INFECTION.

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distress, but only to put them on their guard against beingtoo much in company with those who are afflicted with dis-eases of an infectious nature.

Such as wait upon the sick in infectious diseases run verygreat hazard. They ought to stuff their noses with tobacco,or some other strong smelling herb, as rue, tansy, or the like.They ought likewise to keep the patient very clean, and fre-quently to sprinkle the room where he lies with vinegar, orother strong acids ; and to avoid the smell of his breath asmuch as they can. Such persons as attend the sick oughtnever to go into company without having changed theirclothes, washed their hands and face, &c. ; otherwise, if thedisease be infectious, they will, in all probability, carry thecontagion along with them.*

However trifling it may appear to inconsiderate persons,we will venture to affirm, that a due attention to those thingswhich tend to diffuse infection would be of some importancein preventing diseases. There are many diseases which arein some degree infectious. For this reason, no one shouldcontinue long with the sick, except the necessary attendants.I mean not, however, by this caution, to deter those whoseduty or office leads them to wait upon the sick from such alaudable and necessary employment.

Many things are in the power of the magistrate whichwould -tend to prevent the spreading of infection ; as the pro-moting of public cleanliness ; removing jails, hospitals,church-yards, and other places where infection may be gene-rated, at a proper distance from great towns ; widening thestreets, pulling down useless walls, and taking all methodsto promote a free circulation of air through every part of thetown, &c. Public hospitals, or proper places of reception forthe sick, provided they were kept clean, well ventilated, and

* There is reason to believe that infection is often conveyed fromone place to another by the carelessness of the faculty themselves.Many physicians affect a familiar way of sitting upon the patient'sbedside, and holding his arm for a considerable time. If the patienthas the small pox, or any other infectious disease, there is no doubtbut the doctor's hands, clothes, fee, will carry away some of the in-fection ; and if he goes directly to visit another patient, without wash-ing his hands, changing his clothes, or being exposed to the open air,which is not seldom the case, is it any wonder that he should carrythe disease along with him? Physicians not only endanger others,but also themselves, by this practice ; and, indeed, sometimes theysuffer for their want of care.