aha, the first province, travelling
from the shores of the Mediterranean, where the people live in
walled habitations, the seaports excepted.]
188
Whence proceeds this difference? Is it a different species of
plague, and not so deadly a contagion? Or is it because the remedy
of _olive_ oil, applied and recommended generally by me, and by
some other Europeans during the plague of 1799, is now made public
and generally administered? This is an inquiry well deserving the
attention of scientific men. And His Majesty's ministers might
procure the information from the British consul at Tangier, or from
the governor of Gibraltar: perhaps the truth is, that the contagion
is of a more mild character.

With regard to the remedy of olive oil applied[141] internally, I
should, myself, be disposed to doubt its efficacy unless M. Colaco,
189 the Portuguese consul at L'Araich, is competent to declare, _from
his own knowledge and experience_, that this remedy has been
administered effectually by him to persons having the plague, who
did not _also use the friction with oil_. I say, till this can be
ascertained, I think the remedy of oil applied _externally_, should
not be forsaken; as _it has been proved during the plague in
Africa, in 1799, to be infallible_, and therefore indispensable to
people whose vocation may lead them to associate with, or to touch
or bury the infected. For the rest, such persons as are not
compelled to associate with the infected, may effectually avoid the
contagion, however violent and deadly it may be, by avoiding
contact. I am so perfectly convinced of this fact, from the
experience and observation I have made during my residence at
Mogodor, whilst the plague raged there in 1799, that I would not
object to go to any country, although it were rotten with the
plague, provided my going would benefit mankind, or serve any
useful purpose; and I would use no fumigation, or any other remedy
but what I actually used at Mogodor in 1799. I am so convinced from
my own repeated and daily experience, that the most deadly plague
is as easy to be avoided BY STRICTLY ADHERING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF
AVOIDING PERSONAL CONTACT AND INHALATION, AND THE CONTACT OF
INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES, that I would ride or walk through the most
190 populous and deeply-in