quired by practice of discriminating shades of appearances too fine to be described by words. But if it should be peremptorily demanded, may not an eruption occur, the specific nature of which can neither be positively ascertained by any of the signs which have been detailed, nor by the most experienced observer? the possibility of this must be admitted; for there are deceptious cases in Varicella, in Small Pox, and in every other disease, which baffle all human judgment.

There are, however, medical gentlemen whom no difficulties appal, and who know that confident decision passes on the world for knowledge; although doubt is usually more appropriate to the present state of physic.

A few years ago my opinion was asked rather late upon an equivocal eruption, which a little boy had contracted in the neighbourhood of London. The attending apothecary had taken unusual pains to ascertain the disease; but neither he nor I were quite clear upon the point.

The parents being anxious, another surgeon of considerable notoriety was sent for. He arrived; and, being in haste, requested to see the patient without delay. He was immediately ushered into the sick chamber, and went up to the bed; he looked for a moment at the boy's face, and at one arm, which was uncovered; then, without putting a question, or hearing a syllable,

he gravely pronounced, that "the disease was "undoubtedly the Small Pox."

The mother of the boy, the nurse, and nursery-maid, were all struck with his instantaneous discernment, and despised the apothecary and myself, as very inferior beings.

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CHAP. VI.

THE RECEPTION OF THE VACCINE WITH THE
PUBLIC IN ENGLAND.

NOTWITHSTANDING the decisive proofs of the reasonableness of substituting Vaccination for variolous inoculation, which have been set forth in the preceding chapters, universal approbation was not to be expected. Discrepancy of opinion attends all innovations, both those that are meliorations and deteriorations; nor can this be prevented by any accumulation of arguments. There are two contending principles, which have more influence with the bulk of mankind than reason: the one is an attachment to ancient customs; and the other is a love of novelty. Both these have great sway with different persons, under various circumstances; and are in direct hostility with each other. The first is the more general sentiment: its operation is more constant; and it prevails especially with the uncultivated and aged, exciting an aversion to all changes: whereas, the love of novelty is a more transient passion, which springs up occasionally, and chiefly agitates juvenile minds, and those of the higher ranks. But the judicious are guided by more rational

motives, and neither follow unthinkingly the in-” variable track of inveterate habit, nor pursue inconsiderately the glittering bubbles blown up by every fantastic projector. Though this class of human beings is few in number, their superiority of intellect gives them a great ascendency over the public. If united, their decisions could never be long resisted; but it is often the interest of those who guide, to deceive; and some are apt to yield to this temptation. A violent collision of these opposing causes, and a variety of effects, were produced by the discovery of Vaccination. The sanguine and volatile," transported at the first report, scoffed at, or praised it; spurned it back, or pushed it forward, without examination; while the phlegmatic and unteachable, either preserved a sluggish inertness, or continued in their wonted track.

But the more judicious and instructed portion of the community began by an inquiry into the subject and, after they were convinced by sufficient proofs of the utility of Vaccination, they adopted it in their own families, and recommended it to others with the authority that belongs to learning and wisdom. This especially was the conduct of the most eminent of the medical profession, and a large majority of the remainder followed their example; which was done under the impression, that to expunge from the list of diseases one which uniformly

I

afflicted every individual once, must decrease their income.

Unfortunately, there were a few, and most of them needy practitioners, who would not acquiesce in this sacrifice; and, besides, they perceived, that, should all the distinguished professional gentlemen decline variolous inoculation, whatever remained of this branch of business would devolve upon them; and by this means they might emerge from obscurity, and acquire practice. Excited by these tempting motives, a tribe of medical men soon declared themselves enemies of Vaccination, and admirers of variolous inoculation. Ignorance might have misled them at first; but those who persevered after multiplied proofs, could plead no such excuse; neither did they. On the contrary, they boasted of their hatred to the Vaccine, of their love of Small Pox inoculation, and of their uniform success in this practice.

These emphatic declarations, from their singularity, attracted notice, and were soon productive of pecuniary advantages. Whatever human feeling might before have lurked in the breasts of the anti-vaccinists, was then extinguished; and they disseminated without remorse the infection of Small Pox through the thickest population. These men were instantly shunned with aversion by their former associates: they