A TREATISE Concerning the
SMALL-POX.
IN WHICH A Plain and Easy METHOD of Curing that Disease under its most direful Symptoms, is discover'd.
AND
The Case of Women with Child at that Time particularly consider'd; and so stated, as to be render'd even safer than that of other Women.
The whole made apparent from Reason, and the Natural Disposition of the Parts: Exemplified by several Instances of Fact.
In a LETTER, written in the Year 1716, to the Learned Dr. JOHN BATEMAN, then President of the Royal College of
Physicians,
By
F. BELLINGER,
Of the College of PHYSICIANS.
LONDON:
Printed for the AUTHOR: And Sold by W. and J. INNYS, in St.
Paul
's Church-yard; and J. ROBERTS, in
Warwick-Lane.
MDCCXXI.
To His GRACE
JOHN,
Duke of
Montague;
These few PAGES are most humbly offer'd by His GRACE'S
Most Obedient,
AND
Most Humble Servant,
F. Bellinger.
THE PREFACE.
I T is now upwards of Four Years since the following Sheets were finish'd, and just going to the Press, when a tedious Sickness of a dear Relation, which at last ended in Death, interposed, and not only for that time suspended my Thoughts of publishing them then, but even extinguish'd my Intentions of ever doing it at all. This I thought necessary to premise, that what may be found either in the Body, or Historical Accounts of the following Discourse, may not be supposed in any way to relate to the Contentions which have arisen between some eminent Practisers, concerning Purging in the Declension of the Small Pox; but whatever is there, I look upon my self to be answerable for, whither Bad or Good.
For as on one Hand, it would be an inexcusable Partiality and Peevishness, to find fault with any Discovery, that may be made in Practice upon so difficult a Disease as the
Small-Pox
frequently proves to be, in as much, as by such Suggestion, sick Persons, or those about them, may be deterred from making use of such Things as may be serviceable and instrumental towards the saving their Lives: So would it be as unpardonable a Levity on the other Hand, for any one to depart from a Method he had found successful, with very little Interruption, in a Disease under its general Designation; and without any at all, when so particularly circumstantiated as the
Small-Pox
is in Women with Child; which has been always look'd on as a singular Disadvantage to Persons labouring under it at that time.
One of the first Instances the Learned Dr.
Friend
gives in his Treatise,
de Purgatione in secunda fibre,
&c. is of a Person that miscarried; upon which Account he consulted with the celebrated Dr.
Chamberlen,
whose peculiar Business must frequently lead him into Observations of that kind more than any others; and as the Case is very extraordinary in all its Particulars, Dr.
Friend
closes the Relation after this Manner; That the learned Gentleman he consulted with, assur'd sur'd him, that 'twas one of the first Patients he ever knew recover under those Disadvantages. And indeed, Instances of such Success have been very rare. Which very Observation, well reflected on, sufficiently justifies and vindicates any Regular and Rational Attempt (and such I hope the following will appear to be) that may be made to prevent, if possible, the tender Sex being reduc'd to such an unhappy Condition and Dilemma. For by Abortion, the Life of the Child is certainly destroy'd, and at the same time, and on the same Account (let others say what they please) that of the Mother is brought into the utmost Jeopardy. And as the first can be saved by no other Means than by preventing the Miscarriage: So is the last in the most probable way of being preserv'd by the same Measures.
When I first laid these few Observations before the very learned Dr.
Bateman,
the then President of the College of Physicians, he was pleased to encourage my publishing them in the following Terms.
"Your Treatise of the
Small-Pox
deserves highly to be published, not only for the Histories you give of the good Success of your Powder; but especially for the Cases of the Women, which is quite new. I thank you also for the rare Use of Blisters, in Case of
Haemorrhages,
which I never heard of before,
&c."
So kind an Approbation, and from so great a Hand, is sufficient to encourage my Publishing it at this time, had I no other; but when I have, through God's Blessing, met with the same Success here in
London
as in the
Country;
and at the same time look back upon the two last Years Bills of Mortality, and see so vast a Number of Persons carried off by the
Small-Pox,
and the Weekly Bills still continuing in that Article not low: I need make no Excuse surely, if I endeavour to give a helping Hand in so great a Calamity.
The Manner of treating Women with Child in the
Small-Pox,
is as the foremention'd Learned Gentleman does me the Honour to assure the World, quite new. And yet I will take the liberty at the same time to affirm, that the Practice is founded upon Reason and Truth in the natural Disposition, Administration and Function of the Parts during the time of their being so, which is indeed undeniable. By this Test all former Practice ought to be examin'd, and upon this Foundation all new Discoveries in Medicine ought to be laid. And if upon such Principles and Considerations, Success has constantly attended the Practice, what more can be desir'd? And it will not certainly be taken for a precarious Way of proceeding, to presume, that some of the Thousands that were swept away by the
Small-Pox
the two last Years, might be Women with Child; and the being instrumental in the saving but one Life, will abundantly justify the present Work; which common Humanity obliges every one to confess.
As to the Powder here proposed, I must freely acknowledge, that it chiefly consists of such Parts as are well and commonly known in Use and Practice. But the manner of its Composition is somewhat new; and then as to the Salt of
Amber,
being directed as an Alexipharmick, (and it is certainly the noblest and most generous one in the whole Pharmaceutick Kind) that I think is also something new. But that I might neither impose upon my self nor my Readers, I have again and again review'd the whole
Materia
of Dr.
Sydenham,
Dr.
Morton,
and others, and cannot once find it administred as such; which has been Matter of greater Wonder than Pleasure to observe. I could willingly enter into a long Account of its Excellency, and a Rationale of its Operation; but I shall abridge my self of that Pleasure, and in few Words only say, That though it be reckoned among the Volatile Salts, yet as it vastly excells any of them in its Effects, it greatly differs from them in its very Nature. Most, if not all the other, have a Burning Canstick Quality in them, as is evident in
Sal volat. Corn. Cerv. Cranij, vel ossium Humanorum.
And all Sorts of Volatile Salts of Bones and Bone-like Substances, or those sublim'd from other saline Bodies, as
Sal Salis Armon. Sal Urinae,
&c. and even
Sal Viperarum,
is not much cooler. This any one may satisfy himself in, who will but venture to tast them naked as they are. And must consequently create a Thirst, and are hardly in any Vehicle possible to be reconcil'd to the Taste or Stomach. But
Sal Succini
is really almost as cool as the most natural Elemental Salt, and even extinguishes Feverish Heats. In short, it is
Alexipharmick,
as it is an excellent Counterpoison; it is
Cephalick,
greatly relieving the Head, and the whole Nervous kind, and wonderfully reviving the Spirits at the same Time: It is
Diuretick
and
Diaphoretick,
in its provoking, and that gently, both Sweat and Urine: Nay, it prevents the other warm
Alexipharmicks
from acting in too inflamatory a Manner, and yet gives them Energy and Action. And further still, it guards and Defends the Brain from the
Deliriums, Stupors,
or any
Comatose
Affections, which the
Opium
might cause; so that thus taken, there is seldom any more than a gentle and refreshing Sleep produc'd; so absolutely necessary through all the Stages of the
Small-Pox.
