Consequences of this Method of Inoculation.
I Shall now consider the consequences that follow this very cool and repelling method, and how far the patient’s future state of health may be affected by a practice so new, and opposite to all established theory.
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.
With regard to ophthalmies from this kind of practice, I have never had an example of one truly deserving that name; the coats of the eye have been a little inflamed in a very few, but they soon became clear, without any means used for that purpose. And I know but two cases where I thought the inflammation great enough to require bleeding, and not one where a blister was necessary. So that these complaints, heretofore so frequent and grievous, seem by this new method to be much reduced: a circumstance which, if it does not amount to a proof, admits at least of a fair conjecture, that the state of health is better here, than where those remains of putridity are so evidently existing in the habit.
Discoveries in physic, as in every other science, are in their infancy liable to censure and opposition; and as the present system of inoculation is of so extraordinary a kind, it would not be strange if a greater portion of both than usual should fall to its share. Accordingly, since no charge of fatality during the disease, nor instances of bad effects soon after the recovery, can be produced, recourse has been had to other measures to calumniate and discredit the practice. It would be tedious to enter into a detail of the many false and ridiculous reports that have been spread against it. In general, the constitution is said to be injured, and the dreadful effects are to appear at some distant period; but at what time, or what kind of disease, nobody pretends to determine. To these general accusations it cannot be expected I should give other than a general answer; which is, that from the strictest observation and inquiry I have been able to make, those who have been inoculated in this way, have continued to enjoy as good a state of health as their neighbours; nay, many of them have thought their constitutions better after the process than before.
But it seems as if these opposers expected that inoculation should not only free the inoculated from the small-pox, and any early bad effects, but must preserve them too from all other disorders through the rest of their lives. To such I can say nothing; but if others, who are more reasonable, require further satisfaction as to the consequences of this method, I must desire them to make inquiry of those who have been inoculated under my direction.
Another charge against this method of inoculation is, that some have had the distemper afterwards in the natural way. What I have said under the head of anomalous small-pox, will I believe sufficiently account for the appearances which have occasioned these false reports; and if that does not satisfy, I can only add this positive declaration, that nothing of the kind has ever happened to any patient inoculated by me; and I firmly believe, no one has ever had, or can have, the distemper a second time, either in the natural way or from inoculation.