September 1784

The Governour of the House of Correction at Clerkenwell
having laid before the Court a number of Printed papers of
which the following are Copies vizt.

"Sir

Letter from Wm.
Shipley< no role > Esqr . re-
lative to an infec-
-tious fever in the
Goal at Maidstone
in Kent

"The County Goal at Maidstone being much
crowded with Prisoners, an infectious fever broke out among
them, which increased to a great degree and carried off many
As an alarm became general lest the distemper might spread;
a philosophical Society of Gentlemen turned their thoughts to
such remedies as might be adequate to the mischief. The means
which were in consequence adopted with most apparent effect
are those which are hereunto annexed. Presuming they may be
equally beneficial in other places the Society have resolved to
Submit the following to your observation, and should any better
methods have occurred to you, would be obliged by an account
of them directed to

"William Shipley< no role > Esqr .
"Maidstone , Kent

"To purify close infected places as Goals Hospitals
Etc communicated to the Committee appointed to
Superintend the Goal by

T. Day Surgeon
Maidstone January 25th. 1784

preventative [..]

"Take of Rue, Wormwood, Sage, Lavender, Mint, and
Rosemary each an hand ful put them altogether into a Gallon of
the best Vinegar, and let it boil, and while boiling, let it be thrown to
all parts of the Room (viz boiling, Walls Etc) by a Garden Engine
that has a Fan or Rose that will divide the Liquor into very small
Streams. After which the Room is to be well dried with a Brazier
while the Window next the external Air is open and all the
interior openings stopt; then a little Camphire may be carried
in the Room burning in a Fire Shovel"

N.B.

If the room has the advantage of a Fire place the Ingredients may be
boiled there and suffered to continue boiling sometime, while the Steam
is conveyed into the room.