A reader of the _Inquiry_ in 1798 could never have supposed that it was an attempt to displace the existing practice of Inoculation. Nor is there any sign that Jenner at the time contemplated such an issue. He referred to Variolous Inoculation with respect, and was satisfied to suggest that in certain cases inoculation with Horsegrease Cowpox might be substituted with advantage. As to the permanent existence of Horsegrease Cowpox he was doubtful. Since, he said, the farmers had traced the infection to the Horse, “the appearance of the Cowpox may either be entirely extinguished or become extremely rare.” It may be replied that this behaviour on the part of Jenner was due to reserve and tact, but the reserve and tact are invisible. The _Inquiry_ was simply what it appears--a hasty performance, which, in other hands, developed to more, far more, than its author contemplated. Subsequently he, and his friends for him, laid claim to years of research under the influence of supernatural foresight; but, with the _Inquiry_ before us, I ask where is the evidence? I take the date, 14th May, 1796, when Jenner inoculated Phipps from the hand of Sarah Nelmes, as the time when the project of inoculation with Horsegrease Cowpox began to assume form, and I maintain that the character, order and dates of the Cases set forth in the _Inquiry_ plainly show that they were got together to sustain the conclusion then arrived at. When Mr. John Simon descants on Jenner’s thirty years of incessant thought, watching and experimenting which resulted in the production of that Masterpiece of Medical Induction--_The Inquiry_, the answer is, Peruse the _Inquiry_, and then say where the fruit of thirty years of labour is to be found. The assertion is too absurd for discussion, whatever it may be as an article of faith. The single point of originality in the _Inquiry_ was the definition of the disease for which prophylactic efficacy was asserted. The dairymaids said Cowpox: the farriers said Horsegrease. Jenner said neither Cowpox nor Horsegrease, but their combination in Horsegrease Cowpox, which variety of Pox alone ensured life-long security from Smallpox. We shall see as we proceed how this position was surrendered and resumed, modified and confused beyond recognition. Let it suffice at present to say that the note of Jenner’s _Inquiry_ was HORSEGREASE COWPOX and nothing else. Strike out HORSEGREASE COWPOX, and the affair is reduced to nonentity. THE VARIOLOUS TEST. What was called the Variolous Test worked wonderfully for Jenner; and as we shall have to refer to it repeatedly, it may be well to describe and dispose of it at once.