sick or dead.
             This constant surveillance is based on a system of "permanent registration" and reports that are passed on from the syndics to the intendants to the magistrates. At the beginning of the quarantine the name, age and sex of each individual is recorded. Every observation made-deaths, illnesses, complaints, irregularities-is recorded on these documents and reported to the entire hierarchy. The magistrates have complete control over the medical treatment of the townspeople. They select one physician whom they trust to treat the patients. No one else is permitted to visit a sick person without a written note to prevent concealing and dealing with the sick without the knowledge of the magistrates. The registration is constantly centralized with the relation of each individual to his illness and death being passed through the same hierarchy of power, which makes every decision based on it.
             A few days after the beginning of the quarantine the purifying process begins. One house at a time, all the inhabitants evacuate the house for this process.
             The furniture and goods are raised from the ground or suspended from the air; perfume is poured around the room; after carefully sealing the windows, doors, and even the keyholes with wax the perfume is set alight. Finally the entire house is closed while the perfume is consumed...Four hours later, the residents are allowed to reenter their homes. (316)
             This "enclosed segmented space" is a disciplinary mechanism. The entire area is under strict surveillance. Each individual has his designated place "in which the slightest movements are supervised" and "all events are recorded." Power is exercised according to a hierarchical figure, in which each individual is constantly located,
             ...