t.
_Plutarch_ indeed speaks of a Practice like this as commonly approved
among Physicians, which he makes use of to illustrate a certain Custom
of the _Egyptians_: of whom he says, that they _purify_ the Air by the
Fumes of _Resin_ and _Myrrh_, as Physicians correct the Foulness, and
attenuate the Thickness thereof in Times of _Pestilence_, by _burning
Sweet-Woods_, _Juniper_, _Cypress_[86] &c.

THIS I take to be the Sum of what can be learned from Antiquity in
Relation to this Point; from whence we may see, that Writers have
concluded a little too hastily for the use of _common Fires_ in this
Case, upon the Authority and Example of _Hippocrates_, though we should
allow the Fact as related by _Galen_: when it will not from thence
appear that _Hippocrates_ himself relied upon them; since he thought it
necessary to take in the Assistance of _aromatic Fumes_. But as this
Fact is not grounded upon sufficient Authority, so it is needless to
insist long upon it. The Passage I have brought from _Plutarch_ will
better explain what was the Sentiment of those Physicians who approved
the Practice. It seems they expected from thence to dispel the Thickness
and Foulness of the Air. And no doubt but such evil Dispositions of the
Air, as proceed from _Damps_, _Exhalations_, and the like, may be
corrected even by _common Fires_, and the Predisposition of it from
these Causes to receive Infection sometimes removed. But I think this
Method, if it be necessary, should be put in Practice before the coming
of the _Pestilence_. For when the Distemper is actually _begun_, and
rages, since it is known to _spread_ and _increased_ by the _Heat_ of
the _Summer_, and on the contrary checked by the _Cold_ in _Winter_;
undoubtedly, whatever increases that _Heat_, will so far add Force to
the Disease: as _Mercurialis_ takes notice, that _Smiths_, and all those
who worked at the _Fire_ were most severely used in the _Plague_ at
_Venice_ in his Time[87]. Whether the Service _Fires_ may do by
correcting any other ill Qualities of the Air, will counterbalance the
Inconvenience upon this Account, Experience only can determine: and the
fatal Success of the Trials made here in the last _Plague_, is more than
sufficient to discourage any farther Attempts of this Nature. For
_Fires_ being ordered in all the _Streets_ for three Days together,
there died in one Night following no less than four thousand (if we may
believe Dr. _Hodges_:) whereas in any single We