I could here proceed to place it in Opposition to all the
Theriacalia
and
Bezoardica
whatever; but it would carry me too far; once for all I will say, that it is the best I ever made use of, neither have I in some Hundreds found it disagreeable to the Stomach or Head of any one.
The Proportion of the
Laudanum
may be observ'd to be about one Grain to
℈jj,
and thus it may be adapted to the smallest Infant, for if
℈jj
be mix'd with a Julep of Six Ounces, or that may consist of about Twelve Spoonfuls, one Spoonful at a Time will contain so little
Laudanum,
that not the least of any Danger can be apprehended from it; and with Truth, Confidence, and Experience I can attest, that as an
Anodyne
it far exceeds
Diacodium,
or any the mildest Opiats: Besides, it may be prepar'd without the
Laudanum;
but all this must be left to the Discretion of the attending Physician.
Whether it may be of Use in the Time of the Plague, should the Almighty for our Sins visit us with that dreadful Scourge, I must submit to the Learned of the Faculty. However, this in the mean time may be said, that it is conformable to what we find in Books written on that Subject by Physicians, who liv'd and practised in such Times, when this and other Nations were afflicted with the
Plague.
And is agreeable to the Measures now taken in
France
by the
French
Physicians, as they have communicated their way of proceeding to the World in
[The Succinct Account of the
Plague
at
Marseilles,
&c.
] Besides, the
Small-Pox
is truly accounted amongst Pestilential Fevers; and
Portus
with some others stick not to call it
Pestis Minoris Gradus,
a Pestilence of a lower Degree; and very properly they think, since from its manner of being communicated by Contagion; its too frequently fatal Event: the visible Malignity with which it sometimes in some Persons appears, together with many particular Analogical Symptoms, it resembles the
Plague
not a little. But this only by the by.
To proceed a little farther; the inventing of good efficacious Medicines, is the Duty and Business of every Physician, and the Interest of the Publick that he should make it so, and is well recommended by a late Ingenious Author in the following Words:
By Study and Practice (says he) the
Materia Medica
is improv'd and enlarg'd by the Addition of Efficacious Medicines, as well Simple as Compound, not known before, or not apply'd to such Uses for which they have been found to serve better than others in Use. For by every useful new Medicine so added, the Faculty is so much enlarg'd, and something contributed towards the common Benefit of Mankind.
Which is a general, and I think a sufficient Defence for the present Attempt in offering after this Manner, what (with some Confidence I hope) may be serviceable to the Publick in a dangerous Disease, and such an one from which this great Place, is seldom, if ever totally free, and which proves too generally fatal.
To conclude; these are the Measures I have taken, this is the Method I have constantly of late Years observ'd and follow'd; upon which I have had very great, I may say, unusual Success. And I can see no Reason why the same fairly and honestly applied, may not be as successful in the Hands of another as my own, for which Reason I make them Publick.
Let me throw one Word more into the Mouths of the Criticks, before they devour me, and I have done. It may be said, that what is contain'd in the Regimen, is mean, common, or trifling: To which I Answer, that if what is there is truly useful, as I am sure it is, the more common they are, the more practicable and intelligible they will certainly be; which I reckon as an Excellency, whatever others may do; and if a Man's Endeavours are but successful, he need not much care who acts in the more pompous Manner. But let us in this hear what our great Master the Divine
Hippocrates
says on that Head.
Ne Pigeat ex Plebiis Sciscitari, si quid ad Curationem utile.
Hippocrat. in Libro de Praeceptis.
A TREATISE OF THE
SMALL-POX: Address'd in a Letter to the very Learned Dr.
JOHN BATEMAN,
Fellow and Elect, and late President of the Royal College of Physicians.
Honour'd
SIR,
I Take the Liberty at last of publishing these few Pages, and giving them the Ornament of prefixing your Name to them. If there be any Thing that is Valuable in them in my own Estimation, it is contain'd in these two Particulars, the kind Opinion you are pleas'd to have of them, and the Good I hope they may be instrumental of in the Disease of which they treat.
Te Cernimus, Albi, Nostrorum Candide judex, Curantem quidquid dignum sapiente, Bono
que
est.
With all Submission I proceed to speak of the following Disease,
viz.
the
Small-Pox,
that is, of the Method I have taken in the curing of it. In which I shall be very short, as to the Definitions, Signs, Diognosticks, or other
; such Parts having been very copiously treated of by many great Authors, and in almost every Bodies Hands. The chief Stress of what I humbly propose, depending upon Historical Instances, and Matters of Fact: Not but it will be allow'd, and it frequently happens, that the Success of Medicines and their various and multiform manner of Use and Application, has given light into the Nature and Indoles of Diseases; as the Effect of several Parts of an Animal in Food or Medicine, hath been made use of to explain their Nature, and even exemplify the Parts of which they may consist; which may be seen in our two Famous Professors Dr.
Glisson
and Dr.
Willis,
the first in his
Anatomia,
Cap. vi. the other in many places of his
Anima Brutorum;
as also in Sir
George Ent,
Dr.
Morton,
and several others; so that Physiology and Practice thus attended to, may be observ'd to illustrate each other. And here, Sir, I must again beg your Pardon, that I shall be forced to place before you
Cramben Recoctam,
having already troubled you very much, with many of the Particulars I must here recount. But before I can come to them, I must speak to a General or two: The first of which is as to the general
Regimen
to be used, the Cold or the Hot, as they are generally and vulgarly distinguish'd.
For the First, Dr.
Sydenham
and his Followers strenously appear against the universal Practice of those that preceded him, as well as his Contemporaries; and I may say, against Nature her self: For tho' we may find interspers'd in their reciting the
Pharmaceutica,
sometimes what will seem to countenance the Cold Regimen, (in which the Countries and Climates where they practis'd might probably be a great Inducement) yet it is very plain, that they chiefly depended on
Alexipharmicks
and the warm Method.
