mitchell-P044_A-4_6

1 In the begining of summer, Pelloposessians, as they had formerly done, went in two disvisions, to Attica, led Archidamus King Lacedaemon, and enchamping, they serveyed the country. They had not been there long before a dreadful decease invaded the Athenians, such as had, it is said, appeared in p many parts of the country; even about Lemnos and an its course. -----------

2 It first originated it is said from Ethiopia beyond Egypt, afterwards decended into Egypt and Lybia; and attacted great part of the domminion of the King. On the City of Athens, it has fallen n very sudenly --------------------

Let every physian, and private tell, as each one is able knows, concernining this plague; - From what cause did it probable arise, - what causes, does he think to be sufficient for such an over [throw] and what power to produce such a chang. But I will w tell wah what I am able, and, having been afflicted with it myself, and having seen others suffering, I will declare those things, of which any person taking hid to, (if ever this plague should come again) he may

have something previously known, that he may not be ignorent of it.

3 For indeed this year, as is thought was of all years very healthy for other desceases; and if any one previously had been desceased, it seemed all to turn to this. But other men, without warning, but suddenly, while they were well, an inflamation in the head seazed, with flame burning in the sockets of their eyes. And within the throat and the tongue became red blooded, and immitted and unpleasant and sickly breath. Afterwards, from these were generated irritation and hoarness. And in a short time the disorder went into the breast, whence proceeded a heard cough. And whenever it was needful introduce any medicine into the stomach, it would turn the stomach, and an account of the naucea, the purges, even all that had been prescribed by physicians, were it immitted, and these were attended with great missery. Hicough fell on the most of them, accompanied with spasm. It left some indeed soon, but o with others it continued a long time.

Their body, when touched outwardly, was not very hot, neither was it pale; but it was redish and somewhat purple; covered with blains and ulcers,. But it so burnt withing, as not to endure the application of the softest and finest garment; nor indeed of any thing else, except nakedness. And to throw themselves into cold water was very pleasant. And many of the men that were neglected did this; runing into wells, exercize with continual thirst. And it was equaly the same with them, whither they drank munch of or little. also restlessness and wakefulness attended them all; How long soever the decease raged, the body did not grow [lean] weaken, but maintained its strenght through its suffering beyond expression; So that many that died on the ninth or seventh day, from the inward burning, seem yet to have something of strength. Or, if they recovered, the descease falling into their bowels, powerful ulcers settling theirre, and a diaree heavyly attending them; many afterward have died thro' weakness. And whosoever passed through

the severest of the descease, (for this evill having first began upward in the head, ran thro' the whole body), yet the effect on his extremities, showed that he had been deseased. For it struck upon ----, and on their fingers, and toes. And many being deprived of these yet survived; and some deprived even of their sight. Others that had recovered, and seem the same as to all their limbs, lost their memery; so that they knew not what they formerly were, neither did they know their friends. For this desease was beyond what can be discribed, and other things happened to every one worse than human nature can endure, and in this it was manifest, that this plague was otherwise than like any thing of which they had been acquanted. For birds and quadruped of every kind accostom to devour the flesh of men that had died; either did not come near, or approaching and having tasted perishd. The dogs had a sence of the passing event, thro' their familiarity with men; but it is wonderful, that the hives should be wanting, and should not be seen here, or elswere