_We may observe, that the Contagion now spreading it self in Foreign Parts, has nearly the same Symptoms that were observ'd in the late Plague at_ London; _so that what Medicines were then used with good Success, may direct not only the People of_ England _in the way of Practice, if_ God _Almighty should please to afflict us with that dreadful Distemper, but be serviceable likewise to the Infected Places abroad. There is room enough to hope, the approaching Cold, which we naturally expect at this Season, may prevent its spreading amongst us for some Months, 'till the Air begins to warm, but the Seeds of that Venom may be brought over in Merchandizes even in the coldest Months, and according to the Nature of Insects will not hatch, or appear to our Prejudice, 'till the hotter Seasons. For to suppose this Malignant Distemper is occasion'd by Vapours only arising from the Earth, is to lay aside our Reason, as I think I have already shewn in my_ New Improvements of Planting, _&c. to which my Reader may refer._ _I suppose there may be such Persons in the World who do not agree with the Hypothesis I have laid down in the following Sheets, altho' many Learned Authors have supported it; and again, I expect others to Except against the Concise way I have taken, in writing upon a Subject, which at this time ought to be set in the plainest Light; but as I found the Danger of Pestilence spreading it self more and more every Day, a true Lover of his Country could not be easie without giving the Publick some Hints to prevent its dismal Effects, and at the same time to engage the Learned to write upon such an Occasion._ _And it is with Pleasure I observe, that since the former Editions of this small Tract has been made publick, our Learned Physicians are dispos'd to consider the necessary Means to prevent (as far as in them lies) the spreading of this Calamity, and justly deserve the favour of the Publick._ _For my own part, I can only say, that the short time I had to put this Work together, would not allow me to give it with that exactness, that I would have done, if I could have had more Leisure._ THE PLAGUE AT _MARSEILLES_ CONSIDER'D, _&c._ The Deplorable Condition of the _Marseillians_, and the Danger that all the Trading Parts of _Europe_ are now in, of being Infected by the Plague which rages in the _South_ Parts of _France_, and every Day spreads it self more and more over the Neighbouring Countries, gives me occasion to Publish some Papers which would never have otherwise appeared in the World.