To the Prisoners in Maidstone Gaol.

It is well known that when a Number of Men are con-
fined in close Places, that their breathing Air so confined,
renders it unfit to support Life; and that they frequently die
very suddenly; which alarming Circumstance, ought to Caution
those deprived of their Liberty, to use such methods as are known
to purify the Air. And as it is the indispensible Duty of every
Man to prolong that Life which is given him, as a State of Trial,
on which will depend his [..] ern Happiness, or Misery;
it is hoped no rational Man will neglect to make use of these ef-
fectual Methods which are here offered him.

As Line-Water is well known to purify Air, that has been ren-
der noxious by being too often breathed in, the shower Ma-
chine, by letting it fall as Rain, purifies what Air it comes in con-
tact with, of one bad Quality it has acquired from its being too
frequently breathed; and another Quality that has been given to
it, from the Pestilential Disease now prevalent in the Goal, will be
corrected from Showers of Vinegar impregnated with antisceptic
Herbs falling through it, and letting in fresh Air.

Therefore it is earnestly recommended, that Lime-Water and
Vinegar so impregnated, be suffered alternately to fall as showers,
in all Parts of each Room, Passage, Etc. that this Machine can be
wheeled to; and over each Bed, and such Parts as it cannot reach,
it is advised, that a Man force away by the Fan, the Air of such
Places towards the Purifier, to make Room for that which has al-
ready been corrected.

To purify uninhabited Rooms.

Boiling Vinegar, impregnated with the Herbs above-mentioned, is
to be thrown to all Parts of the Rooms, (viz, Cieling, Walls Etc.) by
the Engine, while the Door and every other opening next the Pas-
sage or other Part of the Goal, is close stopped; and the Window, and
every opening next the external Air is open. Afterwards, boiling
Lime-Water is to be thrown in the same Manner, and the Walls,
Floor, Etc. Scoured and Scraped. Then the Room to be well dried
with a Brazier, while the Window, Etc. next the external Air is
kept open and all others shut; after which, a little Camphire is
to be carried about in the Room, burning, in a Fire-shovel.

It is by express Desire of the Committee appointed to superintend the Goal,
that the above be religiously put in force, and that every Man, before he enters
a clean Ward, be well washed with warm Soap-fuds, and have clean Clothes
and Bedding.

N.B. It is desired one of these be posted in each Ward of the Prison.

January 28th. 1784.