OF THE SMALLPOX.

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circumstances, all did well. Common mechanics have often, to myknowledge, performed the operation, with as good success as physi-cians. We do not, however, mean to discourage those who have itin their power from employing people of skill to inoculate their chil-dren, and attend them when under the disease; but only to sliew,that where such cannot be had, the operation ought not upon ti ataccount to be neglected.

Instead of multiplying arguments to recommend this practice, 1shall just beg leave to mention the method which I took with my ownson, then an only child. After giving him two gentle purges, I or-dered the nurse to take a bit of thread which had been previously wetwith fresh matter from a pock, and to lay it upon his arm, coveringit with a piece of sticking plaster. This remained on sk or sevendays, till it was rubbed off by accident. At the usual time thesmall-pox made their appearance, and were exceedingly favourable.Surely this, which is all that is generally necessary, may be donewithout any skill in medicine.

We have been the more full on this subject, because the benefitsof inoculation cannot be extended to society by any other meansthan making the practice general. While it is confined to a few, itmust prove hurtful to the whole. By means of it the contagion isspread, and is communicated to many who might otherwise neverhave had the disease. Accordingly it is found that nearly the samenumber die of the small-pox now as before inoculation was intro-duced ; and this important discovery, by which alone more livesmight be saved than by all the endeavours of the faculty, is in a greatmeasure lost by its benefits not being extended to the whole commu-nity. Yet by a well-concerted plan for extending vaccine inocula(ion, more lives might be saved at a small expence, than are at pre-sent preserved by all the hospitals in England, which cost the publicsuch an amazing sum.

The spring and autumn have been usually reckoned the most pro-per seasons for inoculation, on account of the weather being thenmost temperate; but it ought to be considered that these are gene-rally the most unhealthy seasons of the whole year. Undoubtedlythe best preparation for the disease is a previous good state of health.I have always observed that children in particular are more sicklytowards the end of spring and autumn than at any other time of theyear. On this account, as well as for the advantage of cool air, Iwould propose winter as the most proper season for inoculation;though, on every other consideration, the spring would seem to bepreferable.

The most proper age for inoculation is between three and five.

Many approve of inoculation on the breast, and where no circum-

tances forbid this practice, I have no objection to it; for when the

fibres begin to grow rigid, and children make use of grosser food.

the small-pox become more dangerous.

Children who have constitutional diseases must nevertheless be in-oculated. It will often mend the habit of body; but ought to be

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