This Day in History: February 10

After every attempt to stop the progress of the Small Pox, I found that it gained such head among the Southern Troops, that there was no possible way of saving the lives of most of those who had not had it, but by introducing innoculation generally. The Physicians are now making the proper preparation to innoculate all at the several Posts in this Quarter, and Doctor Shippen will innoculate all the Recruits, that have not had the disorder, as fast as they come into Philadelphia. They will loose no time by this Operation, as they will go thro', while their Cloathing, Arms and Accoutrements are preparing. That the Army may be kept as clear as possible, of this terrible disorder, I have recommended it to every State, which is to send Troops to the Army in this Department, immediately to begin upon the innoculation of their Recruits and to continue till they have gone thro' the whole; by these means very few will be down at a time, and of those, many will be fit for duty (should the occasion be pressing) the whole time. [More]