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Here began the vexations of Don Ferrante. So long as he laughed

at the contagion, he found respectful and attentive listeners;

but when he came to distinguish and demonstrate that the error of

the doctors was, not in affirming that there existed a general

and terrible disease, but rather in assigning its cause, then he

found them intractable and rebellious, then he no longer dared

expose his doctrine, but by shreds and patches.