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I Have peruſed a Pamphlet entitled, Some Reaſons why the Practice of Inoculation ought to be introduced into the Town of Bury at Preſent, and have been ſurprized to find this elaborate Piece ſo little in Subſtance, and ſo little to the Purpoſe: Inſomuch that at the firſt, I determined only to point out, and expoſe the Miſtakes of it in Converſation, being under a full Perſwaſion and Conviction, that the Author would Triumph neither a Week nor a Day, but that the Project would very ſoon end in Confuſion. Being ſince reminded of a warm Reſolution made by me, to oppoſe any Efforts to revive a Practice ſo juſtly exploded and condemned by all rational Men, I have changed my Mind, and ſet Pen to Paper; but if a Promiſe to anſwer an Author before I knew the weight and Strength of his Arguments, may be by ſome thought Raſhneſs and Prejudice, I hope an Abhorrence I have of a Practice ſo cruel, unſafe, and uncertain to Mankind, an impartial Conſideration and full Acquaintance of what has been advanced pro and con, and a great Diffidence of the Author's Abilities to ſupport it, may to others clear me from the Imputation of Raſhneſs and Prepoſſeſſion.

THIS barbarous and dangerous Invention was about 10 Years paſt imported at London from Turkey; the Curioſity like many other foreign Monſters pleaſed at firſt, but ſoon after grew ungovernable by it's own Maſters, and when let looſe, made great Havock and Slaughter. But after all the Difficulties and Diſappointments, [4]it was endeavoured to be buoy'd up by able Hands which undertook to prove that this Turkiſh Method of Inoculation, might ſafely and ſecurely be practiſed in our Climate and upon our Conſtitutions, and that a Circaſſian Impiety of bringing Diſeaſes upon ourſelves was reconcileable to a Chriſtian Conſcience.

BUT in ſpight of all ſuch Aids, and Supports, it daily ſunk into diſuſe and contempt, and of late has ſcarce been mentioned amongſt Us, till our Author on a reliance of his mathematical Skill, and a thorough Acquaintance with the Doctrine of Chances, undertook to ſtrike a new Light, to open our Eyes, and by plain and eaſy Calculations, to evince the Reaſonableneſs and Security of it, even to a Demonſtration.

VAIN Deluſion! For if many have died in London, when the Inciſions were made by the moſt skillful Hands, and under the Care and Direction of the moſt Eminent Regular Phyſicians What (may we ſuppoſe) will be the Conſequence? What a Tragic Scene ſhall we have? when this Practice ſhall be brought into the Country, and committed to common Hands, Men of leſs Abilities and no Experience; but from hence it appears, Providence has given ſome Perſons Heads to contrive, and Hands to execute any thing that will ſerve their own Advantage.

BUT to proceed to my Undertaking of an Anſwer, which I ſhall do by giving my Opinion of the Tract in general, and then make ſome Remarks upon the Obſervations, Calculations, and Arguments in particular.

IN the general View I obſerve three Things.

1. A ſpecious Pretext of a tender Concern for the Detriment of all Trade, and perhaps loſs of Aſſizes, Seſſions, [5]Fairs, and other publick Meetings, which is a popular Argument to the Tradeſmen of the Town. But here I muſt obſerve, that this Practice was endeavoured to be introduced, when only a Perſon or two had the Small Pox when the variolous Matter was to be purchaſed at a dear Rate, and all the Tradeſmen were very active and vigilant, to prevent its ſpreading. However 'twas very neceſſary that this artful Addreſs to the Populace, ſhould appear glittering at the Top to engage their Attention, but unluckily Self-ſerving pops up in the Middle, and Self-regard lurks and skulks at the Bottom. But this is not the only Inſtance of his Fondneſs of being thought Somebody, for the Reader muſt be acquainted with his Converſation with Dr. Jurin at the Coffee-houſe, and his Correſpondence with Dr. Nettleton when he was at Newark.

2. HIS Submiſſion of the Buſineſs of his Paper to the Clergy is reſpectful, but deſigning, and perhaps the Gentlemen of that Order are very little oblig'd to him for his Compliment, for I am very much miſtaken if many of them are not able to give more Reaſons than are founded upon a Suppoſition that the Practice does not promote our Lives, Healths, and Happineſs, but in Caſuiſtry are convinced that the Practice is preſumptious and ſinful; but as to the Morality of it, ſhall refer him to thoſe Gentlemen he ſhall have the Honour to have farther Converſe with.

3. I OBSERVE his Arguments are old, ſtale, and borrow'd, and that he has choſe ſome Reaſons out of many, very injudiciouſly; for he has offer'd the Weakeſt and left the moſt Enfor [...]ing. Does this ill Choice proceed from want of Judgment? To preſume that, by his Friends would be interpreted a Weakneſs of my own; I will rather then imagine that he writes with great Cunning and Policy, and has been taught by ſome military Man a ſtratagem in War, viz. To place ſometimes the weakeſt of his Forces in the Front, and ſpare his braveſt [6]Men to do the moſt Execution, for which Reaſon, and under which Caution, I ſhall reſerve my Veterans till we come to a cloſer Engagement.

I NOW proceed to conſider his Obſervations, Calculations, and Arguments in particular.

ART. I.P. 3. If Inoculation was generally practiſed— we need not have it ſix Months.

IF this Limitation of the Small Pox to ſix Months be true it muſt be ſo, becauſe by an Elegancy of Stile, the Author can perſwade all the Timorous to undergo an Operation they think dangerous, and by his Caſ [...]iſtry can prevail upon the Scrupulous to enter upon an Action they believe Sinful, and can be ſecure upon Inoculation of producing any variolous Symptoms and Puſtules, and beſides all this has by his irrefragable Arguments, proved a general Inoculation an infallible Preſervative againſt the Diſtemper in a natural Way. Now if I could imagine this to be Fact, yet I would not dare to aſſert and fix ſo exact a Time as of ſix Months for its Continuance. But I am fully aſſured he has not removed the Apprehenſions of the Fearful, or ſatisfied the Doubts of the Conſcientious, nor even promiſed to produce the Diſtemper by Inoculation in every Caſe, nor given good Reaſons of ſecurity againſt the Small Pox in a natural Way after Inoculation; to ſay then we need not have it ſix Months, is downright Arrogance and Preſumption.

