148 



In the light of modern science, inoculation seems to be 

 an inadequate, if not a dangerous resort, and is now pro- 

 hibited by law. It did not do away with the danger of 

 infection as vaccination does, nor in any way decrease it. 

 To some minds, the bringing together, at one point in a 

 hospital, of so great a number of persons suffering from 

 such a disorder, seemed likely to form a centre of prop- 

 agation which might imperil the neighborhood. More- 

 over, the advocates of inoculation did not unite their 

 forces in a vigorous struggle with its opponents, but were 

 very much divided among themselves in our neighbor- 

 hood, at the time in question, between two systems of 

 practice, differing mainly in the application of mercurials. 

 Before inoculation, pest-houses had been provided in out- 

 of-the-way places, where the disease could be isolated and 

 treated by nurses who had passed successfully through it. 

 Beyond this, and the killing of all stray dogs and roping 

 off of streets and sometimes of whole towns which were 

 infected, little could be done. 20 



Lady Montagu, during her stay at Constantinople, 

 found inoculation in common use there, and much prized 

 by women as a protector of their beauty. She herself had 

 lost her eyebrows from the ravages of small-pox, and 

 counted her brother among its victims. With charac- 

 teristic sagacity and nerve she applied the new treatment 

 to her own children, and finally succeeded on her return 

 to England, in recommending it to general attention. 

 It was first practised in America, at Boston, in 1720, and 

 though Increase Mather, with other leaders of the clergy, 



20 Vessels were constantly bringing the disease from Barbadoes and in these 

 cases their crews and cargoes, especially of coiton-wool, were often landed on 

 Misery or Baker's Island. Harvard College waa more than once dismissed on 

 account of its prevalence, and many times the General Court was adjourned from 

 place to place to escape it. Highways from town to town were securely fenced 

 and guarded, and ferry boats discontinued. 



