Besides the preface[5], and some other matters noticed in their respective places, the following topics of discussion have been omitted; viz.
1st. the comparison between the plague and the smallpox;
2d. the reflexions on the inoculation of the plague;
3d. the precautions to be employed in wars with the Turks; and
4th. the precautions continually necessary in places exposed to the pestilential contagion.
These topics have been omitted, because with regard to the first, as the smallpox and the plague agree in no other respect but in that of being propagated by contagion, a comparison between them seems to be quite unnecessary; because, as to the second, the inoculation of the plague is proved to be useless by the well-established fact, that the same person is susceptible of taking it several times[6]; and because with regard to the third and fourth points, they only lead to repetitions of general and particular precautions mentioned in other parts of the pamphlet, or suggest hints which do not apply to an insular situation like ours.
Next to a detail of all the events which took place during the raging of the plague at Moscow, the translator has especially aimed at a full and accurate delineation of the symptoms. In doing this, he has taken the pains to compare the description given by Dr. Mertens, with those of two other writers on the same subject; viz. Orræus and Samoïlowitz. Thus he flatters himself that all the different types and modifications which the plague assumes in the Northern parts of Europe, are here developed in such a manner, as to enable those who have never seen the disorder, to detect it on its first appearance, or in its early progress, should this country have the misfortune to be visited by it again.
January 2, 1799.