Amatus Lusitanus,
who was as bold, I think, as any one in the Use of the
Refrigeria,
yet has in a
Scholium
these Words,
Quod variolarum & Morbillorum ad Cutem eruptio, quaedam a Natura non solum constituta, sed destinata Crisis sit: Consequens erit cum Hippocrate & Galeno asseverare; quod quando Natura eam conficere tentat, tunc Medicus Materiam fluere dispositam condensare, aut a viâ sua cohilere non debet; sed Magis ipsam disponere, ut per eam viam incedat per quam Natura expellere Conatur; juxta illud Hippoc. Quo Natura maxime vergit per loca conferentia, eo ducere.
I must confess, this
Scholium
is hardly to be reconcil'd with his Practice, either in the Precedent, or following
Curatio;
in this last, he tells us, that being sent for to a Boy blind for Three Days of the
Small-Pox,
which he mentions as an extraordinary Occurrence, he immediately fell to washing and other Applications to his Eyes, and with great Pleasure acquaints his Reader,
ex tenebris Puer ipse revocatus.
This would be mad Practice in
England,
whatever it was in
Tuscany;
but this I mention to shew, how little (as I said before) is to be depended on Cases Historically only related: And that in different Climates, it is not the discordant Opinions Physicians maintain against each other; but there is a Necessity for that very Reason to take Measures somewhat different.
Reverius
declares for the
Alexipharmicks,
and the warm Regimen,
Primo ut Aeger in loco Calidiusculo detineatur, quo Pori Cutis aperiantur, & variolarum Eruptio adjuvetur,
&c. I forbear quoting that celebrated Practiser at length, that I may be as little troublesome as possible, and being of no great Consequence to the Readers I chiefly intend this for. The same Thing might be repeated out of all the Authors of any Consideration, or Antiquity, which would be as Nauseous, as it would be Endless. The Mischief which has arisen is this; that in Practice, while there have been Endeavours used towards an Inprovement, some have advanc'd from a Genial necessary Warmth to almost actual Fire; and instead of keeping the cold destructive Air out, have perfectly suffocated the poor Patients, by letting them have none at all; making at the same Time such vast Fires (whatever be the Temper of the Air, or of the Sick Person) which cause Faintings with other Irregularities coincident with it. And on the other Hand, I shall take the Liberty to say, that the Reformers have started so far out of that Method, in order to distinguish themselves by their new Discoveries in disavowing the Warm Regimen; that one would think there's no being Cool or Refreshing for the Patient without Freezing. Let me therefore beg leave to follow the Celebrated Dr.
Morton,
whose Practice is Regular and Rational, and whose Success was Answerable. He positively declares for the Warm; and both throughout his Precedent Rationale, as well as in the subsequent Histories, reprehends the contrary Proceeding; which he deliberately confutes, and descends even to mention the
Materia
made use of in the Cold Regimen; such as
Spiritus vitrioli, Decoctum Album, Diacodium,
and the like; nay, he says, that he was inform'd Dr.
Sydenham
himself had towards the latter Part of his Life gone off from that Opinion. Be that as it will, he was in the wrong, as Dr.
Morton
thought, and will appear more to be so, if we take but very little Pains to consider the Aetiology of the Disease it self, or the Operations of Nature under it. For what is it that Nature is doing, or how can she perform that visible
Diaploresis,
(if I may so call the Eruption) but by a Warmth somewhat higher than her constant Tenor; so that she acts her self in the
Alexipharmick
way; and that must beyond Contradiction be the right. Could we either substitute any other Discharge to carry off by it with safety the repell'd Morbid Humours, or if ever a Sudorifick, or Expulsive Operation (of that kind) could be perform'd, without the Constitution being somewhat more than commonly warm; there would be room to say something; but when this can never be, which must be confess'd by all, there will need but very little Argument or Persuasion, to direct us which of the two Regimens ought to be chosen. And yet, notwithstanding the apparency of the Case, there are still some so blindly devoted to the following that otherwise great Man; and even notwithstanding their own ill Success, they go on in a supine, fatal Bigotry, and Dependance on his Word; and think that
Sydenham
's Name is sufficient to shelter, and justify their own Inattention to Nature herself. Insomuch that I have heard it (with some Pain) affirm'd, that
Diacodium
was the
Panacea,
which would do every Thing, and that nothing could be done well without it: That it was in the
Small-Pox,
like the
Cortex
in intermitting Fevers,
&c.
and however diversified the Disease might be, it has been, upon the ill Success of the first, doubled and trebled, and given the Patient without the least Guard.
Diacodium
is questionless sometimes a proper, as it is a Pacifick Medicine. But suppose we meet with a Comatose sleepy Disposition in the Beginning, and it should attend the Distemper in the other Stages, which in Flegmatick Pituitose Habits is very frequent; must we still proceed to give this Roapy
Opiat?
Why, yes, if we believe the Sophistry above, and which I have known pursued as long as Nature has lasted. But enough of this unwelcome Subject.
The next General I shall trouble you with is Blood-letting. Tho' indeed, I think it ought not to be term'd a General, it being impossible, but that it must be destructive in many Cases, and I believe very dubious in its Success in any. There is a Question, Sir, I have wanted long to be resolv'd, and is as difficult to state, I believe as to resolve. I have in debating occasionally, whether Bleeding were generally good in the
Small-Pox,
heard it affirm'd, that it certainly was, if timely administer'd: The same Affirmation I have under the Hands of some Men Eminent in Practice; we find it likewise in many celebrated Authors already extant among us. As to the Time, it is agreed as soon as possible, at least before the Eruption is in any Measure perform'd; the Reasons alledg'd are, that it gives some remission to the excruciating Pains, and even diminishes the Morbid Matter; so that the Enemy being weaken'd, Nature must be the better enabled to withstand the remaining Force. Before I come to expostualte on the Particulars, give me leave to suggest, First, that it may be frequently observ'd, that the
Small-Pox
in some Families is very signally, and as it were Hereditarily Fatal. This we find both Dr.
Sydenham
and Dr.
