I cannot help taking Notice likewise of the raging Distemper which was among the Cows about _London_, _Anno_ 1714. It was so Violent and Infectious, that if _one_ had it, all others that came within Scent of her, or even eat where she Grazed, were surely infected; it seized their Heads, and was attended with running at the Nose, and a very nauseous Breath, which killed them in three or four Days. The Herdsmen would not allow it to be the _Murrain_, nor could give any Account from whence it did proceed, or could find out any Remedy against it; they only tell us the unusual dry Summer, and the continued _East_-Winds, were the occasion of it. This Distemper had been for two or three Years before it came to us, in _Lombardy_, _Holland_, and _Hambrough_, to the Loss almost of all their Cattle. The States of _Holland_ caused a Medicine to be published for the Good of those who had their Cattle thus Distemper'd; but having been try'd here, 'twould not Cure one in seven, but rather increased the Infection by keeping the distemper'd Cattle longer alive (by some Days) than they would have been without it. 'Tis remarkable, that no Oxen had this Distemper, but only _Milch-Cows_, which were more tender than the _Males_. The Herdsmen to keep their Cattle from the Infection, let them Blood in the Tail, and rubb'd their Noses and Chaps with _Tar_; and when any happened to die of it, they were burnt, and buried deep under Ground. It began at _Islington_, spreading it self over many Places in _Middlesex_ and in _Essex_, but did not reach so far _Westward_ from _London_ as twenty Miles. The most general Opinion concerning the Cause of this Distemper, was, that the Cattle were first infected by drinking some unwholesome standing Water, where 'tis probable some Poisonous Insects were lodged and bred; the Summer having been extreamly dry, attended almost constantly with _Easterly_ Winds, the Grass almost burnt up, and the Herbs of the Gardens destroyed by Insects; but such as they were, (unfit for Table Use) were given to the Cattle. There was likewise so great want of Water, that many were forced to drive their Cows five or six Miles to it. The Electuary publish'd upon this Occasion by the States of _Holland_, was compos'd of most, if not all the Drugs used in the most serviceable Medicines that were made use of against the Plague among Men; most of which Ingredients we know to be mortal to Insects, as strong scented Roots and Herbs; but above all, Aromatick Gums and Saps of Plants; as Rhue, Garlick, Pitch, Tar, Frankincense and Olibanum. These Ingredients are much used in _France_ and _Italy_ to prevent or destroy Infection, by burning them and smoaking such Bodies, Letters, or any other things as are brought from infected Places, after they have made _Quarantain_, and are not suffered to come on Shore 'till they have undergone this Operation.