Dr. Glass. It is apparently, though perhaps not essentially, different.
Couns. for the Pris. Pray, Doctor, favour the Court with an account of this practice.
Dr. Glass. This Somersetshire operator inoculates all that apply to him for that purpose, without examining in what state of health they are, or have been, or asking them a single question. He always begins his process with communicating the infection. After this he bleeds some, purges all twice, confines them to a low diet, forbids exercise, and whatever quickens the motion of the blood. Every one, as soon as the eruptive fever begins, is put to bed in a room that is shut up close, to keep out the cool air, is well covered with bed-cloaths, and has plenty of baum tea given him to make him sweat. But if this doth not answer, a sweating powder, which, being tasteless, is supposed to be some antimonial preparation, is administered. By these means, a plentiful sweat is procured, and continued till the eruption is compleated. The patient is then permitted to get up, walk about the house, and to go out, if he pleaseth, into the open air, when the weather is not unfavourable.
Couns. for the Pris. I think, Sir, you said that you had been at some pains to discover the cause of the miraculous success ascribed to this new method of inoculation, as it is called: is it your opinion that it is owing to any peculiarity in his preparatory course?
Dr. Glass. No; because the result of inoculation after various methods of preparation, and without any preparation at all, as appears from the practice of the Somersetshire man, are much the same.
Couns. for the Pris. Do you ascribe it to the use of mercury?
Dr. Glass. No; because I certainly know, that some gentlemen of my acquaintance, who make it a constant rule to prepare with mercurials, have not been more successful than some others, who seldom or never use any mercurial preparation before or after the operation.
Couns. for the Pris. Are you of opinion that it is to be attributed to his extreme cool regimen?
Dr. Glass. No; though I approve it in general: nevertheless, I will venture to say, that I have met with some cases, in which cordial medicines were necessary. Yet I apprehend, that a close room and hot air are always extremely prejudicial in every stage of the small-pox, and in all kinds of fevers.
Couns. for the Pris. Do you lay any stress on the manner of communicating the infection?