Sec. 12. We should not omit, in enumerating the Causes of Maladies among Country People, the Construction of their Houses, a great many of which either lean, as it were, close to a higher Ground, or are sunk a little in the Earth. Each of these Situations subjects them to considerable Humidity; which is certain greatly to incommode the Inhabitants, and to spoil their Provisions, if they have any Quantity in Store; which, as we have observed, is another, and not the least important, Source of their Diseases. A hardy Labourer is not immediately sensible of the bad Influence of this moist and marshy Habitation; but they operate at the long Run, and I have abundantly observed their most evident bad Effects, especially on Women in Child-bed, on Children, and in Persons recovering of a preceding Disease. It would be easy to prevent this Inconvenience, by raising the Ground on which the House stood, some, or several, Inches above the Level of the adjacent Soil, by a Bed of Gravel, of small Flints, pounded Bricks, Coals, or such other Materials; and by avoiding to build immediately close to, or, as it were, under a much higher Soil. This Object, perhaps, may well deserve the Attention of the Publick; and I earnestly advise as many as do build, to observe the necessary Precautions on this Head. Another, which would cost still less Trouble, is to give the Front of their Houses an Exposure to the South-East. This Exposure, supposing all other Circumstances of the Building and its Situation to be alike, is both the most wholesome and advantageous. I have seen it, notwithstanding, very often neglected, without the least Reason being assigned for not preferring it. These Admonitions may possibly be thought of little Consequence by three fourths of the People. I take the Liberty of reminding them, however, that they are more important than they may be supposed; and so many Causes concur to the Destruction of Men, that none of the Means should be neglected, which may contribute to their Preservation. Sec. 13. The Country People in _Swisserland_ drink, either 1, pure Water, 2, some Wine, 3, Perry, made from wild Pears, or sometimes Cyder from Apples, and, 4, a small Liquor which they call _Piquette_, that is Water, which has fermented with the Cake or Husks of the Grapes, after their Juice has been expressed. Water however is their most general Drink; Wine rarely falling in their Way, but when they are employed by rich Folks; or when they can spare Money enough for a Debauch. Fruit Wines and the [12] _Piquettes_ are not used in all Parts of the Country; they are not made in all Years; and keep but for some Months.