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well-formed or characteristic marks, and when the marks are good,
not only is the person less likely to take Small Pox, but if attacked
he will be nearly sure to recover: especially if he has a sufficient
number of marks; in other words, if he has received a sufficient
quantity of vaccination, for it is found that the protective influence
increases largely in proportion to the number of marks. Thus at
Hampstead out of a total of 644 cases admitted, without visible marks,
357 (54*43 per cent) died The mortality in 529 cases, presenting
one mark, was 92 (17*39 per cent): two marks, 1075 cases, 143
deaths, (13'29 per cent.): three marks, 671 cases, 71 deaths, (10*58
per cent.): four marks, 334 cases, 2S deaths, (8*38 per cent): five
or more marks, 212 cases, 13 deaths, (6 13 per cent.) To the
opponents of vaccination it may be conceded that very many more
vaccinated than unvaccinated persons were admitted, but this fact
furnishes no argument in support of their mischievous crusade, for
it has never been pretended by the warmest advocates of vaccination
that it is an infallible protection, but only that it is, in general,
absolutely protective, while those who are attacked after vaccination
have not only a far better chance of recovery than the unvaccinated,
but also greater immunity from " pitting" and other sequelae of
the disease. Small Pox itself, as has been seen already, is not a sure
protection against a second attack, for many persons take the disease
twice, and it has been shown that re-vaccination is more protective
than a first attack, both as regards the occurrence, the severity, and
therefore the fatality of the disease. Another vital fact has been, I
hope, finally established, viz : the extraordinary protection afforded
by re-vaccination after the age of 15. It is scarcely going too far to
say that few, if any, authenticated cases of Small Pox after efficient
re-vaccination, can be established and not one death. None of the
nurses or attendants on the sick at the Hospitals ever contract Small
Pox, as they are carefully re-vaccinated before they enter upon their
duties. Primary vaccination, which in most cases, no doubt, affords
a life-long protection, does in many persons lose much of its power
during the period of active bodily growth; but successful re-vaccination
after the period of puberty gives a sure protection to the end of
life in the vast majority of, if not in all cases. Such a fact as this
should not merely demolish the position of anti-vaccinationists, but
might reasonably be deemed justification for an Act to make the
practice of adult re-vaccination compulsory.
VACCINATION.
Having shown conclusively the value and the importance of good
Vaccination, I pass on to review briefly the opportunities afforded
of obtaining it in this Parish, and the extent to which compulsory
legislation may be deemed to have succeeded. Three stations for
the performance of vaccination have been established, and placed
under the charge of three of the District Poor Law Medical Officers
as the Public Vaccinators, viz.: one in the North District, Notting