[1777. April] 20. I have had six applications for the itch, but am not half cured; and to-day when the doctor came in to see me, he told me I had the small-pox, and ordered the nurse to remove me immediately, into the small-pox ward, which she did. After I got there, I was ordered to strip off all the dirty clothes that I had upon me. I washed myself in warm water, and put on a clean linen shirt, a woollen gown, waistcoat and drawers, and turned into bed with clean sheets.

21. I feel something better, and my pock comes out very fast; but it is the small sort, which is the worst. Also, last evening three prisoners made their escape from the fifty-sixth ward, which is the same I left yesterday.

22. This morning got up, but my pock has come out exceedingly thick.

23. We are informed that the men who ran away are taken.

24. I am broken out so very thick, and the ointment for the itch inflamed my blood so much, that my flesh feels as if I was raked up in a bed of embers; and I am so sick at my stomach that I vomit up every thing I eat, and am unable to write.

25. Kept my bed, and was in great pain.

26. My head was swollen very much, and I was so blind that I could scarcely see daylight.