oppose Corruption by the acid Steams of the Sulphur. _K._