ART. II.P. 3. As the utmoſt Hazard of dying of the inoculated Small Pox appears by the laſt authentic Accounts, to be no more than that of 1 in 50, and by the ſame Accounts, that of dying of the Natural is ſhewn to be that of 1 in 6.
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IN this Article our Author appears a Man of as great Figures, as in the firſt of Eloquence, and thoſe Gentlemen and Townſmen that have not been perſwaded into a good Opinion of Inoculation by 12 Lines of unanimated Oratory, are to be over-powered by a Demonſtration of Numbers. Let us then ſuppoſe that there are 10,000 Perſons in Bury, and but 3 of theſe have any Confidence in the Practice, there will remain 9997 clearly unſatisfied in Inoculation upon this Suppoſition. But ſince this Article is wrote to perſwade the Wiſe, and deceive the Simple, and is the Baſis of all the reſt, I may be thought unſeaſonably Drolling, where I ſhould be ſeriouſly Arguing.

THE ſtrength and force of this Reaſon depends on the Truth of the Accounts, and what I have to ſay to their Authenticneſs will be this; the Computations from the Tables are arithmetically True and Juſt, but as many Facts have been partially epreſented, many material Circumſtances, which made againſt the Practice, were then ſuppreſſed; as the moving Declarations of the dying Patients, and as ſome Miſcarriages by Inoculation were never tranſmitted to the Calculator, all which I think can be made evident beyond Contradiction, in ſuch Caſe the Accounts are ſo far from deſerving an authentick Character, that they are mere Impoſitions. I ſay not this to aſperſe the Author of thoſe Accounts, for if I underſtand who is meant, I honour his Learning and Judgment, and have a great Opinion of his Integrity, and believe he uſed an honeſt Diligence to ſtate the Account right, but his Correſpondents a diſingenuous Induſtry to deceive him. And here I muſt obſerve, that worthy Gentleman promiſed that he would acquaint the Public with the Progreſs of this Practice from Year to Year, till it ſhould be firmly eſtabliſhed or juſtly exploded. But whether from a Diſcovery of the Suppreſſions on one ſide, or the Miſrepreſentations on the other, he ſound it impracticable to do it with impartiality; or from a general Diſcredit the Method of Inoculation ſoon fell into, he found it uſeleſs, I am not willing [8]to determine, but know of none he has publiſh'd for many Years paſt.

BUT for once I will ſuppoſe the Account authentic, and admit that every Fact was truly, exactly, and faithfully repreſented, and every individual Miſcarriage was tranſmitted to the Calculator at the juncture of Time when the Supputation was made; Yet ſurely our Author's Induſtry in getting freſh Intelligence, or his Integrity in concealing what he received, or the little Acquaintance he has with Men of our Profeſſion muſt be called in Queſtion; becauſe he takes no Notice of ſeveral unhappy Families, ſome of whoſe Branches died miſerable Sacrifices to this inhumane Practice, long ſince the Date of his authentic Tables. To deny ſuch Facts, ſo well atteſted is Fr [...]nt, and to call them Forgeries is taking an unwarrantable Liberty with the Character of Witneſſes, for which reaſon I ſhall forbear laying before him ſome authentic Original Papers on this Subject, tranſmitted to me by Perſons of good Faſhion, and of undoubted and unqueſtionable Credit, till ſuch time as the Author ſhall creep out of his Ambuſcade, and ſhall freely and openly declare upon what Iſſue he will put this Diſpute. I can eaſily believe Dr. Jurin gave our Author ſuch a cautious Anſwer to his Query, and encouraged the Practice by Inoculating his own Child, and am as fully perſwaded the Doctor was ſo Ingenuous as to tell him, how Tragically the Practice ended in another Family about that Time, where 2 out of 2, died by Inoculation, which were under his Care.

BUT to proceed; As I am willing to make our Author all poſſible Conceſſions, I will grant him that not only his Accounts are truly Authentic, but that they have been carried down to the preſent Time, even to Yeſterday, and that the Calculation ſtands that only 1 in 50 have died by Inoculation. Happy thoſe who have by ſuch a lucky Chance, met at once their Death and end of all their Miſeries For are there not [9]many lamentable Spectacles juſt alive who have been Inoculated, many dreadful Images of Death, Monuments of Terror to any that are capable of Fear? If this be the Caſe, I cannot but compaſſionate the Condition of even thoſe that have ſurvived the Operation, and what the Inoculators call, Recovered. But I ſhall conſider this Point more hereafter, and now go on to the Accounts of the Fatality of the natural Infection. And here tho' I could lay down ſeveral Calculations made in different Parts, widely differing from our Author's laſt Accounts, yet as I am ſenſible how ready ſome Perſons are to embrace all Opportunity of Cavil and Objection, and perhaps would inſinuate that ſuch diſtant Supputation cannot be rely'd on; To put the Matter out of Queſtion, I have been at the Expence and Trouble to make a Local one, whereby it appeared that Jan. 28, 1683 Perſons had had the Small Pox, out of which Number 124 died, but as it evidently appears to me that many may, and ought to be deducted out of this Account of the deceas'd, I ſhall ſubmit the following Particulars to our Author's and the Reader's Peruſal and Conſideration.

  • Probably died for want of proper Phyſic, Attendance, Suſtenance, and even Cloathing, notwithſtanding the extraordinary Charity of ſome Gentlemen, and the great Care of the Magiſtrates, and Officers. 35
  • Abortives ſuppoſed to have died of the Small Pox, becauſe the Mother had it. 6
  • Suppoſed to have died of the Small Pox, without having any Eruption. 3
  • Men and Women died of the Small Pox between 60 and 70. 5
  • Dy'd of the natural Sort, ſuch as the Inoculators would not have practiſed upon, as appears by their Cautions, which ſee hereafter in Page 12. 30
  • In all 79

IF this Reduction be allowed me, then the Proportion will be conſiderably altered, and that it may, and ought, is evident to any that will conſider how few have died in Families where there was tolerable Care taken, and proper Medicines and Methods of Cure followed. I could indeed further convince our Author of Miſ-calculation, when he ſays 1 in 6 died, but it muſt be in a Way moſt diſagreeable to myſelf, for I ſhould ſubject myſelf to the Imputation of Oſtentation, when I tell him that out of the great Numbers which I have attended ab Origine, not 1 in 70 have died under my Care; but to make him amends for ſuch ſuppoſed Vanity, I will inform him, that, under Providence, the Succeſs lay in a previous Care, and ſuch Rules of Management I gave to the Perſons, which in a general Infection I ſuppoſed probably might ſoon receive it.

