A middle-aged man, on the sixth day after he had been inoculated,
complained of pain in his head and back, and had a slight degree of
fever. These complaints remained till the 8th, when there appeared some
eruptions on the face, which I took to be variolous: but it is to be
noted, that having lived pretty freely, his face was very red and full
of pimples; and neither the preparation nor medicines had much altered
that appearance; so that it was no easy matter to distinguish between
those which were habitual to him, and the fresh ones. The arm at this
time was very considerably inflamed, as is usual about the time of
eruption.
On the 9th he was perfectly well, and no more eruptions shewed
themselves.
Having had several patients, who undoubtedly passed through the
distemper with no more illness than this man had felt, and sometimes
even without any eruption, I really thought that the affair was over.
On the 10th he took a laxative draught, eat a piece of mutton,
and drank some ale. On the afternoon of the same day I found him
complaining of a pain in his head, which he thought was occasioned by
his venturing abroad during the operation of the purge. He had now more
fever than at any other time before; however, as he averred that his
complaints were such as he usually felt from a slight cold, I did not
apprehend any thing more.
On the 11th in the morning he was still much indisposed, and had rested
ill. In the evening of the same day I found him much better, but he
said there were more pustules on his back. These I did not see.
Next morning I found he was gone to a friend’s house, having left word
that he was quite well, and that I should hear from him if there was
occasion.
On the 14th I was desired to visit him, when I found a moderate number
of fresh pustules on the face and limbs, and in such forwardness, that
I was convinced they had been out ever since his removal; which indeed
was confirmed by the account he gave me: these maturated kindly, and he
remains in good health.