188 THE PLAGUE.

which carried off more than two-thirds of the population of the empire.

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 ° internally, I should, myself, be disposed to doubt its efficacy unless M. Colao, the among the populous and numerous encampments of the Arabs, throughout the various provinces of the empire ; not to mention the incredible mortality in the castles, towns, and other walled habitations of the Shelluh province of Haha, the first province, travelling from the shores of the Mediterranean, where the people live in walled habitations, the seaports excepted.

** Mr. Cola90, having lately observed that oil was used externally to anoint the body, as a preservative against the plague ; conceived the idea of administering this simple remedy internally to persons already infected ; numerous experiments were made by this gentleman, who administered from four to eight oz. olive oil at a dose ; and out of SCO individuals already infected, who resorted to this remedy, only twelve died.