BUT to return; and make our Author farther Allowances, and totally reject this Reduction, yet after all 'twill not appear the Calculation ſtands good: but ſhall leave and requeſt him to conſider the Proportion between 124 and 1683. To this I am really at a loſs to conceive what he will ſay, unleſs it be what he Perſonally inſinuated to me, that many Errors and Miſtakes were made by the Perſons who took the Supputation, which put me to a ſecond Trouble, to make a Review and Re-examination of the Matter, which was compared with the Church Books or Clerk's Accounts, and upon the Whole I ſound the Differences very immaterial; But to give our Author all poſſible Satisfaction, I will indulge him what Numbers he thinks reaſonable [11]for Miſtakes, tho' I am not acquainted with one. Yet I cannot but obſerve that a very material Impoſition was offered me from the Houſe where this mighty Project was laid and is [...]aily carried on, by a falſe Repreſentation that Four had had it and Two died, whereas only One had it who recovered; What Motives could induce a Man of no great Sagacity or reach of Thought to give this Account, I ſhall not determine.

'TIS now high Time to diſmiſs this Article, I ſhall therefore only add, that ſuppoſing the Accounts with regard to the inoculated and natural Sort to be Authentic and True, yet our new Introducer of this Method lies under, in my Opinion, two inſuperable Difficulties.

1. THO' I grant him the Numbers given, yet be has not proved that this artificial Eruption is a preſervative againſt a natural One, ſo that ſome who have ſubmitted themſelves to be practiſed upon by theſe Schematiſts may fall a Sacrifice to the providential Infection.

2. I WILL fairly ſuppoſe that ſome Perſons will never have the Small Pox. Now if the Inoculators ſhould practiſe upon ſuch a one, (and for ought they know they may) and the Patient die, and 'tis Preſumption to ſay he ſhall not. What Name ſhall I give the Fact? What can be ſaid to alleviate the Sorrows of the ſurviving Relations? That the Inoculators are Principals of, and the Friends Acceſſories to a horrid, wicked Act, is poor Conſolation.

ART. II.P. 4. It is to be obſerved that the inoculated Small Pox has been found to be as favourable to grown People as to Children.

MONSTROUS is this Obſervation! How many of the Inoculators ſhall I produce as Evidences to the Contrary? To ſtumble [12]at firſt ſetting out is certainly an ill Omen, and let him be careful that he makes no more falſe ſteps, leaſt he Tumble down.

Is it not well known that the Operators were ſo Diffident of Succeſs, that they choſe Children as Objects of their Cruelty, and whenever they ventured upon grown Perſons, were they not curious in their Choice?

Is it not a ſecret Caution amongſt 'em not to admit Women with Child. 2. Such to whoſe Families the Small Pox uſed to be fatal. 3. Such as are extremcly Fearful, Fanciful, Hyſteric or Hypocondriac. 4. Such as are of choleric Conſtitutions, are apt to Fevers, inflammatory Affections, Pleariſy, Eryſipelas, &c. and ſuch as have lately ſurfeited and over-heated themſelves with Bacchus, or Venus, or great Labour. 5. Such as uſe to ſpit Blood or have over-much Catamenia. 6. Such as have a Phthiſic, Conſumption, Hectic-Fever, &c. 7. Such as have the King's Evil, Gout: Or in Dr. Jurin's Words; To Inoculate none but Perſons of good Habit of Body, and free not only from any Apparent, but as far as may be judged from any LATENT Diſeaſe?

How many then of both Sexes by theſe Exemptions are diſcharged from the Danger, or not entitled to the Benefit of Inoculation, is an Inference obvious to every Reader; I would therefore (in Mr. Howgrave's Words) ask theſe learned Mimicks of a few Ignorant Greek Women two Queſtions. 1. Whether Inoculation is not the moſt Gentle and ſafe Manner of having the Small Pox; and 2dly, Whether a Perſon of a weak Conſtitution, or bad Habit of Body, be not as liable (if not more) to receive the Small Pox by Inſection, as the moſt Healthful can be? The former Queſtion they will anſwer in the Affirmative, and the Latter I am conſident they cannot deny. If this be the Caſe, and Ino [...]lation be gentler and ſafer, weak [13]and diſordered Perſons ought of all others to be incoulated, as leſs able to bear the more hazardous Effects of the natural Sort.

THE next Obſervation, P. 5. ſhews the Author has not recovered his firſt Trip, but is ſtill ſtaggering on; for ſays he, it is alſo to be obſerved, all thoſe who have not had the Small Pox, and reſolve to continue in the Town, muſt almoſt certainly have it now. I would willingly underſtand what is meant by that accurate Expreſſion, All-muſt Almoſt certainly. Almoſt joined with muſt have it now, breaks the Neceſſity of ſome having it at all, if connected with certainly, weakens the Certitude of it. But I ſtand not upon this Criticiſm, ſince as a Grammarian he may be right, yet that he is wrong in the Supputation will appear by the Account here given.

THE 3d Article, P. 5. is introduced with an aſtoniſhing Violence to all the Rules of Reaſon, and all the reſtraints of Truth, and cloſes with a ſingle Inſtance of an uncommon Slaughter that the Small Pox made at Uxbridge; For ſays he, A favourable Sort, produces a favourable Sort, a Malignant, a malignant One; and then the Author with a magiſterial Air, lays down a notorious falſe Aſſertion. This is certain in Inoculation. Surprizing Confidence! 'Tis true indeed, the firſt Inoculators did boaſt as much, yet the many Inſtances of the malignant Sort from a diſtinct Sort, obliged them modeſtly to yield what they could not maintain.

I HAVE always thought that a malignant or a favourable Sort proceeded from the Diſpoſition of the Blood and Temperament of the Perſon receiving the Contagion; if this wants Proof, the different Sorts which have been produced in many Families of this Town, ſhut up and excluded from the Commerce or Sight of any of the infected, is a Demonſtration: For [...]aver it upon my own Experience, I have obſerved, tho' ſometimes [14]the firſt of a Family that fell down of the Diſtemper, had I will ſay, a malignant, confiuent Sort, the next the 2d, and 3d, who in all humane Probability received the poiſonous Infection from this Perſon, had the Favourable and Diſtinct; and in the ſame Family, the 4th or 5th Patient ſhould have the Malignant, and ſo vice verſa, and therefore one Part of this Aſſertion, [viz.] very highly probable is falſe.

