Note 62 — Chapter XIV

The only Account I have read of this Practice, is in the learned Dr. Home's Medical Facts and Experiments, published in 1759, which admits, that but nine out of fifteen of the Subjects of this Practice took. Cotton dipt in the Blood of a Patient in the Measles was inserted into the Arms of twelve; and three received the Cotton into their Nostrils, after the Chinese Manner of infusing the Small-Pocks; but of these last not one took, and one of those who had taken, had the Measles again two Months after. We think the sharp hot Lymph distilling from the inflamed Eyes of Persons in this Disease, a likelier Vehicle to communicate it than the Blood, especially the dry Blood, which was sometimes tried; since the human Serum seems the Fluid more particularly affected by it; and this must have been evaporated when the Blood grew dry. A few practical Strictures on this Work, and particularly on this Practice described in it, appeared in the Monthly Review Vol. XXI. P. 68 to 75. K.