Scrutinium Physico-Medicum Contagiosae Luis quae Pestis Dicitur

CHAPTER II.

On the Etymology and definition of the Plague.

I do not linger in describing the etymology of the plague, where the effects are nowhere and to no one unknown; for whether it is said to be derived from perimere (to destroy), because it attacks mortals suddenly like a javelin; or from pascere (to feed), because, like a venomous beast devouring entire cities and utterly overturning kingdoms, it preys upon them in the manner of a wolf; or whether it is said to be so named from some other source, it matters little, since it is incumbent upon us primarily to demonstrate what it properly is, what that aerial dragon is which infests all things with its lethal poison, and where its origins have their birth.

Therefore, omitting various less-than-sufficient definitions, that an exact (as far as possible) and precise definition of the plague may be given: it must first be noted, as far as the present matter is concerned, that a triple genus of disease can be assigned by physicians; the first of which may be called sporadic, the second epidemic, the third loimic (pestilential), according to Hippocrates and Galen. A sporadic disease, or what is called scattered, [occurs] whenever diverse types of diseases wander through one or more regions, whether they be without danger of death, or accelerating death, such as ophthalmias, dysenteries, various fevers, smallpox, and similar diseases, which sometimes [arise] either from an abun-

A triple genus of disease.