As the small-pox is now become an epidemical disease in most parts of the known world, no other choice remains but to render the malady as mild as possible. This is the only manner of extirpation now left in our power; and though it may seem paradoxical, the artificial method of communicating the disease, could it be rendered universal, would amount to nearly the same thing as rooting it out. It is a matter of small consequence, whether a disease be entirely extirpated, or rendered so mild as neither to destroy life nor hurt the constitution; but that this may be done by inoculation, does not now admit of a doubt. The numbers who die under inoculation hardly deserve to be named. In the natural way, one in four or five generally dies; but by inoculation not one of a thousand. Nay, some can boast of having inoculated ten thousand without the loss of a single patient. I have often wished to see some plan established for rendering this salutary practice universal; but am afraid I shall never be so happy. The difficulties indeed are many; yet the thing is by no means impracticable. The aim is great; no less than saving the lives of one-fourth part of mankind. What ought not to be attempted in order to accomplish so desirable an end? The first step towards rendering the practice universal, must be to remove the religious prejudices against it. This, as already observed, can only be done by the clergy. They must not only recommend it as a duty to others, but likewise practise it on their own children. Example will ever have more influence than precept. The next thing requisite is to put it in the power of all. For this purpose we would recommend it to the Faculty to inoculate the children of the poor _gratis_. It is hard that so useful a part of mankind should by their poverty be excluded from such a benefit. Should this fail, it is surely in the power of any State to render the practice general, at least as far as their dominion extends. We do not mean that it ought to be enforced by a law. The best way to promote it would be to employ a sufficient number of operators at the public expence to inoculate the children of the poor. This would only be necessary till the practice became general; afterwards custom, the strongest of all laws, would oblige every individual to inoculate his children to prevent reflections. It may be objected to this scheme, that the poor would refuse to employ the inoculators: this difficulty is easily removed. A small premium to enable mothers to attend their children while under the disease, would be a sufficient inducement; besides, the success attending the operation would soon banish all objections to it. Even considerations of profit would induce the poor to embrace this plan. They often bring up their children to the age of ten or twelve, and when they come to be useful, they are snatched away by this malady, to the great loss of their parents, and detriment of the public.