The Virginia Gazette

Charles-Town in South Carolina. At the first breaking out of the Small-Pox in this Town, several Persons were advised to prepare their Bodies for any sudden Attack thereof, by drinking some Days in the Morning Tar-water, which, they were assured, would cleanse their Bodies and thereby cause the Pock to be favourable; Experience since has shewn, that all those who have made Use of the said Tar-water have not only hitherto escaped the Infection, though they have been in Houses and Rooms where infected Persons were, but also one certain Person having drank a Quantity thereof has been since twice inoculated without any Effect. which proves this Tar-water not only to be a Preservative but an Antidote against the Infection, and consequently far preferable to the Inoculation. For the Benefit of the Publick therefore I have been desired to publish the Manner of making and using the Tar-water, which is as follows :

Recipe. About Two Quarts of Tar, which is a sufficient Quantity for Six Persons, put in the Evening upon it about 5 Pints of Water, after having stirr'd it well let it settle; and the next Morning pour off the clear Water, and take fasting near a Pint, which is to be continued 5 Days successively, every Morning, the Quantity of Water taken from it must be immediately supplied again. After 5 Days using the same, half a Pint every other Day is sufficient for Two Weeks, then a Quarter of a Pint is enough to be taken every other Day during the Time of the Infection, tho' the more you take the better it will be. The Tar is not to be renewed till after Two Months.