Morton
have observ'd, and granted. Suppose then, Secondly, That in one Family Three Children of the same Father and Mother should be treated in the
Sydenhamian
Way: The first is blooded, has the benign, distinct sort of the
Small-Pox,
and does well. The next after the same manner is Blooded, has the Confluent, malign sort, and dies. The Third under the same Administration of Bleeding, upon which appear the
Maculae Nigrae, Lividae, Purpureae,
&c. and Nature under so miserable a Prostration of Spirits, that she quite gives up the Contention; and yet for any Thing that could be seen or apprehended, this last might have been the distinct kind, which as Histories are two to one. Such Events as these ought certainly to put us to a stand; and for the Truth of the Facts, I can produce undeniable Evidence; but wave it here, because I would not revive the Grief of those, who make but too severe Remarks upon the Proceeding. What Measures therefore, Good Sir, must we take? Will the taking of Blood away, alter the Indoles of the Disease from the Malignant or Confluent kind, to the Benign and Discreet sort; if so, it ought in all Subjects, and on all Occasions to be used; and this is what they mean, by saying it will lessen the Quantity, or for my Part I know not what to make on't: But if this be difficult and uncertain, nay, I will say impossible to make apparent; then they put Persons on a very great Hazard, who make use of such dangerous Methods by weakening Nature, and in no respect lessening the Disease: Which Charge, however severe and heavy, must in the general be confess'd to be true. For here, by the way, I must take so much Liberty, strongly to presume, that the kind of the Disease, in respect to its degree, is determin'd upon the first imparting of the Contagion: Tho' out of doubt, the Disposition the Blood and other Juices of the Body are in at that Time, does strongly dispose to one or the other; such as was before said, the inherent Crasis of the Blood and Spirits, in respect to the Parents we are Descendants of, violent Exercise, hard Drinking, or other crapulous Disorders, and the like; which not only expose us the sooner to the receiving the Infection (as is vulgarly and truly express'd) but the Poisonous
Miasmata
of the Disease, are immediately imparted to every Particle of the Fluids, being thus made susceptible of them; and thus the Confluent kind of the
Small-Pox
is form'd, and as I said, determin'd, before it is possible to adminster any Remedy. So that except by Bleeding we can undertake to change the very Indoles of the Disease, even after it is form'd, tho' not render'd Visible, which I believe is impossible; we shall be in Danger of adding to the Disease, and abstracting from the Strength of the Patient. For 'twill hardly ever be found, that the taking of Blood away, can restore it, from a Fusion to its natural Crasis, that is, the
Sphaerical
red Parts, to their just Magnitude, and the rest, of what Denomination soever, to their Natural Size, Figure, and Cohesion
See Dr.
Morton
's Eleventh Hist.
. By the Loss of Blood, 'tis well known, that the Mass is attenuated; and for that very Reason is Phlebotomy administred in many Instances, as in Pleurisies, the
Malacia, &c.
that so there may be more room for the Heart in its Pulses, to dash and toss, as it were, the Blood, by which Action the Lentor or too cohaesive Parts may be divided into smaller Portions. To this I must add, that
Haemorrhages,
from whatever Part they flow, are not occasion'd, at least very rarely, from a
Plethora
simply so call'd, or from the Strength and Force of the Pulse; for then the most robust Animals, and those that use the most violent Exercise, would be most liable to them, either Man or Beast; which is hardly ever observable: But most frequently from the
Prava Diathesis
of the Blood it self in the Loosening of its Texture; so that in passing the Capillaries, it is as it were percolated through 'em, or render'd so keen, that it breaks, and, as it were, eats through. For a Confirmation of which, I appeal to Dr.
Lower
's Book
de Corde.
And where such Symptoms attend the Beginning of the
Small-Pox,
Bleeding is seldom, I believe I might say never, of any Service. But Blisters are of excellent Use, which is the next General.
Two Questions therefore, I think, arise from these few last Periods.
First,
Whether the
Indoles,
that is, the Sort or Kind of the
Small-Pox
be determin'd in each individual Person upon the very first Attack of the Infection.
Secondly,
Whether it be possible by any Administration, especially Bleeding, to make any Alteration or Mutation from Bad to Good, from the Confluent to the Discrete Kind.
You see, Sir, my Opinion by what has been already said, which I very humbly submit to better Judgments.
At the End of the precedent Paragraph I have said, that Blisters are good in removing, or putting a Stop to that mischievous Symptom, namely, the
Haemorrhages
that frequently attend the Beginnings of the
Small-Pox.
These sometimes appear, even before any other Signs, and prevent the Struggle Nature generally makes to throw off the Disease from the Center to the
Peripheria
Dr.
Morton
's Seventh Hist.
. Sometimes Bleeding at the Nose, Spitting of Blood, or an immoderate Flux of the
Menses,
appear just at the Eruption; by which Nature in that necessary Effort is so debilitated, that she can't perform, nor go through that Task; and then the Enemy again retires to the Vitals, and acts all imaginable Mischief. I am well aware what
Botallus
and many others say, that the Loss of Blood will not produce the Effect here charg'd; but I must desire to be excus'd, from resigning my Sense and Reason; both which I must do, should I make any Doubt of the retiring of the poisonous Particles of this Disease; when upon the Loss of Blood, I see the Humours secreted from the Blood disappear, and a visible Paleness spread in its stead, both on the Face, and all over the Body, which no one can deny, who has made any Number of regular Observations. But to return to Blisters. These Bleedings, as I said before, being occasion'd by the dissolvent Pestilential Particles in the Serum of the Blood, breaking and dividing the Red Globules into a preternatural Smalness, and by that putting the Blood into a Fusion, forces it through the Capillary Branches of the Blood-Vessels: But the Blisters drawing off Part of this Saline, Deleterious Serum, by abating its Quantity, the Globules aforesaid are at Liberty to attract each other, and by that means to form themselves into their genial and natural Size; and so the Symptom ceases: For I have had frequent Occasion to observe in Persons that have been seiz'd with the most violent Effusion of Blood, that as soon as the Serum has begun to fill the Blister-Bladder, the Bleeding has constantly ceased. And thus even the Quantity of the peccant Matter may be said to be diminish'd. But where Persons are averse to Blisters, as too frequently they are, we need not be entirely at a Loss, nor have recourse to that desperate Expedient of Phlebotomy; for I do assure you the Powder does it as certainly, and after a manner (as I suppose) much like the Blisters; for by very soon procuring a
Diaphoresis,
the morbid Matter is brought to the Exteriors, and by Sweat the Deleterious Serum lessen'd.
And here, by the way, give me Leave to say, with great Submission, that I take the Blood to be the first
Nidus
of the contagious Particles, and not the Spirits, as Dr.
Morton
asserts; for as the Matter which fills the Blisters, and also what fills the Pustles of the
Small-Pox,
are Secretions directly from the Blood; it is but reasonable, I think, to conclude, that the
Fomes
or
Pena
is there for both. Besides, as the Spirits are form'd from the finer Parts of the Blood, and constantly receive their Supply and Restoration from that Magazine; so it is but natural to conclude, (till the contrary can be demonstrated) that what Detriment, Labefaction, or Pollution soever they receive, must be communicated the same way. As to the Quickness of its Communication, that can be no Objection to any one, that considers the Pulse of the Heart and Arteries, and the Motion of the Blood in them; so that it requires but a very few Minutes, after the receiving of the Infectious
Lentor
into the Blood, before it may by stopping in the fine Capillaries of the
Meninges,
Brain, and Spinal Marrow, give Occasion to all those violent Orgasms exercis'd, and communicated through the whole
Systasis Nervosa;
and which, while loosely carry'd in the
Rivus
of the Blood, has little Opportunity of exerting those excruciating and dolorous Sensations. And farther still, it may be made almost a daily Observation, that Persons having been conversant in Places infected, have remov'd to others free of the Disease; yet after many Days the Insults of the Disease have begun upon the Nerves, which is a pretty plain Instance. But this by the by. However, when we come to consider the Distemper once form'd as Physicians, the Spirits have their Share, and suffer violently; and except we consider the Blood and Spirits in this complex View, we shall never discover the true curative Indications; which is what I come now to speak of, and shall do it in a very few Words.
