OF INFECTION.

It would be thought highly improper for one whohad not had the small-pox, to wait upon a patient inthat disease; yet many other fevers are almost as in-fectious as the small-pox, and not less fatal. Some ima-gine that fevers prove more fatal in villages than ingreat towns, for want of proper medical assistance.This may sometimes be the case; but I am inclined tothink it oftener proceeds from the cause above men-tioned.

Were a plan to be laid down for communicating in-fection, it could not be done more effectually than bythe common method of visiting the sick. Such visitorsnot only endanger themselves and their connexions,but likewise hurt the sick. By crowding the house,they render the air unwholesome, and, by their privatewhispers and dismal countenances, disturb the imagina-tion of the patient, and depress his spirits. Persons whoare ill, especially in fevers, ought to be kept as quiet aspossible. The sight of strange faces, and every thingthat disturbs the mind, hurts them.

The common practice, in country places, of invitinggreat numbers of people to funerals, and crowding themintd the same apartment where the corpse lies, is an-other way of spreading infection. The infection doesnot always die with the patient. Every thing that comesinto contact with the body while alive, receives thecontagion; and some of them, as clothes, blankets, &c.will retain it for a long time. Persons who die of in-fectious disorders ought not to lie long unburied; andpeople should keep as much as possible at a distancefrom them.

It would tend greatly to prevent the spreading of in-fectious diseases, if those in health were kept at a pro-per distance from the sick. The Jewish legislator,among many other wise institutions for preserving health,has been peculiarly attentive to the means of prevent-ing infection, or defilement, as it is called, either froma diseased person or a dead body. In many cases thediseased were to be separated from those in health; andit was deemed a crime even to approach their habita-tions. If a person only tou ched a diseased or dead body,

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