LET us examine the other, which with great Boldneſs is pronounced certain in Inoculation. Now I would ask this Author whether he thus roundly aſſerts this upon his own experience in the Method of Inoculation; if he avers this, I am not ſuch an obſtinate Enemy to this dangerous Method as to deny Fact: But if he has not his own Experience to ſupport it, I may be allowed to tell him that the printed * Relations of the unexſpected Stubborneſs and Danger of this Diſtemper under the Inoculators Hands, are Convictions that the Author tramples upon the Rules of Modeſty to ſupport an ill Cauſe. If the famous Operators in this Method have not always had the Charm to raiſe a kind Sort from a mild one, but have frequently conjur'd up a malignant Sort which nothing but Death could bind. I would gladly know if this Gentleman has been taught this unfound Certainty in Inoculation by Inſpiration, and has honeſtly conveyed all the Secret to his Operators altogether unskilled and unacquainted in this Practice; If ſo; I am not ſo hardy as to diſpute (tho' we live in an Age not very ſond of) Inſpiration. But I expect proper Credentials, and till he produces 'em, ſhall call in Queſtion his Veracity in the next Lines, as much as I disbelieve the Certainty of his Aſſertion now. For here the Experience of old Nurſes will conſute his Reaſoning, and inform him that the Small Pox at its firſt coming into a Town is not always favourable, and as it ſpreads grows [15]more Malignant; and indeed at this very Time, viz. Febr. 20. 'tis notoriouſly otherwiſe. For they have Senſe enough to know, tho' few at its firſt Invaſion die of the Diſtemper, and a great many die when it has continued long, this is owing not to an encreaſe of a malignant Sort, but to the Number of People taking the Infection at one time greater than the other. And thus every old Woman by her Remarks and Methods of telling by her Fingers, is ready to ſay the Author's Arithmetick which comes next, amounts to o. o. o.

I MUST follow him then thro' the By-Roads he takes to Uxbridge near London, where I ſtop to lament the Loſs of ſo many People who died of the Small Pox in a natural Way; and tell him that to draw an univerſal Inference from a particular Inſtance, is very illogical, and unſcholarlike.

ART. IV. P. 6. The laſt Reaſon, viz. the general Good of Mankind, muſt if well ſupported, bring Inoculation into Repute and Practice, and be with great Readineſs embraced by thoſe who have not diveſted themſelves of all Humanity and Benevolence. But our Author leaves the moſt Prevailing of his Reaſons, if true, to ſtand by, and ſhift for its ſelf, for he gives it no enforcement; unleſs Dr. Jurin's Calculation is a Support to it, but having already under the ſecond Reaſon ſhewn the In-equality of that Supputation with our Own, I ſhall add no more; but wiſh our Author had.

YET I would under this Article ſay, that if Inoculation was thought ſo great a Preſervative to Mankind, We of the Profeſſion might in 10 or 12 Years, have ſtudy'd the ſafe practical Part of it, and brought it to a greater Perfection then at preſent is appears in, and kept it up in greater Honour then it now maintains amongſt Us. But ſince there is ſuch Uncertainty and Inſecurity in, and ſuch a general Averſion of the People to the Operation, I am ready to believe the Inhabitants of Bury [16]will chooſe to reſign themſelves into the Hands of Providence, rather than to ſubmit to be practiſed upon, in a dangerous, painful Manner by inexpert Operators.

THAT the Bark, Opium, and Mercury have met with Oppoſition I own, but have made their Way thro' the Indignation and Contempt of their Enemies, becauſe upon experience they have been proved uſeful Parts of the Materia Medica; theſe without queſtion in ſome Hands are very faſe, and very effectual Medicines, but by Miſ-application have proved very dangerous and deſtructive Ones, and yet he muſt be very Weak that Condemns the uſe of theſe and many other Medicaments, becauſe ſome Empiricks thro' Intereſt, Diſhoneſty, Ignorance or Folly, have wittingly or deſignedly given them improperly. But the Practice of Inoculation is juſtly condemned, becauſe it is found to be unſucceſsful, inſecure, and not to anſwer the Intention.

AND now I proceed to Objection the 1. P. 7.

WE are not certain that Inoculation is a Security from having the Diſtemper again. But before I examine our Author's Solutions of this Objection to Inoculation, give me leave to ſay, if I condemn'd his Judgment in the Choice of his Reaſons in Defence of the Practice; I will for once venture to commend his Skill in picking out ſuch Objections, which he imagined he could anſwer, and paſſing over many more becauſe he could not. For ſome Reaſons I beg he would be pleaſed to accept of ſome more Objections, I will not be unmerciful, but at preſent lay before him only theſe. 1. Our Climate and our Blood not ſo proper to an Operation invented and practiſed in Greece and Aſia. 2. No Criterion is found to know the Diſpoſition of the Blood, to receive moſt advantageouſly the purulent Matter to be inoculated. 3. No Proportion of the contagious Matter is agreed on by the Inoculators to do the Work ſafely. When theſe ſhall be anſwer'd, I will ask him a Queſtion, viz. What [17]is the Conſequence in that Conſtitution, where Inoculation produces only an imperfect Sort, or (as they artifully expreſs it) has no Effect?

I WILL now conſider his Anſwer. Several Perſons who have been Inoculated, have been made to converſe with, to handle, nurſe, lie in the ſame Bed with others ſick of the natural Pox, and no one ever had it again, as far as they that have enquired can learn. To give Force to this Anſwer the Author ſlily ſuppoſes, the inoculating Method has produced a true genuine Small Pox, and as a Proof of it, ſays, all Patients by the Means of receiving the Infection he mentions, never had it again, as far as they that have enquired can learn. I will not now enter into a Diſpute, whether a true Small Pox is ever brought out by Inoculation, or lay before him well atteſted Hiſtories of Perſons Inoculated, and ſome Time after, falling down of a natural Small Pox, ſince in his ſecond Anſwer I find all theſe muſt go for Forgeries. But will tell him a Performance of all theſe kind Offices, which ſome Parents from an innate Affection to their Children have undertaken, others from a Notion of catching a kind Sort have Induſtriouſly ventured on, ſome from a Neceſſity of their Condition attending the Sick in thoſe Offices of Humanity, and eſcaping the Infection then, have Years after received the contagious Diſtemper. There are ſome in this Town who 21 Years paſt, when it was viſited with this Diſtemper ſtood clear of this Diſcaſe, under ſuch Tryals, but have now had it. So that upon parity of Reaſon this Part of his Anſwer is not ſound, for tho' the inoculated Patients have for ſome time ſtood the Teſt, yet they may hereafter fall, and for ought they know very ſoon into the natural Small Pox. And I am not without a Rationale of this Obſervation, which will further evidence the Weakneſs of our Author's Anſwer, and confirm the Strength of mine. There is generally agreed to be an occult Diſpoſition or Seminium in the Blood to receive the Labes of this Diſeaſe, which [18]may be ſo entangled in its Sinus, and may be under ſuch a ſingular Combination of Texture, &c. as to reſiſt the contagious Effluvia at one time, and at another may be fuſceptible of them. 2d Anſwer. Several Stories that have been invented to perſwade the World of the Contrary, have been detected, and ſhewn to be Forgeries. If my Reader is as hard of Belief, as our Author, in Hiſtories well ſupported, which both of them may meet with in thoſe Tracts wrote 1722, 1723, and in many more ſince, I muſt leave them entrenched in their Infidelity and conſider his 3d Anſwer. As the inoculated Small Pox is in EVERY MINUTE Circumſtance EXACTLY like the natural One. It would be very extraordinary — if it ſhould not be like in this. This is an Aſſertion ſo ſhocking, becauſe egregiouſly falſe, that I have not Temper and Patience to ſpeak to it, but will venture to leave his own Practice, if he will allow proper Judges, as he ought to confute it, and am Confident 'tis not only Anomalous in ſome, but almoſt in every Circumſtance. Under this Head he adds. Whatever be the Reaſon why the Natural Small Pox preſerves us from Infection, it is inconceiveable that the Inoculated ſhould not do the ſame, for the ſame Reaſon. I will kindly offer him two or three Conjectures, which I lay no great Weight upon. 1. That we take this Diſtemper in a natural Way is moſt generally agreed, from infected Particles in the Air, and conveyed to the Lungs by Inſpiration; and then poſſibly the Veſiculae of the Lungs may undergo ſuch a Mutation and Alteration in their Contexture, as ever after to be unſuſceptible of the variolous Infection; but a Transfuſion of this Venom into the Arms and Legs, will not by its Fermentation be any Preſervative at all. 2. If there be a neceſſary Concurrence and Aſſociation of the Texture, Shape, Order, and Magnitude of the Blood required to receive the Infection, this may in the Courſe of Nature meet once and never again; But this Conjunction of Circumſtances being entirely unknown to us Mortals, muſt leave the Inoculators in the Dark, and their Art inſecute. 3. The Alteration made in the Skin by the Small Pox, that is, the Diſtention [19]of the miliary Glands and Pores, Dr. Drake conceives to be the true Reaſon why that Diſtemper never comes a ſecond Time; And Dr. Pitcairne has obſerved, that thoſe that have taken much Mercury which dilates thoſe Pores, are not ſo ſuſceptible of a Fever, for tho' the ſame feveriſh Diſpoſition ſhould, and may ariſe in the Inſtances of the Small Pox, or after much Mercury taken, yet the Paſſages thro' the Skin being more free and open, the Matter will never be ſo ſtop'd as to raiſe the uſual Symptoms in either Caſe.

