The New Hampshire Gazette

In our Paper of the 6th of February last we gave our Readers an Account of the new Method of Inoculation, and Manner of treating the Same; which while it tends greatly to encourage it, and assist those who are inclined, is mostly adapted to those who are somewhat Dexterous in Practice, or near enough to some public places, where they can be supplied with the necessary medicines, and timely assistance in case of danger, should they have resolution sufficient to perform it themselves. But as there are many parts of the country where they neither have any Practitioner near them, or can be supplied with medicines, but those of the most ordinary and common sort; by which means they are not likely to get their families inoculated by others, or to do it themselves; either for want of resolution to perform it, or administer the medicines, if to be got; or perhaps from Prejudice and real scruples of conscience. To such, it is thought, some familiar Directions, which if well followed, may prepare them so as to have a much greater chance of having it favourable in the natural way, will be of more service than a long dissertation on Inoculation.

Let it therefore be observed first, that those who are likely soon to be seized with the Small Pox in the natural way, from its being in the neighbourhood or in the same house, should follow as near as they can, the directions before given, as to their diet, drinks air, cloathing and exercise, both before and at the coming on of the fever, by which their humours will be kept in so temperate a state, as greatly tends to prevent the bad symptoms, and dangerous issue of the disease. And then as to medicines, it will be proper to use, before they are taken ill, (if they have timely notice to prepare for it) all, or as many of those mentioned for inoculated persons, as they can obtain, or have resolution to give, only with this difference, that after every three pills and a purge, they may intermit three or four days; and then begin again, and so go on till they are seized, or the disease gone out of the neighbourhood. But if they cannot get these medicines, or dare not use them, then let them take an ounce of Ethiops Mineral (which may be bought cheap at any Apothecary's) and dividing it into eight parts, give a grown person one eighth every night, going to bed, in molasses, honey, or sugar and water, and next morning a teaspoonful of Flour of Brimstone or Cream of Tartar, or both mixed, if to be had. But if only one of those three things is to be got, then take the quantity of that one aforesaid, morning and evening; and every five or six days take any purge, if it work upwards and downwards the better, (those who live by the sea, perhaps a pint of sea water would be as good a purge as any.) But if neither of these can be got, which may probably be the case, far back in the country, then it is advised (what is frequently kept in the country for the use of cattle) to take some common crude Antimony, in as fine powder as possible, and common Brimstone, rubbed also into fine powder, of each of these separate, or of both mixed, let a grown person take a teaspoonful every morning and evening, and purge once a week. Thus much for preparation before the disease. But when taken ill, it is proper, as soon as you can, to bleed all who are above the age of children,-or have not been much weakened by some other disease; and to give for drink such things as have been already mentioned, or as many of them as can be got, especially Tartar Whey, which is made by putting two teaspoonfuls of Cream of Tartar, powder'd into a pint of boiling Milk, and then adding as much boiling Water, and, when strained, drink frequently of it; or if this cannot be had, then give, instead of it, Rennet Whey, with half Water, or, what is thought better still, Whey made by turning Milk with Vinegar, and then diluting it with water, sufficient to make it palatable to the sick person, keeping the body open in the first fever, with clysters, and nourishing it while the pock fills, with milk and water, panada, gruel, and such like; not forgetting to purge when the pock is dried, and bleed also, if a cough or sore eyes remain.

* All seasons of the year are equally proper for Inoculation; tho' there is certainly this advantage attending warm weather, that allows us to keep the doors and windows of the room open, whence arises such a constant purity of air, as abundantly makes amends for all the inconveniences arising from heat.-It is thought of no great consequence in Inoculation, whether the Person from whom the matter is taken, has few or many, a good or bad sort; tho' prudence would direct to take it from a good sort if possible. The proper time taking the matter is just before it begins to dry, opening a pustule with a lancet or needle, and drawing a thread or piece of lint along one, or more, if necessary, till it is well wetted with the matter that oozes out, and then put into a little box to dry; it will be stiff, if properly Soaked in the matter. About half an inch of such thread will be sufficient for the operation, which is performed by making a slight incision through the skin, till blood appears, on the outside of the arm, about the middle between the elbow and shoulder, long enough to put the thread in, and cover it with a bit of any sticking plaster, over which a small compress and roller is proper to keep it on. After a day or two the thread may be removed, and the plaster continued or not, just as you please. But when it begins to inflame, which it does as the fever comes on, then apply a fresh plaster daily, of Diapalma, or such like; and if it swells and grows very hard and red, wash it with warm milk and water, and apply a poultice of bread and milk twice or thrice a day, till the pock is turned a few days, and then use the plaster again till it is well; if it keeps an open sore a week or two, it is the better.