A Treatise of Buggs

"A Treatise of Buggs" by John Southall is an early 18th-century exploration into the world of bedbugs, chronicling their emergence in England, their breeding habits, and methods to get rid of them. Southall mixes personal tales with scientific investigation, explaining how he went from being troubled by bugs to discovering a powerful liquid to kill them. He tells of his time in Jamaica, where he learned from a local how to eradicate the pests for good. The book not only clarifies the biology and reproduction of bedbugs but also challenges popular myths about them. It ends with helpful tips for readers on how to spot, control, and successfully wipe out bug problems in their homes, especially in winter when these efforts work best.