BUT that this cannot be the Caſe after Inoculation, is certain both in Reaſon and Fact, for the very Practicers of it have been obliged to confeſs and acknowledge that their Method has ſometimes only produced an ingenuine or imperfect Small Pox, and have expreſs'dly granted (becauſe ſeveral Inſtances have prov'd) that ſuch artificial Ingraftment was not preventive of of a ſecond natural Crop; and 'tis farther evident as Sir Richard Blackmore obſerves, that the Seeds of the Diſeaſe are not always carried off with thoſe Impurities, which are diſcharged by Inoculation: but that thoſe falſe Eruptions may be wholly unmixt and unconcern'd with the Principles of the Small Pox, ſince they alike follow upon Inoculation, whether the Perſon has ever had, or had not that Diſtemper before. I ſhould now proceed to the 2d Objection, yet cannot but firſt obſerve our Author's artful Inſinuation, that it has been the Opinion of ſome (I ſuppoſe he means old Women) that the natural Small Pox was not an abſolute Security againſt it a ſecond Time, and then thank him that he owns this ſo rarely happens as not to deſerve Notice. A very pretty, modeſt Confeſſion! but let me tell him that I hereby call upon him to produce an Inſtance or two of this, under ſome regular Phyſician's Hand within theſe twelve Years, the Time Inoculation has been practis'd amongſt us, and in return by way of Compliment, promiſe him for every ſuch ſingle Caſe well atteſted, to give him ſeveral, where the natural Small Pox has came on, after the Inoculators [20]had roundly aſſerted all poſſible Security againſt it, and when I have made good this Engagement and produced ſome plain Hiſtories, I ſhall humbly beg our Author to inform me how ſtands the Proportion.

I NOW proceed to the 2d Objection, which is, That the inoculated Small Pox often leaves bad Conſequences, as Conſumptions, Boils, and Blotches, weak Eyes, &c.

WHOEVER is acquainted with the Rules of Controverſy (a State of Life, few that have regard to themſelves would be brought into, but many that have a concern for others may) will own how unfair that Diſputant is, who does not put the Objections againſt him in the ſtrongeſt Light, let the Event of the Diſpute be what it will. Had this Objection, now to be conſidered, been fairly propoſed, I am willing to believe, we might have recollected the Fable of the Viper and the File, but rather than not anſwer all Difficulties, becauſe ſome are inſolvable, many are to be ſtifled. In this manner our Inocularian cowardly ſuppreſſes a Catalogue of Maladies which are the Conſequences of Inoculation, but not of the natural Small Pox, and undauntedly mentions thoſe which are the Conſequences of both. However, I ſhall beg leave to enforce this Objection, by giving an Explanation, and Interpretation of the Authors &c. and adding to what he has mentioned, CONTRACTED LIMBS, HEMEPLEGIES, PERPETUAL CEPHELALGIES, PHRENSIES, FATAL MORTIFICATIONS.

HAS the Power of Prepoſſeſſion in favour of this Method barr'd up all the Avenues to our Author's Mind, that Truth ſhall be hindred admittance? Or are the Miſtakes of this Anſwer owing to an excuſable Ignorance, or unpardonable Inadvertency? For to ſay that the natural Small Pox is apt to leave the ſame ſort of ill Conſequences is a miſtake I am poſitive, but under which ſort to place the Riſe of it. I am really at a Loſs, I had rather our Author ſhould chuſe. But if he will ſtill inſiſt [21]on the ſame ſort of ill Conſequences, which he acknowledges there are Methods which will for the moſt Part entirely prevent or remedy, and always do it in ſome Degree. I muſt expect of him to point me out ſome Caſes from the natural Sort, ſo formidable and ſo ſtubborn, that the Care and Skill of the moſt eminent Phyſicians and Chirurgeons, have been ſo far baffled and prov'd ineffectual, that they have not in any Degree been meliorated by Art; for with many of theſe I take upon me to charge Inoculation, and at a proper Time will produce my Vouchers, and if ſo, the Force of the Objection is beyond his reach of Refuting. I will grant indeed our Author that the Diſorders attending the natural Small Pox principally (but not altogether) depend on a Reſorbition of the putrid Matter into the Veſſels upon the Declenſion of the Diſeaſe; but in the unnatural Kind, the Caſe is quite otherwiſe, for in this, all the diſmal Train of Maladies, derive their ſource and origine from Nature's Inability, to throw out the venemous, malignant Matter, or in a proper Degree to depurate the Blood from the Poiſon which has been implanted; and I am firmly of Opinion, that Mr. Howgrave's Obſervation is juſt, that theſe Diſorders are the Effects of the very Operators Preparations, which are by Purging and Bleeding; for what is propoſed by Purging, if the Patient to be inoculated be not only free from any APPARENT but even any LATENT Diſeaſe; and if theſe are the only Perſons to be inoculated, which has been ſhewn, Where is the neceſſity of Phyſic or Phyſician? We know not when, or where the Patient is afflicted but by Symptoms, and if none of theſe offer themſelves, we muſt conclude the Body is in a good State, and if any Perſon be of ſuch a Habit of Body as to require theſe Preparations, then by their own Account, he is not a fit Subject for Inoculation. And as to Bleeding 'tis not only not neceſſary, but MUST ALLMOST CERTAINLY be prejudicial, eſpecially when the very cold Regimen is rigorouſly enjoyn'd, becauſe by theſe the Craſis of the Blood may be ſo weakned, as to render it incapable of [22]throwing off the corroſive Matter, which Inoculation has forced into it. 'Tis true indeed, in the natural Sort theſe and other preparative Methods, may, and frequently ought to be adviſed, for in this Caſe there will be no Danger, but that Nature of herſelf, or when properly aſſiſted, will effectually reject whatever is offenſive to her. Notwithſtanding what has been ſaid, I will upon ſecond Thoughts grant our Author that Preparation before the Operation, Attendance of a Phyſician, during the Diſtemper, and Care afterwards, may be very proper— if the Patient can pay well for it.

