180 THE PLAGUE.

and uniform that they resemble the sea, and are so similar in appearance after, as well as before sun-rise, that if the eye could abstract itself from the spot immediately surrounding the spectator, it could not be ascertained whether it were sea or land.

1 shall now subjoin a few cases for the further elucidation of this distemper, hoping that the medical reader will pardon any inaccuracy originating from my not being a professional man.

Case I. — One afternoon, I went into the kitchen, and saw the cook making the bread ; he appeared in good health and spirits; I afterwards went into the adjoining parloiu', and took up a book to read ; in half an hour the same man came to the door of the room, witli his eyes starting from his head, and his bed-clothes, &c.

in his hands, saying, *' open the gate for me, for I am (m'dorb) smitten.*' I was astonished at the sudden transition, and desired him to go out, and I would follow and shut the gate. The next morning he sent his wife out on an errand, and got out of bed, and came to the gate halfdressed, saying that he was quite recovered, and desired I would let liim in. I did not, however, think it safe to admit him, but told him to go back to his house for a few days, until he should be able to ascertain that he was quite well ; he accordingly returned to his apartments, but expired that evening, and before day-break his* body was in such a state, that his feet were actually putrified. His wife, by attending on him.