ERUPTIVE FEVERS. 



ease which follows of a more virulent malignant kind, and this 

 is most certainly the case in smallpox ; they may be supposed 

 to act by increasing the fever, for we can have no conception 

 how they can contribute to increase the quantity of morbific 

 matter." 



DC. It is therefore probable, that an inflammatory state of 

 the whole system, and more particularly of the skin, gives oc- 

 casion to a greater number of pustules : and the causes of this 

 may likewise produce most of the other circumstances of the 

 confluent smallpox ; such as the period of eruption ; the con- 

 tinuance of the fever ; the effusion of a more putrescent matter, 

 and less fit to be converted into pus ; and, what arises from 

 thence, the form and other circumstances of the pustules. 



DC I. Having thus attempted to account for the chief dif- 

 ference which occurs in the state of the smallpox, we shall now 

 try the truth of our doctrine, by its application to practice. 



DCII. In considering the practice, we view it first, in general, 

 as suited to render the disease more generally benign and safe, 

 and this by the practice of inoculation. 



DCIII. It is not necessary here to describe the operation of 

 inoculating ; and what we name the practice of inoculation, com- 

 prehends all the several measures which precede or follow that 

 operation, and are supposed to produce its salutary effects. 



These measures are chiefly the following : 



1. The choosing for the subject of inoculation persons other- 

 wise free from disease, and not liable, from their age or other 

 circumstances, to any incidental disease. 



2. The choosing a person at the time of life most favourable 

 to a mild disease. 



3. The choosing for the practice a season the most condu- 

 cive to the mildness of the disease. 



4. The preparing the person to be inoculated, by abstinence 

 from animal food for some time before inoculation. 



5. The preparing the person by courses of mercurial and 

 antimonial medicines. 



6. The taking care, at the time of inoculation, to avoid cold, 

 intemperance, fear, or other circumstances which might aggra- 

 vate the future disease. 



7- After these preparations and precautions, the choosing a 



