Jenks's Portland Gazette

Miscellany.

KINE POX.

From the Commercial Gazette.

MR. CUTLER,

I AM one of those who rejoice greatly at the introduction of the Kine Pox, and think it one of the greatest blessings that mankind have received for ages. The introduction of it into our country deserves the applause of every friend of science and humanity, but I have heard with pain and surprise some of our Physicians say that they had their doubts whether it would secure the human body from the Small Pox but for a short time. Now I desire to know of these physicians on what they found this opinion; on any law of the animal economy, or on any other known doctrine of diseases, they would do well to publish it, that such laws and doctrines may be inquired into, or if they found it on any authority from the other side of the Atlantic, they ought to mention that authority, that it may be fairly examined; for to utter such things to ignorant people without any rational grounds for it, looks rather suspicious—It seems as if they were unfriendly to the business, & meant to dampen the practice by suggesting a doubt that requires the life of man to resolve. Dr. Waterhouse has produced several instances in his treatise directly contrary to this insinuation. He relates in page 35, four instances where the Small Pox could not be taken 30, or 40 years after having the Kine Pox. One instance upwards of 50 years after catching the disease from the cow. Has any physician in Boston or elsewhere, any evidence to oppose to this? if they have, let them publish it. If they have not, let them cease from filling the heads of people with groundless apprehensions. The inoculation of the Kine Pox is established in England. The government has given it their sanction. Royalty itself has stepped forward as its patron. A frigate has been sent to convey physicians to Naples in order to carry this new gift of heaven, the Kine Pox, to a friendly nation whose religious prejudices have prevented the free practice of inoculation of the Small Pox. Some of our Doctors should remember that this matter of the Kine Pox, especially now when the Small Pox has broken out in Boston, is of too serious a nature to be impeded by idle speculation, and that it is an affair of such notoriety that the friends, and the sly impeders of its introduction will be remembered in ages to come.

HOWARD.