The Plague of Athens, from History of the Peloponnesian War

1 In the begining of summer, Pelloposes
sians, as they had formerly done, went
in two disvisions, to Attica, led Archidamus
King Lacedaemon, and enchamping, they
serveyed the country. They had not been
there long before a dreadful decease
invaded the Athenians, such as had,
it is said, appeared in p many parts of
the country; even about Lemnos and
an its course. -----------

2 It first originated it is said from
Ethiopia beyond Egypt, afterwards decen
ded into Egypt and Lybia; and attacted
great part of the domminion of the King.
On the City of Athens, it has fallen
n very sudenly --------------------

Let every physian, and private tell,
as each one is able knows, concernining this
plague; - From what cause did it proba
ble arise, - what causes, does he think to be
sufficient for such an over [throw]
and what power to produce such
a chang. But I will w tell wah what
I am able, and, having been afflicted
with it myself, and having seen others
suffering, I will declare those things, of
which any person taking hid to, (if ever
this plague should come again) he may have something previously known,
that he may not be ignorent of
it.

3 For indeed this year, as is thought was of
all years very healthy for other
desceases; and if any one previously
had been desceased, it seemed all to
turn to this. But other men, without
warning, but suddenly, while they
were well, an inflamation in the
head seazed, with flame burning
in the sockets of their eyes. And within
the throat and the tongue became red
blooded, and immitted and unpleasant
and sickly breath. Afterwards, from
these were generated irritation and
hoarness. And in a short time the disor
der went into the breast, whence proceeded
a heard cough. And whenever it was
needful introduce any medicine
into the stomach, it would turn the
stomach, and an account of the naucea, the
purges, even all that had been pres
cribed by physicians, were it immitted,
and these were attended with great mis
sery. Hicough fell on the most of
them, accompanied with spasm. It
left some indeed soon, but o with others
it continued a long time.

Their body, when touched outwardly,
was not very hot, neither was it pale; but
it was redish and somewhat purple;
covered with blains and ulcers,. But it
so burnt withing, as not to endure
the application of the softest and finest
garment; nor indeed of any thing
else, except nakedness. And to throw
themselves into cold water was very
pleasant. And many of the men that
were neglected did this; runing into
wells, exercize with continual thirst.
And it was equaly the same with them,
whither they drank munch of or
little. also restlessness and wakefulness
attended them all; How long soever
the decease raged, the body did not grow
[lean] weaken, but maintained its strenght
through its suffering beyond expres
sion; So that many that died on the
ninth or seventh day, from the
inward burning, seem yet to have
something of strength. Or, if they re
covered, the descease falling into their
bowels, powerful ulcers settling their re,
and a diaree heavyly attending them;
many afterward have died thro' weak
ness. And whosoever passed through the severest of the descease, (for this
evill having first began upward
in the head, ran thro' the whole body),
yet the effect on his extremities,
showed that he had been deseased.
For it struck upon ----, and on their
fingers, and toes. And many being
deprived of these yet survived;
and some deprived even of their
sight. Others that had recovered, and
seem the same as to all their limbs,
lost their memery; so that they knew
not what they formerly were,
neither did they know their friends.
For this desease was beyond what can
be discribed, and other things happened
to every one worse than human na
ture can endure, and in this it was
manifest, that this plague was otherwise
than like any thing of which they
had been acquanted. For birds and
quadruped of every kind accostom
to devour the flesh of men that had
died; either did not come near, or
approaching and having tasted perishd.
The dogs had a sence of the passing
event, thro' their familiarity with men;
but it is wonderful, that the hives should be
wanting, and should not be seen here, or elswere