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Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_185

to feed and to prop up families in distress. Theattention and labour are indeed excessive; and thereward to the numerous benevolent individuals*On this interesting occasion, the public were under infinite obligations to the Society of Friends resident in London; without their assistance and steady perseverance, we could not have accomplished the relief which was afforded. whocame forward on this occasion, was felt to be com-plete, since it produced the wished for effect. On other effects immediately connected with objectsof beneficence, I beg leave to refer you to Doctor Lettsom's recent work, which I also send you, by his particular desire, in which you will find much usefuland interesting information, calculated to improve the state of civil society, as it relates to the poor,and to analogous distempers, &;c. &;c. On the lastsubject, namely, analogous fevers, and particularlythe typhus or jail distemper, you will find somenew and interesting information, in a tract detailinga variety of successful experiments, which has beenpublished and circulated by the society for betteringthe condition of the poor, by which it appears emer-sion in water, or the shower bath, is a certain cure. Turning from this subject, to that which relates tothe preservation of morals, and the prevention ofcriminal offences, I must refer you to my observationson public houses, (of which I send you two copies,)and also my treatise, recently published, on the dutyof a constable. The first will furnish some usefulhints relative to regulations which, ere long, will befound necessary in America, (particularly in the largetowns,) with respect to dram shops, and the excessiveand unrestrained use of spirituous liquors, than which,when indulged in to excess, nothing can be morepernicious, both to the health and morals of thelabouring people. It is the chief source of the multi-plication of crimes, which afflict society in the cityof New-York;—to which I might add, those personswho are permitted, without control or inspection, to