Without repeating what has been already said, the Oppression of the Spirits, the
Diathesis
the Blood is then in, and the Nature of the Disease, shew, I think, the Necessity of Proceeding in the
Alexipharmick
Way, by promoting a general
Diapheresis
in a gentle manner, by such Medicines as will invigorate the Nerves and Spirits, by fitting them for, as well as putting them upon Action; and at the same time promote a Sudoriferous Perspiration over the whole Body: So that Neurotick, Volatil, Cephalick Medicines, mix'd with Anodines, and such as will cause Sweat without an Inflamation, (all which is to be obtain'd by a Right proceeding, and the
Alexipharmacon
here proposed) is, and must surely be acknowledg'd to be the regular Way and Means of assisting Nature in this Exigency. I have often wonder'd to find so few of that Class of Medicines, call'd Cephalicks, in the
Materia
of Dr.
Morton,
who proceeds on such Principles in affirming the first Attacks to be made upon the Nerves, and their Propagines; for want of which, many of the noblest
Alexipharmicks
are render'd not only ineffectual, but hurtful, by doing nothing else than inflaming the Blood, and scorching the Vitals, such as Saffron,
Rad. Serpent.
&c. The like Mischief may be charg'd upon Opiates simply given, without the Guard of Volatil Medicines to attend them; which stop and impede Nature in the Discharge; and instead of procuring that gentle Requies and Refreshment of Sleep, so absolutely necessary in the
Small-Pox,
cause horrible Deliriums, Convulsions,
&c.
But that I may give you no farther Trouble, I proceed now to lay before you the Series of the Cure, a Method I have (by God's Blessing) found more than commonly successful.
As soon as there is any Suspicion of the
Small-Pox,
let the Person attack'd go immediately to Bed, and endeavour, if possible, to get some Sleep: Towards the attaining of which, let there be kept the profoundest Silence; (which is a Rule to be observ'd through the whole Course of the Disease:) For it is hardly to be imagin'd, what inexpressible Disadvantages sick Persons labour under, and what Symptomatick Mischiefs they heap upon themselves, by striving (as they call it) against the Disease: By going into the Air, they sometimes repel the morbid Humours to the Vitals; which may be done even before there be any visible Appearance of them upon the Surface of the Body. Others by Exercise, Diversion, hard Drinking, and the like, thinking to divert, greatly increase the Disease. Which can be of no Advantage in the Beginning of any Fever, but in this does often prove pernicious. Let the Patient be cover'd with as many Cloaths as may reasonably be suppos'd will produce such a Warmth, as is natural, acceptable, and pleasant in the Winter, and no farther. If the Pains and unquiet Tossings be such, that no Rest can be obtain'd without Help; at the End of Twelve Hours from the first Attack, and not sooner without apparent Necessity, let the following Draught be taken.
℞
Aq. Lactis Alexit. Germ. Querc.
ā ℥j.
Theriacal.
ʒ vj.
Pulv. Alex. nostri
ʒ ss
vel
℈ij.
Syr. de Aurantiis
℥ss
Ms. f. Haust.
And let it be repeated every Eight Hours. But if there be violent Symptoms, such as Bleeding at the Nose or Mouth,
Fluxus Mensium immodicus vel praematurus,
excruciating Pains, Watching, or the like, it may be repeated every Six or every Four Hours. The precedent Dose is fitted for Adult Persons: But for Children of one, two, or three Years old, five Grains is sufficient; and to be repeated according to the Age and Strength of the Patient, or the Quantity each time given. The Vehicle above-mention'd is what I generally make use of; but the Powder may be given in a little Syrup, small Sack-Whey, or any thing else, except
Diacodium.
If the sick Persons are able, let them be help'd out of Bed once every Day; but in this, let their own Desires, join'd with common Prudence, be the Rule; for no other can be set.
The next thing to be consider'd, is the Quantity of Liquids to be allow'd. I am not for such large Quantities of Malted Liquors, I mean Small Beer, as is generally in present Practice admitted; neither am I totally for denying them. But a Decoction of Figs with some
Cochineel,
and inspirited with some small Portion of right good Canary, I permit in good Plenty almost to the Patient's Choice. As,
℞
Ficuum Pinginum
lbss
Cochinel.
ʒ ss.
coqr. in aq. Fontan. s. q. ad
lbij
sub finem addendo Vini Canarij
℥iiij
plùs minusvè Bulliant semel tum adde Syr. de Rubo Ideo
℥ss
fiat Apozema & refrigeratum libat ad Libitum.
This Liquor exceeds any that I have known made use of; for it keeps the Throat and Passages of the Lungs free and open, gently promotes the Eruption; at the same time that it exhilerates the Spirits, and abates the Thirst: And I have not among some Hundreds met with any one Person, but was pleas'd with it. For in Small Beer, there is generally in Fevers a most unwelcome Clamminess succeeding the drinking of it.
When the Eurption is perfected, so that the first Symptoms are abated, the Draught above-mention'd need be repeated but every Night at the Hour of Rest; nor even then if there be a Natural Propensity to sleep, and the
Small-Pox,
be of the mild distinct Kind, (yet I always advise to have it in
promptu);
but in the Confluent Kind I think it ought to be taken every twentyfour Hours at least, through the whole Course of the Disease. When the time of Maturation, or according to the Vulgar Idiom, the filling and ripening of the Pustles commences; which according to Dr.
