64 Dr. Ainslie on Small-Pox and Inoadation in Eastern Countries. 



a sharp instrument, whicli is first inserted dry under the cuticle, and after 

 having been moistened at the point with the variolous matter, is inserted in 

 the same incision, and there kept for a short time. The part commonly 

 chosen for the reception of the virus is on the outer and upper part of the 

 wrist. Both arms are inoculated at once ; and immediately after the oifice 

 is performed they are slightly bound up, the patient being also ordered to 

 take a little of the virus internally, mixed up with rice in the form of a pill. 

 From this period till the fever comes on, he is ordered to be bathed twice 

 or thrice daily in cold water, is cautiously kept from the sun's rays, and 

 when the pustules are ripe they are all opeped with a needle. With the 

 exception of a little unrefined sugar (jdgari), nothing in the way of medi- 

 cine is given ; and this is administered rather as it makes also a part of the 

 offering to the goddess, than from any notion of its virtues. 



In the pure habits of the Hindus it may easily be imagined that the 

 inoculated small-pox is almost constantly benign ; and this mildness, toge- 

 ther with tlie simplicity of the operation, added no doubt to the powerful 

 influence of custom for centuries, made the inhabitants of India not a little 

 reluctant to the introduction of vaccination. At all times blindly devoted 

 to their ancient modes, interwoven as they are with their religious doctrines, 

 beyond perhaps any people on earth, they are strongly averse to what- 

 ever innovations might lead them to forsake the usages of their ancestors ; 

 and why they should give a preference to a new method of combating 

 the disorder, which they felt had already been rendered sufficiently inno- 

 cent, they neither could comprehend nor wished to have explained to 

 them. 



Previously to the introduction of vaccination into India, inoculation for 

 the small-pox was almost invariably attended with the happiest effects 

 amongst the European inhabitants. The time of life selected for receiving 

 the disease was generally after the child had cut all its first teeth ; and the 

 season of the year, that which ensues after the rains are over. But, with all 

 its advantages, inoculation must still be allowed, for many obvious reasons, 

 to be far inferior to the recent and more extraordinary discovery of vaccina- 

 tion, for most of what is practically valuable in which the world stands 

 indebted to the observations and patient investigation of Dr. Jenner, who, 

 prompted by the best feelings of humanity, and supported by the spirit of 

 ingenious research, most happily established one of the greatest blessings 

 that was ever bestowed on man. 



