Volume 1

Mr. Maitland's account of inoculating the small pox vindicated [by himself], from Dr. Wagstaffe's misrepresentations of that practice, with some remarks on Mr. Massey's sermon.

  • Maitland, Charles, 1668-1748.
Date:
1722
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mr. Maitland's account of inoculating the small pox vindicated [by himself], from Dr. Wagstaffe's misrepresentations of that practice, with some remarks on Mr. Massey's sermon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    about this Method, which promifed to cany Perfons thro’ that cruel Diftemper, with fo much Eafe and Safety. I was fo far from knowing that it was a Crime, that I always thought it the Duty of our Profeflion, to do what wc could to preferve the Lives of thofe who commit themfelves to our Care. And I know no Rcafon, why we ought not, with all humble Thankfulnefs to Almighty God, tomakeUfe of any Means, which his good Providence {hall bring to Light conducing to that End. This Matter, tho' of fo great Im¬ portance, lying dormant fo long after it was known, is, I prefume a fufficient Proof, that none have been very forward to try Expe¬ riments. But when we had the Account in the publick Papers, that it had by their Royal- Highnefss Command been done with Suc- cefs at London’, I could not be fatisfy'd with¬ out trying it here. I was foon convinced, that it would be of very great Ufe; and the more Experience I have had of it fince, the more I am confirm'd in the fame Opinion. I believe all others, who have feen any thing of this Practice, are in the fame Sentiment, and there is no doubt, but in a few Years the World will acknowledge the Service, which the Royal Society have done to Mankind, in firfl: revealing to this Part of Europe, a Thing fo beneficial as it will certainly prove $ for tho1 feme few unfortunate Accidents may fometimes happen* yet thefe will be very rare in