Morton,
may be reckon'd to begin about three Days after the total Eruption; the foresaid Draught is certainly necessary to be taken twice every Twenty-four Hours: And then I do very much recommend the drinking of large Quantities of what we call Milk-Porridge, made after this Manner: The Oatmeal being finely fifted may be boil'd in a due Quantity of Water for Half an Hour, or very little more, then add a Third Part of New Milk, and just give it one Boil so as to mix it well together, and 'tis enough. This I order sometimes to be taken Hot as
Tea
or
Coffee,
thus taken it will keep the Passages of the Throat clear; and frequently as I have observ'd, will make the Scabs of the
Small-Pox,
which are engag'd in the Passages scale off, and come away. At other Times to drink a good Draught of the same very near Cold, and sometimes to be taken warm as Food. This smooth mild
Pabulum
cloaths, and indeed does as it were digest the
Ichorous Serum
of the Blood, to which
Diathesis
in the confluent Kind it is very much disposed, and supplies it with a soft Chylose Matter, wherewith to fill the Pustles. It likewise supplies the Salivation, where it happens with a proper Fluid, gently raises it when it abates, and keeps up the necessary Tumesactions of the Extremities. It may be also a reasonable Means to prevent any Tabid or Consumptive Dispositions, which are here frequently founded: And I have always observ'd the Patients very soon recover their Strength, who have plentifully taken of this simple innocent Food. In the mean time, the Decoction of the Figs is not to be omitted being sometimes taken.
Thus, Sir, am I come to the last Stage, the Crisis and Declination of the Disease, which is attended with less or more Difficulty, according as the Precedent have been treated; and in which I have found little trouble, where I have had the Opportunity of directing its setting out; and even still are the
Alexipharmicks
to be used, tho' at greater Distances, so that I recommend the same Draught every Night, then every other Night, and so to be left off. I confess at this time, too frequently appears the direful Symptons in the confluent Kind, and require the utmost Penetration to find out Means to assist Nature, that she may defend her self against this last Assault. As for Bleeding, I hope, such Adventrous Undertakings are quite out of Thought. And really, Sir, I have not been able to collect any great Advantage even from Blisters as commonly directed, that is on any other Part of the Body except the Head; for at this time the chief Intention is to stimulate Nature in her several Offices to act the remaining Part with some Vigor. Neither have I found there has been any reason to boast of the good Consequences, though the Blisters have had their common Effect; for there having been so vast an Expence of Juices already, there is apt to follow Deliquiums, and a great Prostration of Spirits upon this second additional Discharge; but Blisters on the Head, from whose Office we expect little more than to excite and stir up the remaining Force, are, and have been of excellent Use. Nay, Sir, I have made use, I do assure you, of actual Fire upon the Head, and visibly, under God, deliver'd two Persons who were in the very Article, when all was thrown up, and others had withdrawn themselves, and nothing but Death expected every Moment. But where the Use of this, by reason of its seeming Severity, should be deny'd the Physician, instead of it I advise, that after as much Hair of the Head can be taken off, as the present Urgency will admit of (tho' I always order that to be done at the beginning of the Disease) then to fill a Broad, Thin, Linnen Bag, with bruised Cantharides, and having dipp'd it into boiling Vinegar, to lay it almost scalding Hot upon the Head. This, I confess, I never had occasion to make Tryal of but once, and then 'twas with evident Success, the Person being now living, but especial Care must be taken to see the Bag keeps warm, for if it turn cold it may prove mischievous.
Having thus far spoken of the
Small Pox,
in regard to Persons that may be Patients under it, in an indifferent and general Manner; I now intreat your Permission, Good Sir, to speak of Women with Child, who are afflicted with that Disease, singularly, and in a Place by themselves; their Condition having been always look'd on as full of Hazard upon many Accounts; and for whose Sake chiefly you have all this Trouble, and the present Publication (if it may be so) is made to the World. Not but that the Distemper is the same in every respect that regards it self, and must be generally so treated. But the sad Fatality which so commonly attends these poor People at that time; the considering that Two Lives are included in one Individual, and therefore that one Fate must attend them, and both be sav'd or lost together; with other Circumstances, which too often go along with it, that it most frequently happens on a Woman's first Pregnancy; so that the Expectations of a Family on one Side are certainly extinct, and sometimes it hath fallen out that both have been.
These and other moving Incidents put me upon the utmost Stress of considering their Cases, with the greatest and most heedful Attention I was Master of. And I do here, and ever must with all the Gratitude of my Soul, acknowledge and adore the Divine Goodness on these poor Endeavours; and which I hope are agreeable to the Proceedure of Nature, and the
Ars Medica,
by what follows.
Here I must again inculcate, as I must on all Occasions, that the strict Enquiry into the Animal Oeconomy is and has been the just, regular, and only Means for discovering useful Remedies; at least the proper Way of rendring any of the Particulars of the
Materia Medica
rationally, and therefore as constantly successful as the Strength of the Disease, or the Weakness of Humanity will admit of. Thus Dr.
Herman Grabe
puts it into a Kind of exemplary Method; and in distinct Chapters tells us, what Ways we are to take, if ever we intend or desire to make any commendable Discoveries in Chirurgery or Pharmacy; and therefore proposes to our Imitation, the Examples of the most considerable Physiologists of the Time he liv'd in, or a little before it; beginning at our Great Countryman Dr.
Harvey,
and instances in many Particulars, what Light the Knowledge of the Circulation of the Blood has given to the Pathology of Diseases, and the Secrets that may be disclosed from the Observations thereon. He proceeds afterward to the Discoveries made by
Bartholine, Wharton, Steno, Sylvius,
and
Willis;
and severally hinting, what useful Inventions have been, and still may be made for the Good of Mankind by following their Pattern, which he presses very earnestly to all the Practisers in that noble Art. And here I beg you will indulge me so far, to affirm to you, that if there be any thing valuable in what I now lay before you, it is owing to the considering the Parts of a Gravid Female more intimately than ordinary, at the Time when these Parts of the Kingdom were
with the
Small-Pox.
And finding so little Encouragement; and on the contrary, so much Forbiddance in the Success of the common Procedure, either in Books or Observation; there seem'd to me to be a Kind of tacit Demand made by the tender Sex upon all the Practisers in the Science, to have their Case peculiarly consider'd.
