An account of the manner of inoculating for the small pox in the East Indies With some observations on the practice and mode of treating that disease in those parts

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An account of the manner of inoculating for the small pox in the East Indies With some observations on the practice and mode of treating that disease in those parts

by J. Z. (John Zephaniah) Holwell

EN·~42 minutes·1 chapter

Chapters

1 total

ANACCOUNTOf the Manner ofInoculating for the Small Poxin the East Indies.

42:38

Description

A meticulous nineteenth‑century physician presents a rare glimpse into the practice of small‑pox inoculation among the Brahmins of the East Indies. Drawing on personal observation and earlier European reports, he explains how this ancient technique predates, and in many ways anticipates, the methods now common in England. The narrative balances scientific curiosity with respectful commentary on local customs, offering readers a clear picture of early cross‑cultural medical exchange.

The author then turns to the epidemiology of small‑pox in Bengal, describing the regular seven‑year cycles of severe outbreaks and the surprisingly mild cases that follow widespread inoculation. He details the seasonal timing of the disease, the community’s response—often retreating to the countryside—and the stark contrast between natural infection and the inoculated experience. Interwoven with these facts are thoughtful reflections on diet, superstition, and the resilience of both native and expatriate populations, making the work both an informative medical record and a vivid portrait of colonial life.

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Full title

An account of the manner of inoculating for the small pox in the East Indies With some observations on the practice and mode of treating that disease in those parts With some observations on the practice and mode of treating that disease in those parts

Language

en

Duration

~42 minutes (40K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2016-08-04

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

J. Z. (John Zephaniah) Holwell

J. Z. (John Zephaniah) Holwell

1711–1798

A surgeon, East India Company official, and brief acting governor of Bengal, he became one of the best-known British witnesses of 18th-century Calcutta. His writings also show an early European interest in Indian religion and antiquities, alongside striking views on vegetarianism and the treatment of animals.

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