Benjamin Colman: Some Observations on Receiving the SMALL-POX by Ingrafting or Inoculating

Explanation and Analysis of the Document

Colman begins by expressing his surprise and delight that God had provided humans with a way to overcome the scourge of smallpox. He alludes to the success of the practice in the Levant as reported by the Royal Society of London. He makes particular reference to the experiments of Dr. Boylston (“Boylstone” in the document) and how, despite early setbacks among children who were too weakened by the disease, his experiments ultimately proved successful—all through the grace of God: “We saw this with wonder and Joy at what GOD had wro't [wrought] for us. We saw Scores thus recover, even as many as went into the happy practice, and it appear'd to us more and more to be the Lord's Doing and marvellous in our eyes.” Colman urges other clergyman to maintain a more open mind about inoculation against smallpox.

Colman then provides a detailed explanation of the inoculation process as he witnessed it. Indeed, the inoculation gave the patient a case of smallpox, but “as it moderates the first Fever and the Symptoms before the Eruption of the Pock, so it seems totally to prevent the second Fever at the turning of it, which is the fatal thing.” Patients developed fewer “pustles” (pustules) and came through their mild case of the disease strong and healthy, without the scarring that usually marked smallpox survivors.

One aspect of the inoculation dispute that fueled controversy was that the practice was used by “Negroes.” Colman narrates the story of one such “poor Negro” who had been inoculated in Africa after an outbreak of smallpox in his community. Although several people had died of the disease when it first appeared, not one died after everyone else was inoculated, and none were left scarred. Colman acknowledges that “I shall be scoff'd at for telling this Simple story, but I think it very pertinent & much to the purpose here.” He concludes by saying that his purpose is not to play doctor but “to serve unto the preserving of Life, and to minister unto the comfort of Families.”