The Present Method of Inoculating for the Small-Pox: To which are added, some experiments, instituted with a view to discover the effects of a similar treatment in the natural small-poxDimsdale, Thomas
History
The Present Method of Inoculating for the Small-Pox: To which are added, some experiments, instituted with a view to discover the effects of a similar treatment in the natural small-pox
Dimsdale, Thomas
Smallpox -- Vaccination -- Early works to 1800
He slept very little this night; but on the 14th I found him free from
fever, and pretty well in all respects, except the pain in his legs;
on which, and under the hams, a great number of distinct, but almost
coherent pustules appeared. There were several also in the neck and
face, but very few on the body or arms. He had all along been advised
not to stir much, but had taken greater liberties of walking about than
I had allowed.
15th. He had not slept a minute during the night. I found him up and
walking about the house, complaining much of pain, but saying that in
other respects he was well; but he was now rather cool than warm, his
pulse very low, his aspect languid, the colour of the face inclined to
livid and pale, and he complained of faintness and sickness. I could
not avoid being alarmed. The legs also were swelled considerably, but
not inflamed. I therefore ordered him instantly to bed; and as the
tension was great, applied a cataplasm of bread and milk (being what
was nearest at hand) all over each leg, and directed the following
medicine to be taken as soon as possible.
℞ Mithrid. Ʒss. Decoct. Cort. Peruv. ℥ij. Tinct. Cort. Peruv.
simpl. Ʒij. M. f. haust. quam primum sumend. & sexta quaque hora
repetendus.
℞ Sal. Absinth. Ʒj. succ. Limon. ℥jss. Decoct. Cort. Per. ℥vi.
Tinct. Cort. Per. simpl. ℥jss. Syr. é Cort. Aur. ℥ss. M. f.
mixtura, cujus capiat Coch. iv. horis intermediis.
In the evening his pulse was raised, he was easier, and rested about an
hour.
16th. In the morning, after he had rested some hours in the night, he
was easier, warmer, and the pulse better.
17th. After a good night he found himself free from complaints, and
from this time every circumstance went on favourably; the pocks
maturated on the 7th day; his legs however were both considerably
ulcerated for a fortnight after, but then soon healed. He remains at
present in good health, and feels less uneasiness from his legs than he
did before the inoculation.
CASE XXI.
A middle-aged woman was inoculated, May 15, 1765. She began to complain
on the 23d; the fever and other symptoms were very moderate. On the
26th an eruption, distinct in kind, small in number, shewed itself; all
the eruptive symptoms ceased, and she seemed perfectly well.
On the 29th she complained that her throat was sore, felt stiff, and
swelled; but as this is not unusual, little regard was paid to it.
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