To speak first in general, and to consider, that Nature is then intent upon the great Work of propagating and perpetuating herself in the Species: And that this is a Task the most arduous in its Performance of all natural Functions, is sufficiently observable from the great Turn, and, as it were, Revolution made in the Constitution. Not to entertain you with the shocking Expressions of the Act of Generation, though really observable enough, but the Consequences of it. Upon the first setting out of the
Primordia
of Conception, the
Menses
are intercepted; so that the Blood, Spirits, Lymph, and the whole
Genus fluidum
of the System take a new Turn; and this not purely for the Nutrition of the but just conceiv'd
Faetus,
which it does not, nor is it possible it should receive the thousandth Part, but for many other Uses and Reasons, and for this general one amongst the rest, because she would not admit of any Avocation, or Interruption in this so great an Undertaking. And we almost always see, that Miscarriages (not to speak of the Loss of the
Embryo,
which however ought to be consider'd, and seems to be a Duty imply'd in our Oaths) are incomparably more full of Danger, and ruinous, even to the Health of the Mother, than natural and timely Births. And this, I suppose, no one will put me upon proving, when Nature, and every Day's Experience, manifests it to the most superficial Observation. But when to this is added, the violent Insults of a little less than Pestilential Fever; when she is forced from this her grand Intention, call'd off and diverted to contend with what is so frequently too strong of it self, and which God in his merciful Administration and Providence has so order'd, that human Nature is rarely, if ever, more than once in each Individual subjected to it. When to these general Disadvantages, so considerable a Part of the Mother, as the
Foetus,
when of any Magnitude, must be accounted, is in Danger, if not timely prevented, of being torn from her; by which so great an Effusion of Blood, and other Fluids, such an Exhaustion of Spirits must immediately follow: What Intenseness of Thought and Sedulity must these Considerations raise in every one, that desires, or intends to make himself serviceable in his Employ, to which he has assign'd himself, and is, as it were, elected? Upon such like Observations as these, I thought my self excusable, if I took a Method somewhat peculiar, to prevent, if possible, that which might be otherwise destructive of the Mother and Offspring; and without this being done, every Day's sad Experience sufficiently shews, that both must generally be lost together. To detain you therefore no longer; As soon as ever I have been call'd to a Woman with Child, and there has been Reason to believe she would be seiz'd with the
Small-Pox;
as by the usual Symptoms in the Person her self, or the Place where she lives being visited, together with her own Fears and Apprehensions being strongly employ'd or affected; in such a Case, without staying for the appearing of any other Sign, to make the Diagnostick certain, I always give something to prevent Miscarriage; and in this, I dare presume you, Sir, will agree with me, that I am regularly discharging my Duty, because such Administration can have no Male-Tendency: Besides, the
Lucta
is so great, the Convulsion frequently so violent, at the same time that the poisonous
Miasmata
are making their Insults upon the Internals before the Eruption, that the
Placenta
is in great Danger of being very much loosen'd, if not immediately torn and divided from the Mother; upon which, all the Symptoms before recited, and many more, must be exasperated. And under this Oppression, while Nature is held in this unhappy Dilemma of attending one or the other, either to expel the Disease, or preserve the
Embryo,
and is not able to perform both; during the Hesitation, both Mother and Child are in the most eminent Danger of being lost: Immediately therefore I order the following
Bolus
and Draught.
℞
Pulv. Rad. Tormentil.
ʒ ss
Bistort. gr.
x.
cort. Cinnamon. gr.
vij.
Cons. Cynosbat.
℈ij.
Syr. de Rosis siccis q. s. f. Bolus. Quem capiat Aegra quamprimum & superbibat Haustum sequentem.
℞
Aq. Cinnamon. hordeat
℥iss.
Theriacal.
ʒ vj.
Pulv. è Chel. cancror. Simp.
℈j.
Sachar. Alb. q. s. f. haust.
After this has been taken about Two Hours, I then order the
Alexipharmick
Draught before-mention'd. In which you see, I regard both the Pregnancy of the Mother, as well as endeavour to get the Enemy at the same time remov'd to that convenient Distance from the Vitals, that we may with some tolerable Safety parly with him. The
Bolus
and Draught against Abortion, I certainly repeat at the End of four Hours after taking the first; but then omit it for twelve Hours, except some peculiar Reasons from the Patient oblige me to repeat it sooner. The Signs of an approaching Miscarriage, and that of the natural Birth being so very like, and Women being so abundantly sensible of the Particularities in that Case, I need not take up any room here in reciting them: Upon which Occasions and Informations, I repeat the
Bolus
and Draught every three, four, or five Hours, as Need shall require; the Persen herself being kept in Bed in the most quiet Disposition and Posture that is possible, till these threatning Signs abate. For at this time I am so intent on tying, as it were, all things fast in the Communication between the Mother and
Foetus,
that in truth I think nothing safe, or like to be so, till that great Point is secur'd; and that the foremention'd
Bolus,
or the
Rad. Tormentil.
(in what Form the Physician shall think fit, or the Prtient can best take it) will do; at least I never yet knew it fail. But still I would have the Decoction of Figs before spoken of, in proper Intervals freely used (and likewise the
Alexipharmick
Draught sometimes) as being what will dilute the Fervency of the Blood, and help to break and divide the morbid and peccant Matter from it, and is a good
Diaphoretick
besides. After this, I generally repeat the two Medicines against Abortion once every Twenty four Hours, as there is Opportunity, so as not to interfere with the Medicines necessary to bring forward the general Disease. But however, when that is near the State, and grows towards a Crisis, I never omit giving it twice at least in Twenty four Hours. After that is over, I withdraw those restringent Medicines to once in that Time: Then to once in Two natural Days; and then to once in three or four Days. But if the Disease be of the mildest Kind, then neither this, nor any other Medicine, directed to what Intention soever, need be so frequently repeated. But if it be of the Confluent, or even of the Cohaerent Kind, if we keep not upon the Guard, we shall be in Danger of being surprized; for in such Kind of Fevers that are, or are near like Pestilential, there is such Relaxation, or, may I not call it, a Dissolution in all the Juices, and also in the internal Membranes, that they too frequently fall, as it were, in sunder; and thus sometimes disappoint us in our most confident and sanguine Expectation. When the Crisis is pass'd, and all the Symptoms much abated, and Nature under a sensible Alleviation and Refreshment, we may with Reason believe the Patient out of Danger, consider'd singly in the Mother; so that the
Embryo
ought now to be our peculiar Regard. As soon therefore as it is manifest that it may be done without Hazard, I would have the inferior Intestines empty'd of the
Faeces
by the common domestick Clister of Milk and Sugar. The same may be repeated the next Day; and then intermitting a Day, it may be again made use of, if the Strength of the Patient will admit of it. But I do positively declare against any purging Medicine being taken at the Mouth by Women with Child; because it puts the Child into the utmost Danger of being expell'd before its time: Of which, with Permission, I shall give you Two pretty plain Instances.
A Gentlewoman of this Town, who had the
Small-Pox
in the mildest manner imaginable, so that there was little or no Occasion for any Assistance on any respect whatever, was (tho' with Child) treated at the latter End, as in common Cases, with purging Medicines, by which (in her own Opinion, and also in that of most about her) she miscarry'd. Again:
Mrs.
Snow,
a Gentlewoman who was most severely handled, as by her Case hereafter recited appears, upon her Recovery from the utmost Danger, was so prepossess'd with the Necessity of being purg'd after such a Disease, that notwithstanding all I could say, would not be prevail'd with, but purg'd she would be. I order'd her nothing else but
℞
Mannae, Sal Cathartic. Glauberaa.
