twenty Days and more under the hard Pustules, which has been prest from them in great Plenty by the Patient’s Finger, without producing the least Fever; and therefore, I believe, that the Fever, which continues so long after the Face is dry, and in a great Measure cleared, is derived from the poisonous Parts in the Blood, not yet concocted and subdued, and so not prepared for Separation; and I am the more confirmed in this Opinion, when I reflect on this, which I have often observed; that a bad Fever has remained, even after the Face, and Body, have been sometimes almost, and sometimes wholly cleared of the ripened Pustules.
What I have said against purging in the third and last Stage of the Small-Pox, may be urged against Evacuation by bleeding, with the like Evidence of Reason and Experience: As for Experience, I must testify, I never knew that Method succeed: I have formerly heard of one or two that recovered, notwithstanding they were let Blood at the End of the second Stage; but I cannot say, that Operation did contribute to it; and how the Diminution of the Blood, and thereby of the Strength and Activity of the Spirits, should be availing in this Case, is, I must acknowledge, too difficult for me to conceive. If it be said, the Blood is in a great Flame, and the excessive Heat is ready to stifle and overset the Patient; to reduce that Heat, recourse may be had to Clysters, to the taking of the