BUT to be ſerious and return to our Author who, as I before obſerved, has a magiſterial Way of laying down Poſitions unſupported, but muſt here remark a Method more ſoft but not leſs affronting to his Reader, when he would ſmoothly lead him into two Miſtakes thus: One would naturally think therefore that where the moſt corrupted Matter of the worſt Kind is returned into the Blood, there the Diſorders ſucceeding the Small Pox ſhould be moſt and worſt. And again, P. 11. It is inconceivable how a Quantity of corrupted Matter falling into the Body, ſhould be the occaſion of the Diſorders ſucceeding the Small Pox, — and yet the inoculated Small Pox where there is leſs of the Matter, and of a more kindly Nature be attended with worſe Conſequences. Here are two Things taken for granted which I can by no means allow. 1. That a greater Quantity of the infectious Matter is received Naturally. And 2dly, That 'tis of a more malign Nature than what is received by Inoculation. Is there any Argument to make either of theſe good? Is there any Reaſoning to evince the Truth of 'em? No; 'tis enough, Ipſe Dixit, and we muſt ſubmit to his ſuperiour Judgment, and implicitly ſwallow down his Compoſition. But with his Leave let me conſider the Nature of the Malignity of the Infection. Is our Author unacquainted with ſome Poiſons which when communicated to the Blood immediately prove fatal, but when received into the Stomach and [23]ſo digeſted, are innocent and inoffenſive? May not the Virulence of the contagious Effluvia of the ſick and infected Things be newly modify'd by the Air, and many of the venomous Spicula, broke and blunted in their Paſſage? Whereas the Acrimony of groſs Matter from a Puſtle is no ways ſheath'd or obtunded by the Inocularian Conveyance. But when our Author perſonates a Phyſician, I have never been ſurpriz'd to find him talking very erroneouſly concerning the Quality of Diſeaſes and Remedies, but as a Geometrican I really always expected to have him very exact in any Conſideration of Quantities and Diviſibility of Matter. Let our Author then meditate a little upon the Difference between GROSS MATTER and EFFLUVIA, and if he be at a Loſs after ſuch Reflection, I wou'd refer him to Mr. Boyle, who will inform him that ſeveral Bodies are ſound to emit Effluvia for a great Number of Years, as Magnets, Electrical Bodies, Ambers, divers Odorous Bodies, the Tenuity of whoſe emanant Corpuſcles are ſo incredibly ſmall that they perceptibly loſe neither Bulk or Weight.—Or let him conſult ſome Apothecary, who will inform him how a Tun of Sack is poiſon'd and made an Emetick by a ſmall Quantity of Crocus Metallorum, or by the Antimonial Cup, without dimunition of its Quantity or Quality: And if theſe will not give him Satisfaction, I cou'd tell him of a worthy Family in the Neighbourhood which has for many Years been poſſeſs'd of an Indian Stone, which immerg'd in Water, will make a generous Cordial, and in leſs than a Minutes Time; and this without any apparent Abatement of Subſtance or Quality. Now if this be the Caſe, and the Difference between groſs Matter and Effluvia be ſo wide, one ſingle Puſtule may contain Particles ſufficient to inſect 10000 Perſons in the Natural Way.

I SHALL add no more, but conclude this Reply to our Author with informing him, ſince he ſeems to have ſo little Acquaintance with Men of our Profeſſion, that ſo many Remarkable and Notorious Facts have ſupported the Force of this Objection, [24]that the moſt Learned and Judicious Practicers of Phyſick and Surgery, both at Home and Abroad, have totally diſcredited and rejected this Operation.

Obj. 3. P. 13. By Inoculation we may communicate other Diſtempers. Whether I was in the right when I commended our Author's Skill in chooſing Objections againſt Inoculation, becauſe he thought he cou'd anſwer them, I know not, but am certain this Objection is founded upon ſolid Reaſon; ſupported by Experience, and is ſo formidable to the Practice, that if our Introducer of this Mankind-Self-ſerving Project does not clearly anſwer it, I am fully perſwaded he will be diſappointed of his firſt View injudiciouſly open'd to his Readers in his laſt Words, becauſe it leaves them with Impreſſions unfavourable to the Writer. If other Diſtempers may be communicated and the Small Pox may not, as ſome Inoculators honeſtly own, that ſuch a Miſcarriage ſometimes ariſes; I queſtion whether our Inoculator ſtands the Chance of being regarded by 1 in 50, perhaps 60, 80, 100, 1000, or even more of the Inhabitants of Bury for an Enterprize ſo hazardous to their Lives.

I ſhall therefore particularly examine how he anſwers in the way of his Profeſſion this ſtubborn Objection.

