Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/80

52 of Persons, but from a sincere and impartial Intention of being beneficial to Mankind.

At the first Attack of the Disease, the Patient ought to be let Blood to a considerable Quantity, twelve or fourteen Ounces, especially if the Person is of a robust and florid Constitution; and the Physician should not be discouraged from giving this Advice, notwithstanding the Pulse should be at first weak and low, for that often proceeds from the Oppression of the active Parts of the Blood, which being too much agitated and expanded by the feverish Ferment, labours for room to extend its Current, that it may move along the Veins with greater freedom: And therefore, when by bleeding it is ventilated and made easy in its Circulation, the Pulse are so far from being weakened and lower’d, that they rather rise and beat with more strength and regularity. Nor should he forbear advising the Patient to be let Blood, though some Scattering Eruptions should appear upon the Skin, for fear the Small-Pox should be checked, or retarded in their coming out; which is the Reason alledged against this Practice; for this is merely imaginary, and upon frequent Experience, I know the contrary to be true; and indeed, it is very agreeable to Reason, that when the Blood-Vessels are in a good Measure cased from the Violence and sion