Cotton Mather (1663-1728), usually remembered for his theological and historical writings, was also much concerned with medicine. He was interested in many aspects of contemporary science and became one of the few colonial members of the Royal Society of London.
In 1721, when a smallpox epidemic hit Boston, Mather urged Boston physicians, particularly Zabdiel Boylston, to employ the inoculation technique used by the Turks as a means of preventing fatal cases of the disease. In his Diary, Mather records the anguish he suffered for having taken this stand.
[May] 26 [1721]. The grievous Calamity of the Small-Pox has now entered the Town. The Practice of conveying and suffering the Small-pox by Inoculation, has never been used in America, nor indeed in our Nation, But how many Lives might be saved by it, if it were practised? . . .
[June] 13. What shall I do? what shall I do, with regard unto Sammy? He comes home, when the Small-pox begins to spread in the Neighbourhood; and he is lothe to return unto Cambridge. I must earnestly look up to Heaven for Direction. . . .
[July] 16. At this Time, I enjoy an unspeakable Consolation. I have instructed our Physicians in the new Method used by the Africans and Asiaticks, to prevent and abate the Dangers of the Small-Pox, and infallibly to save the Lives of those that have it wisely managed upon them. The Destroyer, being enraged at the Proposal of any Thing, that may rescue the Lives of our poor People from him, has taken a strange Possession of the People on this Occasion.
