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
To these cases many others of a similar nature might be added. But by
several unforeseen delays, not in my power to prevent, I have been
obliged to trespass so much already on the patience of those who wished
to see some account of this practice, that I shall only mention a few,
which, by a partial or untrue relation, might possibly be construed to
the disadvantage of inoculation; though when the particular facts are
candidly exhibited, every just occasion of prejudice will undoubtedly
be removed.
During the autumn of the last year the chin-cough was epidemick at
Hertford; and as the winter approached, the small-pox also broke out in
many places; and almost every child, who before had the chin-cough,
and was seized with the natural small-pox, died of a confluent kind.
This calamity fell severely among the poor of this place, many of
whom earnestly entreated me to inoculate their families; but this was
scarcely possible, unless some necessary provision could be obtained
for them from the parishes to which they belonged; I therefore
acquainted the clergymen of the respective parishes, that if proper
care was taken that necessaries were not wanting, I would freely
inoculate and attend all such as I thought were proper subjects.
Both the gentlemen approved the design; but after a short consultation
with their parishioners, the affair was put off, the parish officers
alledging that they could not provide proper places.
That such a design had been in agitation soon became known, and a
number of poor people were continually soliciting me to inoculate them
and their children at all events, promising to provide for themselves
to the utmost of their power. Some had the disease already in their
families. It was so much in the neighbourhood of others, that they
were in daily fear of taking the infection, and their distress on this
occasion was great. Women with children at their breasts, in want of
all necessaries, yet solicitous for the safety of their offspring,
pressed me to inoculate them and their children with an importunity
not to be described. I acquainted them with the danger attending the
infant state; but reasons availing nothing, I yielded to inoculate all
who had not the chin-cough, or any other dangerous illness, though
against my opinion and inclination, almost against my determined
resolution. Amongst a very great number of such subjects of all ages
and constitutions, and where some might reasonably be presumed to have
taken the infection in the natural way, I expected some disagreeable
events would happen; but the probability of saving the lives of many
preponderated. The following however are the only cases that border on
the unfortunate; and the reader will, if skilful and candid, easily
place them to the right account.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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