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216

OF THE SMALL-POX.

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remained on six or.seven days, till it was rubbed off byaccident. At the usual time the small-pox made theirappearance, and were exceedingly favourable. Surelythis, which is all that is generally necessary, may bedone without any skill in medicine.

We have been the more full on this subject, becausethe benefits of inoculation cannot be extended to societyby any other means than making the practice general.While it is confined to a few, it must prove hurtful tothe whole. By means of it the contagion is spread, andis communicated to many who might otherwise neverhave had the disease. Accordingly it is found thatnearly the same number die of the small-pox now asbefore inoculation was introduced; and this importantdiscovery, by which alone more lives might be savedthan by all the endeavours of the faculty, is in a greatmeasure lost by its benefits not being extended to thewhole community.*

The spring and autumn have been usually reckonedthe most proper seasons for inoculation, on account ofthe weather being then most temperate; but it oughtto be considered that these are generally the most un-healthy seasons of the whole year. Undoubtedly thebest preparation for the disease is a previous good stateof health. I have always observed that children, inparticular, are more sickly toward the end of springand autumn than at any other time of the year. On thisaccount, as well as for the advantage of cool air, I wouldpropose winter as the most proper season for inocula-tion; though, on every other consideration, the springwould seem to be preferable.

The most proper age for inoculation is, between threeand five. Many approve of inoculating on the breast,and, where no circumstances forbid this practice, I haveno objection to it. Children, however, are more liableto convulsions at this time than afterwards; besides, theanxiety of the mother or nurse, should the child be in

* By a well-laid plau for extending inoculation, more lives mightbe saved at a small expence than are at present preserved by all thehospitaU iu England, which cost the public such an amazing sum.

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