Inoculated, 16th March, 1798, with matter taken from a pustule on the hand of the aforesaid Thomas Virgoe poisoned with Grease from the Mare’s heels. “He became ill on the sixth day with symptoms similar to those excited by Cowpox, and on the eighth was free from indisposition.”
On this case of Horsegrease inoculation, Jenner observed—
We have seen that the virus from the Horse is not to be relied upon as rendering the system secure from variolous infection, but that the matter produced by it on the nipple of the Cow is perfectly so. Whether the virus passing from the Horse through the human constitution, as in the present instance, will produce a similar effect remains to be decided. This would have been effected, but the boy was rendered unfit for Smallpox Inoculation from having felt the effects of a contagious fever in a work-house soon after this experiment was made.
Mark the assumption, “The virus from the Horse is not to be relied upon as rendering the system secure from variolous infection, but the matter produced by it on the nipples of the Cow is perfectly so!” Such was Jenner’s method of induction! How could he leave the question undecided? Why not have waited until little Baker recovered from his fever? or why not have inoculated another work-house child with Horsegrease? The true sons of science do not rush into print in such shameless deshabille.
XIX.—William Summers, aged five and a half.
Inoculated 16th March, 1798, from the nipple of one of the Cows infected with Horsegrease by Haynes. Subsequently inoculated with Smallpox without effect.
XX.—William Pead, aged eight.
Inoculated, 28th March, from Summers. Subsequently inoculated with Smallpox without effect.
XXI.—Hannah Excell, aged seven.