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From the above return it appears that the total number of cases of
small-pox admitted in 13 weeks was 76, which added to the 150 as returned
in the last report, makes a total of 226 cases; 65 were sent to the Homerton
Asylum Board Hospital, and 11 were treated in the wards in the Stone
Yard. Of the 11 patients treated in these wards 3 died; all of whom were
unvaccinated. Of the 76 cases admitted into the Small-Pox Ward, the
Medical Officer slates that 58 had been vaccinated, and 18 unvaccinated.
Since the publication of my last report, a select Committee of the
House of Commons was appointed to inquire into the operation of the
Vaccination Act (1867), and to report whether such Act should be amended.
The Select Committee held eight meetings, and heard the evidence of
persons who assert that vaccination is useless and injurious; and medical
and other evidence given in reply. The Committee, after careful consideration,
agreed with the general opinion "That the cow-pox affords,
if not an absolute, yet a very great protection against an attack of
small-pox; and an almost absolute protection against death from that
disease. That if the operation be performed with due regard to the health
of the person vaccinated, and with proper precautions in obtaining and
using the vaccine lymph, there need be no apprehension that vaccination
will injure health or communicate any disease."
"That small-pox, unchecked by vaccination, is one of the most terrible
and destructive of diseases as regards the danger of infection, the proportion
of deaths among those attacked, and the permanent injury to the survivors;
and therefore
"That it is the duty of the State to endeavour to secure the careful
vaccination of the whole population."
The Committee also report" That if vaccination had been universal,
the epidemic could not have approached its present extent."
The only question to be solved as regards the prevention of death
from Small-pox, is as to the best means to be adopted by legislative enactment
to secure the proper vaccination of every child, and for this purpose
I would suggest
1. That the Registration of Births should be made compulsory.