A new method of curing the small-pox; by which that disease ... is rendered as void of danger as when received from inoculation ... With a specimen of miscellaneous observations on medical subjects / From the Latin by a physician [i.e. T. Houlston].

Johann Friedrich Clossius

Date:: 1767

Credit: A new method of curing the small-pox; by which that disease ... is rendered as void of danger as when received from inoculation ... With a specimen of miscellaneous observations on medical subjects / From the Latin by a physician [i.e. T. Houlston]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$the beginning pf the Small-Pox, I readily perceive, that they will be ufeful in moft, hurtful in none. To grant a great deal then, they may be fometimes found unneceffary or fuperfluous. But I trufl: that will prevent no one’s more early ufe of them, who lhall learn from the tollowing pages, how many advantage they promife. SECT. Ill, TH E blifters I commonly prepare thus: I take of Melilot, or any other emollient emplafter, as much as is requifite, and after having worked it up with Acetum Sciil. and fpread it on Teather or ftrong Linen, J fprinkle it over well with choice Cantharides, frefh powdered. I have always found bliftering plaif- ters made in this manner, wonderfully efficacious, when on the contrary, thofe got from the ffiops, having been generally long prepared, have often proved either too weak, or perledliy ina6live. For, as the Ikillful Len¬ til i us (a) truly obferves, a hhftering plaifter does not bear but by keepings the virtue of the Cantharides is loft. The effed of thefe blifters is not only more certain, but more fpeedy. What is fcarcely performed in 12 or 16 hours by the common blifters, even when ftrong enough, is effeded by thefe in half that time. For here, the Spicule of the Cantharides are applied naked to the body, not as there, enveloped and blunted, by other things adcied. The admixture of Acet. Scill. with the Emp. Melilot. accelerates in fome meafure their adion. Many indeed are ot opinion with Ortlob {b)y that the fticngth of the Cantharides is leftened by it. But (a) Loc. cir. paj». 1264. (A) Kxercifat. niedico’cnirurg, de veficnt9rihl.ipf. \b^b. ean. ^ Vin g ir, n}:httksr it be or that of Squills^ rather dejtro^f them (i. c. Cantharides.)$