Page:Omniana 2.djvu/72

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62
OMNIANA.

are dying; and these visitors so seldom die of the plague that they make a miracle of it. "The only precaution they take, (says Antes, p. 47,) is to drink a great quantity of brandy, as much, and often more than they well can bear without dishonouring their profession. A Venetian Doctor, long resident at Cairo, never performed quarantine, and even visited people who were sick of the plague, but never caught it himself. His antidote was likewise to take so much brandy, that he was seldom free from its effects. Perhaps the increase of perspiration occasioned by the use of the liquor might be the cause. It seems that brandy supplies in this case, what a great degree of heat would naturally do. A timorous person, who is in constant fear and apprehension, will be much more liable to have it. It is well known that fear acts the contrary way, and will prevent or obstruct perspiration."