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A Dissertation

plain, that at Constantinople this Disease is not so virulent and destructive as it is usually in this Country, and as it lately was in a neighbouring Kingdom: For in these Parts it often cuts off in a Summer vast Numbers more than it does in Turkey; and I am informed by those who have resided many Years in Constantinople, that the Plague there is not attended with those Tokens of Putrefaction and Malignancy, I mean, Carbuncles, Tumours, blue Spots and Blanes, which are the Symptoms that accompany this Distemper here; and therefore, though it happens often in Turkey, yet it does not make such Havock and Devaluation among their People as it does among ours. It is observed, when a raging Plague of the most virulent Nature has by Degrees spent its Fury, it grows less destructive, and Multitudes more escape now than before: And at this Time, when the Plague is weakened, it throws it self out in Boils or inflammatory Tumours, which Nature, assisted by the Surgeon’s Art, often ripens, and brings to Suppuration, and this seasonable Discharge frequently delivers the Patient, and sets him out of Danger: Now suppose a small Portion of this ripe Matter should be inoculated on a sound Person; is there not the same Reason to expect that this Inoculation should produce a moderate Plague, that is, one of less Malignancy and Danger, whereby vast Numbers may escape in populous Towns

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