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inoculation 'introduces a milder disorder in the place of the
inoculated ' Small.Pox, which is not capable of being communicated
by contagion.'
If vaccination have the protective influence alleged, in view
of the extent to which we have shown that it was practised in the
first quarter of the present century, its fruit ought to be seen in a
diminution of the mortality from Small.Pox during that period.
This brings us to the second of the two questions which we have
said presented themselves. Does the history of Small-Pox
mortality since vaccination was introduced afford warrant for a
belief in its protective effect ? This, of course, involves an
inquiry into any other possible causes affecting the amount of
Small.Pox mortality. We enter then upon the first stage of
this inquiry, confining our attention for the present to the period
we have indicated.
It becomes necessary at the outset to consider the subject
of Small.Pox mortality and its prevalence prior to the introduction
of vaccination, and especially during the latter part of the
eighteenth century, the period immediately prior to its introduction.
The early history of Small.Pox, like that of many similar
diseases, is obscure, is subject to much debate, and, save perhaps
on one point, is of antiquarian interest only.
The records of the eighteenth century show that the
disease was very prevalent in Western Europe during the whole
of that century ; we shall discuss the history of the disease during
that period in some detail presently. The records of the seventeenth
century also show that Small.Pox was a very common
disease during that century ; this especially the case as regards
the latter half of the century. The statistics which exist with
respect to Geneva, and various scattered statements, further show
that Small.Pox was a well.known disease in the sixteenth century,
but except for the records which are said to exist of severe