MOST chronical Diſtempers, ſays our exact NUMERIST, are chiefly owing to the irregular make of the Veſſels thro' which the Blood and Juices paſs. Had he ſaid SOME FEW I had agreed with him. But ſince ſo many chronical Diſtempers derive their Sources from the Viſcidity, Fermentation, Rareſaction, or Condenſation of the Juices and their conſtituent Parts, the Motion and Circulation of which are often ſtopped and impeded, when they are not well comminuted by Concoction: ſince many more are entirely owing to too great an Increaſe of ſharp and acrimonious Salts, which intermixing with the [25]Fluids, leave in them ſuch a corroſive Quality, as inſtead of filtrating thro' the Glands, break thro', or wear them up. Since then ſo many chronical Diſtempers take their Origine from other Cauſes, I cannot accede to our Author's Aſſertion. Nay, he is ſo diffident and diſtruſtful of the Truth of his own Sentiments, that ſoon after he acknowledges there are ſeveral Diſtempers which may be communicated by Methods no ways conſiſtent with this Account. I ſhall leave therefore the further Examination of this Aſſertion, which indeed has no Force here, and had better have been omitted, ſince if our Calculator is wrong in his Account as he moſt egregiouſly is, the Poſition betrays at the ſame Time his want of Judgment, in the Nature and Cauſe of chronical Diſtempers, and the Method of palliating or curing them. But this puts me in mind of an Obſervation of the great Baglivi, who if I remember right ſomewhere ſays; ‘"In my Judgment, Mathematicks, Rhetorick, Arithmetic, &c. are as ſerviceable to an accurate Hiſtory of Diſeaſes, as the Art of Painting is to a Muſician."’

BUT to follow our Author who goes on thus: Now if this was the Caſe of all, it would be as juſt to affirm, that Inoculation could communicate the Features of another Man's Face, as communicate other Diſtempers. I muſt own this is to me an unintelligible Conſequence drawn from the Author's own Premiſſes, but as they are innocent, harmleſs Words, and communicate no force to his Anſwer, and do no hurt to the Objection, I ſuffer them to ſtand in their Place, or to CIRCULATE with the Milk thro' the Body of a Nurſe. But I call myſelf off from breaking ſuch Bubbles, and plead in my Defence, 'tis none of my Fault, if ſome Authors Write ſo Triflingly, that they are not to be ſolidly refuted.

YET ſince I ſaid this Objection was built upon ſolid Reaſon, and ſupported by Experience, I think myſelf obliged to prove [26]the Poſſibility, Probability, and Certainty of communicating of other Diſtempers by Inoculation of the Small Pox.

1. IT is generally allowed that the Stamina or Principles of ſome dangerous Diſeaſes, ſuch as Madneſs, Leproſy, Kings-Evil, Conſumptions, Lues Venerea, &c. are by an hereditary Right entailed upon ſome Families for ſome Time.

2. Theſe Principles compounded and ſormed in the Conſtitutions of ſome Perſons, are of a ſize ſo exiguous, as to be imperceptible even to the moſt Eagle-ey'd Chirurgeon, and of a Nature ſo quiet and dormant as not to enter upon Action, unleſs by ſome adventitious Cauſe rouſed up.

3. A VARIOLOUS FEVER by a violent and extraordinary Fermentation of the whole Maſs of Blood, rouſes theſe Seeds, and they mix with thoſe of the Small Pox: and a Puſtule taken from ſuch a Perſon, who has the Seeds of any of theſe Diſeaſes, may as well convey the Principles of ſuch Diſeaſes, as of the Small Pox into another clear of them before.

4. WHEN thus conveyed they have a Power in the minuteſt Size to convert a large Maſs of Liquids into their noxious Nature, and by this Aſſimilation ruin the Craſis of the Blood, and in progreſs of Time produce a homogeneous Diſeaſe.

THAT I am not ſingular in allowing ſuch Semina and Agency of 'em to corrupt the Blood and Humours, and by Degrees bring them into ſuch a ſtate of Aſſimilation as may cauſe a Diſtemper of the ſame Family to break out, will be clear to thoſe who have read the mechanical Account of Poiſon, wrote by the judicious and learned Dr. Mead, in which Treatiſe he ſeveral Times, and various Ways confirms and eſtabliſhes this Notion, Particularly p. 84. ‘"What is thrown out from Liquors in a Ferment is capable of inducing the like Motion in another [27]Liquor of the ſame Kind, when duly mixt with it".’ Again, ‘"A Perſon thus affected (viz. by a mad Dog) may be ſaid in a Degree to have put on the canine Nature, tho' his Reaſon be all this time untouch'd and entire, may Bite, Howl, &c. becauſe the like violent Agitation of the Blood in him as was in the Dog, will preſent like Species, and conſequently (ſo far as their different Natures will allow) produce like Actions, &c".’

I WILL only add another Quotation, from an Author who is as great an Ornament of our Profeſſion in the French Nation, as the Laſt is in our own, [viz.] Helvetius, who expreſſly ſays in his Eſſay on the Animal Oeconomy, P. 132. ‘"When the Blood abounds with Humours of different Qualities, which are likewiſe diſſolved along with the variolous Humours, the Diſeaſe in that Caſe cannot be Simple, but muſt be complicated".’ From theſe Authorities it appears that the Depoſita of ſome bad Diſeaſe may incorporate with the purulent Matter of a Puſtule, and the Puſtule being a Compoſition of variolous Poyſon and of theſe Seeds, may poſſibly and probably communicate a Chaos of Diſeaſes.

BUT Poſſibilities and Probabilities are Bugbears and may fright Children, but not move a wiſe Man; For the infectious Matter (ſays our Author) according to Experience appears to communicate nothing but what it was intended to communicate, the Small Pox. Now this is another unſupported Aſſertion againſt Fact, and muſt be tried by Experience, which ſhews a CERTAINTY of ſuch complicated Communication, and as a Proof ſhall at preſent only beg his Review of the printed Relations, and particularly Miſs Rolt's and Lord Percival's Son's Caſe, both of which in a lingering Diſeaſe miſerably lived and at laſt died Victims to this barbarous Practice; but hereafter if our Author ſhall think fit to undertake a general Hiſtory of the Succeſs of Inoculation [28] [...] [...]n [...]iſeto give him my Sentiments of the Performan [...], and wh [...] further Sat [...]faction I can on this Subject.

I GO on with our Author who generally at the beginning of an Article ſeems to triumph be it only for a Flouriſh in a line or two but at the Cloſe ſuppoſes all that has hitherto been advanced may be ſet aſide, and is by my Conſent. But his forſorn Hope being cut off, we muſt depend upon Porters, Ploughmen, &c. and here we have a moral Certainty, that theſe have ſound and healthy Conſtitutions. Theſe indeed cannot be Leprous, Scabious, Scorbutick, Rheumatick, &c. theſe cannot be ſubject to any LATENT Diſeaſe; ſo that from theſe, all Gentlemen may be inoculated very ſafely without any Communication of any other Diſtemper, and the Ladies have no reaſon to fear a Communication of Features, becauſe it would be as juſt to affirm that Inoculation could communicate the Features of another Man's Face, as communicate other Diſtempers. But I will farther add, and oblige our Author with another neceſſary Caution in the Practice of Inoculation, which perhaps he never heard of before, and tell him that it is the Opinion of ſome, that even the vicious Inclination of a Nurſe may by the Milk be communicated to her ſuckling Infant; if ſo, methinks he ſhould be very careful and inquiſitive into the moral Diſpoſition of the Perſon from whom the Matter is taken, for otherwiſe he may imprudently bring an Honeſt Man to the Gallows, and make a Modeſt Virgin a Brazen Proſtitute; but this perhaps will ſo rarely happen, as not to deſerve Notice.

