"Upon the whole, it appears evident to me that the cow-pox is a
pleasanter, shorter, and infinitely more safe disease than the
inoculated smallpox when conducted in the most careful and
approved manner; neither is the local affection of the inoculated
part, or the constitutional illness, near so violent. I speak
with confidence on the subject, having had an opportunity of
observing its effects upon a variety of constitutions, from three
months old to sixty years; and to which I have paid particular
attention. In the cases alluded to here you will observe that the
removal from the original source of the matter had made no
alteration or change in the nature or appearance of the disease,
and that it may be continued, ad infinitum (I imagine), from one
person to another (if care be observed in taking the matter at a
proper period) without any necessity of recurring to the original
matter of the cow.
"I should be happy if any endeavours of mine could tend further
to elucidate the subject, and shall be much gratified is sending
you any further observations I may be enabled to make.
"I have the pleasure to subscribe myself,
"Dear sir, etc.,
"JOSEPH H. MARSHALL
"EASTINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, April 26, 1799."
The gentleman who favoured me with the above account has
continued to prosecute his inquiries with unremitting industry,
and has communicated the result in another letter, which at his
request I lay before the public without abbreviation.
Dr. Marshall's second letter:
"DEAR SIR:
"Since the date of my former letter I have continued to inoculate
with the cow-pox virus. Including the cases before enumerated,
the number now amounts to four hundred and twenty-three. It would
be tedious and useless to detail the progress of the disease in
each individual--it is sufficient to observe that I noticed no
deviation in any respect from the cases I formerly adduced. The
general appearances of the arm exactly corresponded with the
account given in your first publication. When they were disposed
to become troublesome by erysipelatous inflammation, an
application of equal parts of vinegar and water always answered
the desired intention. I must not omit to inform you that when
the disease had duly acted upon the constitution I have
frequently used the vitriolic acid. A portion of a drop applied
with the head of a probe or any convenient utensil upon the
pustule, suffered to remain about forty seconds, and afterwards
washed off with sponge and water, never failed to stop its
progress and expedite the formation of a scab.
"I have already subjected two hundred and eleven of my patients
to the action of variolous matter, but EVERY ONE RESISTED IT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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