to appoint within their several limits examiners, searchers,
watchmen, keepers, and buriers, for the persons and places
infected, and to minister unto them oaths for the performance of
their offices; and the same statute did also authorize the giving
of their directions as unto them for other present necessity should
seem good in their discretions: it is now, upon special
consideration, thought very expedient, for preventing and avoiding
of infection of sickness (if it shall please Almighty God), that
these officers following be appointed, and these orders hereafter
duly observed.
_Examiners to be appointed to every Parish._
First, it is thought requisite, and so ordered, that in every
parish there be one, two, or more persons of good sort and credit
chosen by the alderman, his deputy, and common council of every
ward, by the name of examiners, to continue in that office for the
space of two months at least: and if any fit person so appointed
shall refuse to undertake the same, the said parties so refusing to
be committed to prison until they shall conform themselves
accordingly.
_The Examiner's Office._
That these examiners be sworn by the aldermen to inquire and learn
from time to time what houses in every parish be visited, and what
persons be sick, and of what diseases, as near as they can inform
themselves, and, upon doubt in that case, to command restraint of
access until it appear what the disease shall prove; and if they
find any person sick of the infection, to give order to the
constable that the house be shut up; and, if the constable shall be
found remiss and negligent, to give notice thereof to the alderman
of the ward.
_Watchmen._
That to every infected house there be appointed two watchmen,--one
for every day, and the other for the night; and that these watchmen
have a special care that no person go in or out of such infected
houses whereof they have the charge, upon pain of severe
punishment. And the said watchmen to do such further offices as the
sick house shall need and require; and if the watchman be sent upon
any business, to lock up the house and take the key with him; and
the watchman by day to attend until ten o'clock at night, and the
watchman by night until six in the morning.
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