℥ss. to be taken in Gruel; by which she had Five moderate Stools: Yet even this caused in the Child such tremulous, fluttering and disorder'd Motions, and in her self such parturient Pains, that without waiting to know whether the Purge had finish'd its full Operation, I was necessitated to give the Draught and
Bolus
against Abortion: Upon which she was abundantly convinced, and desir'd she might have no more Purges. Neither indeed had she any more, nor any one else with whom I was concern'd, who were with Child, any thing of that Kind, but the Clister before-mentioned, till after the Time of their Delivery. They and their Children are all alive, and in perfect Health, (Mrs.
Dove
being long since safely deliver'd.) And more I think I need not urge. I only therefore beg your Patience for one Word more of Comfort to Women with Child. And pardon, I intreat you, good Sir, any seeming Vanity in it. As I have laid their Case, as well as I can, before you, I may with some Assurance, as well as Pleasure, say, that thus consider'd, their Condition is even not so dangerous as other Women: For it is observ'd by Authors, and may be so very often in our own Practice, that the Proceeding and Advance of the Disease, and its Cure, is interrupted by the Menstruation of Female Patients, even in their timely and regular manner; and is enumerated
Marton,
Cap. 3. P. 207.
as one singular Disadvantage in their Case, and is much worse when (as it frequently happens) it appears before its Time. For a Confirmation of what I now say, I refer my self to Dr.
Morton
's Historical Observations in the 9th, 18th, 36th, 37th, 41st, 52d Histories of
Puretology.
And for the unhappy Events subsequent on Abortions, the 43d and 44th Histories of the same Author are sufficient Testimonies. I shall add but this one general Observation more, on which it cannot but be imagin'd I must reflect with some Satisfaction, that during the Continuance of the
Small-Pox
in these Parts, there was not one Person with Child, for whom I was consulted, whom I treated not in the Method above describ'd; and not one of them but is now alive, and so are their Children: Except Mrs.
Withnoe
's, which liv'd above a Fortnight, and then I believe died on the first Insults of the
Small-Pox;
there being a Necessity, by reason of the weak Condition of the Mother, and other Disorders of the Family, to keep it constantly in a Room, where Three others lay miserably afflicted of the Confluent Sort of
Small-Pox.
And I can't learn from the strictest Enquiry I have made, that any escap'd that were not thus dealt withal; but both miscarried and died, except the Gentlewoman before hinted at, who only miscarry'd upon her being purg'd after the Disease.
After what has been said, I shall take Leave to lay before you some Historical Cases: Which I hope, Sir, will not only seem excusable, but necessary, and even incumbent on me; that so any Person may be satisfied, that shall think fit to enquire into the Truth of the Relations from the Persons themselves.
The First
CASE.
A Servant-Maid of Mrs.
Blythe,
at the
Red Lion
in
Stamford,
was seiz'd on the 14th of
April,
1715. with Vomiting, a racking Pain in her Head, Back, and Loins; which after about four Hours remitted, and she was able, though very weakly, to attend the Business of the House. On the 15th her Pains return'd, when I was sent for; and enquiring whether she had had the
Small-Pox
before, and being answer'd in the Negative, I told them there was great Reason to believe she now would. Presently after the
Menses
broke somewhat before the natural Time in a pretty large manner, at which the Patient was greatly terrified. At Night they remov'd her, with great Care, to another Part of the Town; and shewing a great Disinclination to the taking of any Medicine, from a covetous Fear, as I perceiv'd, of the Charge, I left her without any. On the 16th, very early in the Morning, Mrs.
Blythe
came to me, told me that her Maid was dying, and that the
Menses
flow'd from her like the Floodings of a Woman after Delivery. I found her indeed in a very weak Condition, her Pulse quick and low, her self very short breathing, and in frequent
Deliquiums.
I order'd her to take the
Alexipharmick
Draught immediately, and to be repeated every four Hours for three times; for she had got no Sleep, and at the same time a large Blister to be laid to her Neck. At Night I found her much refresh'd, and the
Small-Pox
beginning to appear in large Spots on several Parts, as the Confluent Kind generally does: the
Fluxus Catmeniorum
was somewhat restrain'd. I order'd the same Draught to be repeated at the Hour of Rest; and the Blister, which had been neglected, to be apply'd. On the 17th, in the Morning, I found the Eruption general, the Patient had taken pretty good Rest, and the
Delirium,
which had before at intermitting times tormented her, gone off. The
Menstrua
still continued, and this Day more than that before. But the Blister, through the stupid Conceitedness of a poor ignorant Nurse, was not yet apply'd; and finding there was no Dependance on her, I laid it on with my own Hands, and repeated the same Draught as before. At Night I found all things much amended, the
Menses
stopp'd, the Eruption come much forward, the Blister having taken a full Effect, and the Patient, after a good Sleep, much refresh'd. I continued the Use of the Draught every Night only, till near the Crisis, and then repeated it Night and Morning for three or four Days. All this Time she took plentifully of the Decoction of Figs; and towards the Time of ripening, very freely of Milk-Porridge: And thus, by God's Blessing, under many Disadvantages, she perfectly recover'd.
The Second
CASE.
In
August,
1715. The Wife of
William Weight
of
Uffington
near
Stamford,
was seiz'd with the
Small-Pox.
On the Fifth Day of the Disease, and second of the Eruption, I was sent for, by which time it sufficiently appear'd to be the confluent Kind. She had for Twelve Hours been tormented with a violent Looseness, and Griping before I came to her; and was now at every Stool Fainting and Swooning: Upon her Breast, Arms, and many other Parts, appear'd Black, and Livid Spots; which I shewed her Sister, who expressed a most tender Care and Concern for her; at the same time telling her how little Hopes there was of the Patient. This was the 21st of the Month, and about Noon I order'd her the Draught, with ℈ij. of the
Alexipharmick
Powder to be presently taken, and stay'd by her to see the Event. In about an Hour an Half the
Lax
seem'd to be stopp'd, and she fell into a Sleep for almost an Hour. She had no
Delirium,
but at the first Attack of the Disease, and she now awak'd much refresh'd, and was her self sensible of it; so that she told me she could not but conceive some Hopes of her Recovery; I encourag'd her in that good Disposition in order to keep up her Spirits, and desir'd she would observe the Rules that should be set her, which she promised to the best of her Power and Knowledge. I then enjoin'd her Sister to let no one Person come near her on any Account whatever, that so she might take all the Occasions of reposing that could offer. She took near a Quart of the
Decoctum Ficuum
every 24 Hours. I visited her twice every Day, and every Night and Morning she took the Draught till towards the State of the Disease. I order'd her Sister to withdraw the Draught in the Morning, this was the 25th Day of the Month, and the Ninth or Tenth of the disease;