Hints on the Method of Inoculating against Smallpox

Mr. Printer, 
AS the has made its appearance in
more than one House in Town it is much to
be feared it may spread, particularly as this Distem-
per was not contracted by Contagion which proba-
bly indicates a disposing influence to this  Malady
either in the generality of Constitutions or the Air. 
    From these Considerations I beg leave to offer to
the public a few Hints on the Method of Innoculating, 
which may be of use to poor Families who can ill
afford to pay a Practitioner to attend.
    Eight or nine Days before Innoculation and dur-
ing the whole illness let the patient abstain from
Meats, Spices, Butter, Wine, and all high seasoned
Food, regard however being had to the Strength and
Constitution of the Patient. 
    Three Days before Innoculation let the Patient 
take a Vomit of Tart Emittick proportioned to the 
Age and strength of the Patient. 
    On the Day of Innoculation let the Patient take
Ten Grains of Calamel in a Pill at Bed time; this
Dose is calculated for a grown Person of a healthy
Habit, and must be proportionally lessened for a 
younger or weakly Person. 
    The next Morning the Patient should take a Purge
of the kind most agreeable, powdered Jalap may pos-
sibly be the best; repeat the Pill and Purge on the 
fourth and seventh Days after Innoculation. 
    On the eighth Day after Innoculation let the Pa-
tient take a Vomit of Tart Emitt. 
    The Patient shou’d avoid severe Exercise, violent
Passions, or warm Rooms. 
    Common Drink should be Barley Water sweetened
with Brown Sugar, and one Ounce of powdered
Cream Tart in half a Gallon of Decoction. 
    The Opinion of the most experienced in this Dis-
order is that the safest and best Method of conveying
the Infection is by small Punctures of a Lancet dipp’d
in the variolus Matter. 
                                      A Member of the Community.