I need not say how much it has been thought right, in most or all eruptive complaints, especially in the small-pox, to forward, by every gentle means, the efforts of nature in producing an eruption; and on the contrary, how dangerous to check it, either by cold air, cold drink, or any considerable evacuations; or that the use of warm diluents, therefore, and the lying in bed, especially if the fever and symptoms run high, or at least confining to the house, have been generally approved and recommended for the purpose. But when a practice so foreign to this, and almost totally different, is inculcated, it is no wonder if men’s minds are alarmed, and those evils expected that were supposed to be the unavoidable consequences of it. Experience, however, and instances of so many thousands succeeding by this method, without any considerable bad effects from it, either immediate or remote, are irresistible arguments for its support and justification, and the best proof of its utility and safety. I have said, without any considerable bad effects; for in reality I have seen none that deserve that name, if compared with what sometimes follow the natural small-pox, or frequently happen after the old method of inoculation. Every one who has had any share in this practice according to the common or old methods, will allow, that after passing through the disease in a very favourable manner, their patients (children especially) were frequently liable to abscesses in the axilla and other parts, tedious ophthalmies, and troublesome ulcerations in the place of insertion; which though they could not be foreseen or prevented, yet frequently gave more pain and vexation to the patients, and trouble to the operator, than the disease itself had done: whereas on inquiry into the fate of those who have been treated in the cool way, or this new method, I can say, that in more than 1500 there has been only one who has had so much as a boil in the axilla; and that was in a child who had an issue in the same arm, and which was at that time dried up: and I have only seen two very small superficial boils in others near the place of insertion; and these seemed rather to be occasioned by an irritation from the discharge, than from any other cause, and were all soon healed with very little trouble. In a few instances also there has been a slough in the incised part, which has made a sore of short duration; but not one instance of an ulcer of any continuance. Such little breakings out too, and scabs, as are frequently known to succeed the mild natural small-pox, sometimes, though rarely, happen to those inoculated this way; and as they are of the same little consequence, are generally cured by the same method of a few gentle purges.