V

53

OF INFECTION.

It sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gainsesteem where that fails. It is an ornament to the highest as well asthe lowest station, and cannot be dispensed with in either. Few vir-tues are of more importance to society than general cleanliness. Itought to be carefully culrivated every where; but in populous citie«it should be almost revered.

As it is impossible to be thoroughly clean without a sufficientquantity of water, we should earnestly recommend it to the magis-trates of great towns to be particularly attentive to this article. Mostgreat towns in Britain are so situated as to be easily supplied withwater; and those persons who will not make a proper use of it, afterit is brought to their hand, certainly deserve to be severely punished.The streets of great towns where water can be had, ought to bewashed every day. This is the only effectual method for keepingthem thoroughly clean; and, upon trial, we are persuaded it will befound the cheapest.

borne of the most dreadful diseases incident to human naturemight, in-my opinion, be entirely eradicated by cleanliness.

CHAP. IX.OF INFECTION.

MANY diseases are infectious. Every person ought therefore,as far as he can, to avoid all communication with the diseased-Fhe common practice of visiting the sick, though often well meant,has many ill consequences. Far be it from me to discourage any actof charity or benevolence, especially towards those in distress; butI cannot help blaming such as endanger their own or their neighhour's lives, by a mistaken friendship or an impertinent curiosity.

The houses of the sick, especially in the country, are generallycrowded from morning till night with idle visitors. It is customary,in such places, for servants and young people to wait upon the sick byturns, and even to sit up with them all night. It would be a miracleindeed should such always escape. Experience teaches us the dan-«er of this conduct. People often catch fevers in this way,, and com-municate them to others, till at length they become epidemic.

It would be thought highly improper for one who had not had thesmall pox to wait on a patient in that disease; yet many otherfevers are almost as infectious as the small pox, and not less fatal.Some imagine that fevers prove more fatal in villages than in greattowns for want of proper medical assistance. This may sometimes bethe case; but I am inclined to think it oftener proceeds from thecause above mentioned.

Were a plan to be laid down for communicating infection, it could■not be done more effectually than by the common method of visitingthe sick. Such visitors not only endanger themselves and thfir con-nections, but likewise hurt the sick. By crowding the house, theylender the air unwholesome, and by their private whispers anil <lis-