
          Middletown Connt [Connecticut]
Jany [January] 25

My Dear Friend,

The inhabitants of this place are
much excited by the occurrence of small pox in
this city. Some time ago a sailor brought it
from NY [New York], and now 8 or 9 cases have appeared. 
There is great anxiety manifested by those
not vaccinated and no vaccine virus yet
certainly taken. I have application to vaccinate.
Will you be so kind my Dear Sir to procure a
supply and forward to me as early as possible.

Yours very Truly,
J Barratt.

If any expense should be incurred in the purchase
of course I will pay you. Among the physicians
of your acquaintance you may however be able
to procure a good supply.

During this cold weather it may be advisable to protect
the fluid in quills, glass, or the like, with more than
usual care. Therefore the package enclose for
me directed to (under cover  to Joshua Stowe Esqr, [Esquire]
Post Master here with the request he will hand
it to me.

[in margin] 
PS. [crossed out: Hence?] I open again this letter to state that I have returned
from an examination of the small pox cases. I have seen 6 cases.
it is not the Variola such as I saw in England. The first case has quite
recovered without any scars. The rest the pustules are whitish with little
sympt symptoms as they are nothing more than cases of varioloid
        