Dr. Ruston. I approve of it in general, and practise it; but not in the extreme.
Couns. for the Pris. What is your opinion as to the manner of communicating the infection?
Dr. Ruston. I think it a matter of little importance. That of just raising the skin with the point of a lancet, which has been dipped into a pustule, and then rubbing the matter which adheres to it on the wound with the finger, seems to be as good a one as any.
Couns. for the Pris. One question more. Do you think, upon the whole, that the Prisoner at the bar possesses any secret, to which his success is to be attributed?
Dr. Ruston. I think it must have appeared, from the evidence I have given, that he possesses no secret at all.
Couns. for the Pris. We shall now recall one of their own witnesses; a gentleman of undoubted veracity; whose evidence, if it have proved any thing against the Prisoner, will, upon farther examination, be found to prove much more in his favour.
Dr. Baker.
Pray, Dr. Baker, is the practice of preparing persons for the small pox with calomel peculiar to the Prisoner at the bar?
Dr. Baker. By no means: it is a very general practice. There are several physicians of credit who insist strenuously on its good effects.
Couns. for the Pris. Is it common to give purgative medicines on this occasion?