Page:New observations on inoculation - Angelo Gatti.djvu/75

Rh can any exact rule be prescribed, so as neither to go beyond, nor fall short of, the mark. By keeping to the usual way of preparing, or of inserting, or of treating, or else to all three, the operator may bring on more pustules than the patient would have had, if left to nature; but then he may possibly raise a fuller crop than he wished for, perhaps something worse; and on the other hand, some patients may chance to be so well disposed by nature, that in spite of physical art they may have no small-pox, but at the place of insertion.

If one was absolutely bent upon giving a certain number of pustules, I could propose one way, though I must own I would not do it myself, and that is, to make the insertion with a needle, in twenty, thirty, or fifty places; then you would be sure of one pustule at least at each puncture, and probably of many more in other parts.

This method is the least dangerous think of, in compliance with common prejudice; but for my part, I cannot think a physician, merely to humour his patients, is at liberty to do them more harm than is necessary; and they, who will act at that rate, are less scrupulous than myself.

To be serious; I am satisfied that, notwithstanding the doubts which may arise as to the sufficiency of a single pustule, every wise man will run the venture of this inconveniency, and embrace the method here laid down. He can but be inoculated again, if he has any scruples; Rh