I HAVE now given a ſhort Anſwer to a Pamphlet, entituled, Some Reaſons, &c. If my Friends have expected it ſooner, or wiſh'd for a Longer, I muſt tell a plain and undiſguiſed Truth, I had neither Inclination for the one, nor Time for the other; and in thoſe Hours I ſat down to write, I have been ſo frequently interrupted, that it is more my Wonder that I [29]have finiſh'd ſo ſoon, than that the Impatience of my Acquaintance ſhou'd make them think I delay'd too long. But I hope I have ſaid enough to diſcourage a Practice inſecure of its Intention, often pernicious in its Conſequences, frequently fatal in its Event, to thoſe who voluntarily and freely ſubmit to it; and ſurely neither Perſwaſion or Compulſion ſhould be uſed when Health and Life are the Stakes. It muſt undoubtedly therefore lay all thoſe who are by fine PROMISES drawn into it, or by inhumane THREATS forc'd into it, under unrequitable Obligations to the Projector.

IF OTHERS can calmly ſee a deteſtable Method diſcredited every where elſe, introduced amongſt their Friends and Acquaintance; I muſt own I could not be Paſſive and Silent and with coolneſs of Temper ſee it; I could not even forſee their Miſeries without Horrour, and thought myſelf obliged by the Ties of Humanity and Friendſhip, to do my utmoſt to prevent them. This was the ſole Motive of my Writing this Anſwer, and if I am ſo happy as to ſtop a moſt dangerous Scheme, the Pleaſure of doing good is Reward great enough for me. And ſince our Author in his laſt Line without any Hypocriſy owns an ambitious View of being regarded, I without Envy wiſh he may meet with as much regard, as his Modeſty joined with his Merit may juſtly claim.

FINIS.

Appendix A APPENDIX.

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I Had determined not to Publiſh any Letters from my own private Correſpondents, or Re-print any from the Tracts at preſent, but to fill up an empty Page, have ſubjoined the following Moving one from Mrs. Rolt, a Lady of good Senſe and Faſhion.

Appendix A.1 A Letter from Mrs. Rolt. Dated September, 16, 1724.

WHEN I determin'd by my Friend's Perſwaſion to have my Daughter inoculated, I ſent for Mr. A—d, he as'k but few queſtions about her, but I told him ſhe had the Jaundice about a Year before, and ſome Months after a ſmall relapſe into it, that from that time ſhe had been very well, till ſhe had the Meaſles about two Months before, and getting ſoon well of it, had been ever ſince with a Relation at Epſome. He declar'd himſelf very well ſatisfied with her State of Health, and tho' I propos'd having a Phyſician to attend her, ask'd him whether there was not to be ſome Preparation, and particularly mention'd, cutting off her Hair; he ſaid there was no occaſion for any thing I had offered, that the Child would be ſo well all the Courſe of the Diſeaſe, that ſhe would play about the Room the whole Time.

About five or ſix Days after the Inoculation, ſhe was ſeized with great Pains in all her Joints. The Small Pox came out about the 10th or 11th Day very violently, and was what [31]they call the flux Sort; upon which I propos'd again a Phyſician, Mr. A—d upon it nam'd one he had a mind, which I conſented to, ſoon after another was call'd, who he ſaid underſtood Inoculation: ſoon after their Bleeding her, there appeared a ſwelling upon one of her Elbows, upon which I was very much flatter'd, that it was a mark ſhe would do well, as I was often in the courſe of her Illneſs. In nine Weeks after the Inoculation, and after the moſt miſerable Suffering, that ever poor Creature underwent, ſhe died worn to nothing but Skin and Bone. She had ſix and thirty running Sores (none of them having ever been heal'd) when ſhe died; and they were forced to roll up her Joints in Paſt-board, leaſt the Joints ſhould fall out of their Places.

I am very ſenſible of the Reports which have been ſpread about her, [viz.] that ſhe was eat up of the Kings-evil, that ſhe had had the Black-Jaundice, and that ſhe was not well cured of that, nor of the Meaſles. The Contrary of which, was affirm'd to me by thoſe who had the Care of her in thoſe Illneſſes, and as to the King's-evil it never happen'd, either to Mr. Rolt's or my Family, nor was it ever ſuſpected by the Phyſicians who had treated her. And Mr. A—d himſelf as I ſaid before, allowed her to be in a very good Condition, and fit for the Operation even without the help, either of a Phyſician, or any Preparation.

After this it is very extraordinary to have ſuch Reports ſpread; and particularly that any Man ſhould talk in Print of the irregular Life of a Child of nine Years old; for near two Years before the Meaſles, ſhe had been at Mr. Caverlas School, which is allow'd to be one of the beſt govern'd in England.

I could ſay much more upon this Subject, but as every particular of this is Fact, the World may ſee by it the Humanity of having ſuch a Misfortune aggravated, by the very People, who at leaſt ſhould ſhew ſome Repentance, for the Miſery they brought upon an afflicted Mother.

ANNE ROLT.
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As this Letter is wrote within the Confinements of Truth, and with the Accents of Sorrow, I may leave it without any Reflection. Every Man of Senſe from this Caſe will obſerve a Communication of Diſeaſes by Inoculation, POSSIBLE, PROBABLE, and CERTAIN. And every affectionate fond Mother and tender Virgin may from this doleful Inſtance ſee the Mercies of Inoculation are Cruel, and dread a Practice of an Influence ſo malignant, as may render the Lives of them and theirs miſerable, and their Bodies an Hoſpital of putrid Sores, and incurable Diſtempers.

Appendix B ERRATA.

Page 16 l. 12, for wittingly, read unwittingly.

Appendix C Advertiſement.

ANY Perſon who has had an Opportunity of making any Obſervation of the ill Conſequences of Inoculation, is carneſtly requeſted to communicate the Caſe well circumſtantiated to Dr. Warren, at Bury St. Edmund's in Suffolk.

Notes
*
Vide The Caſe of Lord Bathurſt's Servant, Mrs. Waller, Mr. Hugh's Daughter, &c.
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Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 5580 I have perused a pamphlet entitled Some reasons why the practice of inoculation ought to be introduced into the town of Bury at present and have been surprized to find this elaborate piece so little. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-5C15-6