An ORDER of the Lords, for the better direction of the Overseers appointed in the several Parishes of the City of Oxford, against the spreading of the Infection of the Plague.  
THe Infection of the Plague being much dispersed in several Parishes and Places within this City, To the end that all possible care may be taken to provide for the sick, and to keep, the sick from the whole, which by God's blessing may be a great means to stay the Infection, It is Ordered as an Addition to the former Order lately made by this board, that the Persons hereafter mentioned in the several Parishes to be the overseers for this important service, take special care in the several Parishes and Precincts commended to their charge.  
1 That when they shall understand that any Person is fallen sick in any house, that there be no resort thither by strangers, till it be discer●ed whether the sickness be infectious or not.  
2 That these Overseers use their best care, as soon as they understand who are fallen sick, to inform themselves what the nature of the disease is, and the Symptoms thereof, and then give farther directions.  
3 That as soon as any house is infected, or probably suspected to be infected, that it be shut up, and the persons in the House commanded ●o keep in the House, till farther order given for opening the house again.  
4 That a Watchman be set at the foredoor of the House, both to keep in the persons within the house, and also to fetch them such necessaries as they want, to be delivered to them so discreetly and warily as may not endanger themselves, or those to whom they shall resort.  
5 That when the House shall be known to be infected with the Plague, forthwith a red-cross be set on the outward door of the House with an inscription in capital Letters, with these words, LORD HAVE MERCY UPON US, and this cross, and the Inscription be taken off again when the house is appointed to be opened, and not before.  
6 That the watchmen appointed take an Oath for their faithful performance of that service.  
7 That every such watchman, when he sitteth or goeth in the streets, carry a white stick in his hand, that so others may be admonished ●ot to press too near into his Company.  
8 That if there be a backdoor or gate to the house shut up, that that backdoor be fast shut, that no passage be that way, and also a Pad●ocke hanged upon the foredoor, whereof the Watchman to keep the key.  
9 That these overseers appoint searchers and tenders for the sick persons, and bearers and buriers when any shall die; and give oaths to them also, to observe their several employments faithfully.  
10 If any appointed to any of those places or services, being fit for the same, shall refuse to undertake the employment, or neglect it when it is once undertaken, or deal unfaithfully therein, they must know, that they shall be proceeded against with all strictness and severity, according to the quality of their faults.  
11 That all burials of Persons dying of the Plague be in the night time, after ten of the clock at the soonest, and without concourse of People, and that the Corpse be laid at least four foot deep under the ground, and be bestowed in such burying places, as to that purpose shall be appointed.  
12 That the churchyards within the city be spared from these burials, they being for the most part small, and now very inconvenient to receive the bodies of these infected persons.  
13 That all Dogs and Cats in the town be forthwith sent away out of the town, or such as are found in the Streets, or Courts of the colleges, to be knocked on the head, and their carcases carried away and buried without the Works at a convenient distance.  
14 That if any colleges or Halls be infected or suspected, that the governors of those Houses give speedy notice thereof to the overseers of that Parish or Precinct within which such college or Hall lieth, and then those overseers by the advice and approbation of those governors of the colleges and Halls for the time being, send such Officers as shall be so thought fit to perform those Offices to the sick or infected persons which shall be fit and necessary.  
And in such cases so much to be shut up as the overseers, by the advice of the governor of that House, shall think fit.  

The Overseers names of the several Parishes, viz.  


For St Peter's in the East, & St bartholomew's.  
Alderman Sowtham.  
M. Whistler.  
John Hopkins.    


For St Maries&St Johnsparish.  
M. Humphrey Whistler.  
M. John Browne.  
M. Francis Bowman.    


St Giles  
Alderman Charles.  
M. Selwood.  
M. Surby.  
John White.    


Magdalen Parish  
M. Robert Cook.  
M. Nicholas Daniel.  
M. George Ladiman.    


Holliwell Parish  
M. Baily.  
M. Dickenson.  
M. Watson.    


All-Saints  
Alderman Sowtham.  
M. Thomas Dennis.  
M. Hen. Silvester.    


St Michael's  
M. Baily Daniel.  
M. Kerry.  
M. James Deane.    


St Petersin the Baily  
M. William Harris.  
M. George box.  
M. Johnson.  
John Warwick.    


Saint ebbs  
M. Chillingworth.  
Alford Raunce.  
M. Robert Nicholas.    


St Thomas Parish  
M. John Wright.  
M. William Good.  
Richard Miller.    


St Aldates's  
M. Carpenter.  
M. John Holloway.  
M. Langley.    


St Martin's  
Alderman Wright.  
M. Francis Harris.  
M. Chesterman.      

Printed at Oxford by Leonard Lichfield Printer to the University. 1644.