THIS may perhaps seem too long; but as we don't know how much time precisely is necessary to purge the Interstices of spongy Substances from _infectious Matter_ by fresh Air, the Caution cannot be too great in this Point. Certainly the time here proposed, having been long established by general Custom, ought not in the least to be retrenched; unless there could be a way found out of trying when Bodies have ceased to emit the noxious Fumes. Possibly this might be discovered by putting tender _Animals_ near to them, particularly little _Birds_: because it has been observed in Times of the _Plague_, that the Country has been forsaken by the _Birds_; and those kept in Houses have many of them died[71]. Now if it should be found, that _Birds_ let loose among Goods at the beginning of their _Quarantaine_, are obnoxious to the _Contagion_ in them, it may be known, in good measure, when such Goods are become clean, by repeating the Trial till _Birds_ let fly among them receive no hurt. But the Use of this Expedient can be known only by Experience. In the mean time, I own I am fond of the _Thought_, in compassion to poor Labourers, who must expose their Lives to danger, in the attendance upon this Work: and tho' I am well aware that there are _Plagues_ among Animals, which do not indifferently affect all kinds of them, some being confined to a particular _Species_, (like the Disease of the _Black Cattle_ here, a few Years since, which neither proved infectious to other Brutes, nor to Men;) yet it has always been observed that the true _Plague_ among Men has been destructive to all Creatures of what kind soever.
A very remarkable Story, lately communicated to me by a Person of undoubted Credit, is too much to the purpose to be here omitted. The Fact is this. In the Year 1726, an English Ship took in Goods at _Grand Cairo_, in the time of the _Plague's_ raging there, and carried them to _Alexandria_. Upon opening one of the Bales of Wool in a Field, two _Turks_ employed in the Work were immediately killed: and some _Birds_, which happened to fly over the Place, dropp'd down dead.
HOWEVER, the Use of _Quarantaines_ is not wholly frustrated by our Ignorance of the exact time required for this Purification: since the _Quarantaine_ does at least serve as a Trial whether Goods are infected or not; it being hardly possible that every one of those, who are obliged to attend upon them, can escape hurt, if they are so. And whenever that happens, the Goods must be destroyed.