Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/81

Rh that they feel from the immoderate Dominion of the inflammatory Parts, and the excessive Heat of the whole Mass, by which it gains more space and liberty of Circulation, it should better perform its Duty in concocting, and calling out of its Bosom the Matter of the Disease; and besides, should it be supposed, that the letting of Blood in the Season I contend for, did indeed bridle and keep back the Small-Pox from crowding out so hastily, as otherwise they would do, would that be any detriment to the Patient? No, on the contrary, it would be very beneficial, for as I have observed before, no Person suffers by the coming out of the Small-Pox too late, though Multitudes do by their coming out too soon; for then they break forth before Nature has had sufficient Time to labour, and digest the Matter, too hastily expelled. Hence it appears, what a mischievous Custom, as I observed before, prevailed formerly among Persons of better Fashion, and still continues among the People of meaner Condition, especially among the ignorant Inhabitants of the Country, to administer strong Wine, and hot Cordials, such as Saffron, Venice Treacle, Methridate, Diascordium, and other Medicines of the like active Quality, with Intention to help Nature to drive out the Pustules, which is to stimulate, and push her on to throw off the crude and unconcocted Matter before its Time, which she was too apt and ready to do before, for her present