some Days)
than they would have been without it. 'Tis remarkable, that no Oxen had
this Distemper, but only _Milch-Cows_, which were more tender than the
_Males_. The Herdsmen to keep their Cattle from the Infection, let them
Blood in the Tail, and rubb'd their Noses and Chaps with _Tar_; and when
any happened to die of it, they were burnt, and buried deep under Ground.
It began at _Islington_, spreading it self over many Places in _Middlesex_
and in _Essex_, but did not reach so far _Westward_ from _London_ as
twenty Miles.

The most general Opinion concerning the Cause of this Distemper, was, that
the Cattle were first infected by drinking some unwholesome standing
Water, where 'tis probable some Poisonous Insects were lodged and bred;
the Summer having been extreamly dry, attended almost constantly with
_Easterly_ Winds, the Grass almost burnt up, and the Herbs of the Gardens
destroyed by Insects; but such as they were, (unfit for Table Use) were
given to the Cattle. There was likewise so great want of Water, that many
were forced to drive their Cows five or six Miles to it.

The Electuary publish'd upon this Occasion by the States of _Holland_, was
compos'd of most, if not all the Drugs used in the most serviceable
Medicines that were made use of against the Plague among Men; most of
which Ingredients we know to be mortal to Insects, as strong scented Roots
and Herbs; but above all, Aromatick Gums and Saps of Plants; as Rhue,
Garlick, Pitch, Tar, Frankincense and Olibanum. These Ingredients are much
used in _France_ and _Italy_ to prevent or destroy Infection, by burning
them and smoaking such Bodies, Letters, or any other things as are brought
from infected Places, after they have made _Quarantain_, and are not
suffered to come on Shore 'till they have undergone this Operation.

It is not against Experience, that Insects can live and encrease in Animal
Bodies: How often do we find Men, Women and Children troubled with Worms?
What Varieties of those Insects are often voided by them? And how should
that be, if they were not either suck'd into the Stomach with the Breath,
or taken into it with some unwholesome Food? For they cannot breed in such
Bodies from nothing, without either their Eggs or themselves are brought
thither by some Accident: For if they were the natural Produce of Animal
Bodies, they would then be alike common to all, which we know they are
not.

I have been informed, that in the Year 1714, when t