434 ESSAYS anp OBSERVATIONS 
was more pofitively infifted on; which, 
indeed, were it as well founded as it is 
{pecious, would effectually put to filence 
the warmeft advocates for inoculation, 
and overturn altogether the practice. A 
proper anfwer was made to it; and per- 
haps I fhould have thqught no more of 
it, had I not been informed fome time af- 
ter, that, ina fociety of ingenious gen- 
tlemen, who made matters of this kind 
the fubjects of their debates and inquiry, 
the fame objection was taken notice of, 
and feemed to make an impreflion. Pains 
were taken to undeceive them alfo. — | 
THE objection, to give it in the words 
ed my friend’s letter, is this : “The fmall- 
“pox, in the ordinary way, is defigned 
es hi nature as a drain toclear tlie confti- 
‘ rution of fome grofs humours, . which, 
if not carried off in this way, would 
‘< bring on other dangerous difeafes, and _ 
“ for moft part end in death, before per- 
* fons arrive at middle age. Now, fay 
* the objectors, the fuppuration where 
‘§ the fmall-pox is inoculated, is fo incon- 
“ fiderable, that it cannot be, fuppofed. 
** fufficient 
