An inquiry into the laws of different epidemic diseases : with the view to determine the means of preserving individuals and communities from each, and also to ascertain the probability of exterminating the small-pox / by Joseph Adams.

  • Adams, Joseph, 1756-1818.
Date:
1809
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the laws of different epidemic diseases : with the view to determine the means of preserving individuals and communities from each, and also to ascertain the probability of exterminating the small-pox / by Joseph Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/170 (page 59)
    jlances imbued with it. The fame Is well afcetr tained of the contagions* But the fever from the infectious air of hofpitals or prifons, does not ren¬ der the patient infectious; confequently, by clean- linefs and ventilation, even the nurfes are fecured from any danger. On the contrary, in the con¬ tagions, the patient is himfelf contagious; and, there is reafon to believe, that this contagious pro¬ perty is diffufed further, or retains its influence to a greater diftance, in proportion as the atmofphere is more free from other impurities. We Have feen that during the lafl plague, when not only London, but all the great towns and many of the villages were infeCled, Oxford remained fo free that the court, the parliament, and feflions were removed thither. Dr. Plott, author of the hiftory of Oxford- fhire, very reafonably imputes this exemption to the draining and greater cleanlinefs of that cit]fw But it is evident, that Oxford was confidered as more troubled with fmall-pox in proportion to its fecurity from other epidemics. The learned author concludes his anfwer to this accufation againft his favorite fpot in thefe words. But admit the objeClion be truly made, and that Oxford is more fubjeCl to fmall-pox than any of the neighbouring cities, yet if by fo much the lefs we feel the rage of the plague, I think the edge of the charge is fufliciently rebutted.” When we come to conOder the means of exter¬ minating fmall-pox, we fliall find many other in- ilances in which this opiniop is ftrengthened. But