moak their Houses
with these Aromatick Herbs, but especially where the Chambers or Rooms are
small and close; and it has been proved, that the Burning of Aromatick
Gums and Woods, have likewise been useful in purifying the Air in a House,
and preventing the Spreading of Pestilential Distempers.

In 1665 it was observable, that in _Aldermanbury_, and other Places, where
there were large Ware-Houses of Aromatick Druggs, the Infection did not
reach; so that it seems where there is Quantity enough of such Woods or
Gums, as yield a strong Smell, we have no Occasion of burning them, the
bare Effluvia rising from a large Mass, having the same Effect as burning
a small Quantity. As every one of these Druggs, or Gums, is more pungent
or operative upon the Organs of Smelling, so we may be assured, the
Vapour proceeding from them fill a larger Space in the Air; but perhaps a
Tun Weight of the strongest Aromatick among them, in the Body or Mass,
will not purifie so much Air as half an Ounce of the same will do by
burning; for the Smoak of a few Grains of _Tobacco_, when the Air is
clear, will sensibly touch the Smell above forty Yards, tho' a Pound of
the Herb unburnt will not affect the Smell above a Foot.

These Observations may serve to inform us, that the burning of Aromaticks
may help to keep the Air in an healthful State; but as Men of Business
must often change their Station, and pass thro' different Degrees and
Tempers of Air, it is for that Reason, that Aromaticks, and strong
smelling Roots, Herbs, _&c._ are recommended to be taken into the Stomach.
The Cordial which we call _Plague-water_, compos'd of Aromatick Herbs, has
been used with Success, as has also been Conserves of _Rhue_, _&c._ and
the Use of _Garlick_ in the _Amiens_ Distemper, particularly, is
remarkable. To this I may likewise add a Relation I had lately from some
Men of Quality concerning a _Plague_, which some Years since destroy'd a
great part of the _French_ Army: It was observable, that at that time the
_Irish_ Regiments in that Service were preserv'd by rubbing their Bread
every Morning with _Garlick_, which undoubtedly must taint their Breath
for many Hours, and so regulate the Air about them, that the unwholesome
_Insects_ could not approach them.

Upon this Occasion, I cannot omit observing the extraordinary Remedy for
destroying the Insect call'd the _Wevil_ in Corn or Malt, as it was
communicated to me by the Learned Dr. _Bentley_, Master of Trin