第917页 / 共1118页

The commissioners passed through the territories of Lecco, the

borders of the lake of Como, the districts of Monte-Brianza, and

Gera-d'Adda, and found the villages every where in a state of

barricade, or deserted, and the inhabitants flying, or encamped

in the middle of the fields, or dispersed abroad throughout the

country; "like so many wild creatures," says Doctor Tadino, one

of the envoys, "they were carrying about them some imaginary

safeguard against the dreaded disease, such as sprigs of mint,

rue, or rosemary, and even vinegar." Informing themselves of the

number of deaths, the commissioners became alarmed, and visiting

the sick and the dead, recognised the terrible and infallible

evidences of the plague!

Upon this information, orders were given to close the gates of

Milan.