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109
The first point calling for notice is that in the period 1855-59,
as compared with the earlier period, there was a considerable
diminution in the share of Small-Pox mortality borne by those
between one and five years of age. In the earlier period it was
426, in the latter 328. As regards those under one year of age,
the share fell from 251 to 231. It must, of course, be remembered
that whatever the prevalence of vaccination amongst children
the age period under one year will always contain a considerable
unvaccinated class. We are naturally led to inquire whether
there is anything in the history of vaccination to account for the
remarkable change we have adverted to. In the year 1853
vaccination was made compulsory, and though no sufficient means
were provided for rendering the law effectual, it cannot be doubted
that it was calculated to increase vaccination in the subsequent
years.
The next marked change is seen in the quinquennium
1870-74. The proportion of Small-Pox mortality borne by those
under one year of age decreased from 231 to 143, and of those
between one and five years of age from 314 to 169. We have
already called attention to the fact that in 1867 power was given
to the Guardians to appoint Vaccination Officers, and that
advantage was taken of this from time to time by different
Unions, though a large number remained without such officers
until after 1871, when their appointment was made compulsory.
There can be no doubt that the effect of this legislation was to
cause an increasing extension of the practice of vaccination in
1868 and subsequent years, and very largely to increase the
amount of vaccination in and subsequently to the year 1871.
The effect of this would be at once felt in the earliest age-periods,
and at a period correspondingly later in the succeeding age
periods. We have already pointed out the marked change in the
incidence below five years of age in the quinquennim 1870-74,
and it will be seen that in subsequent quinquennia there was a
diminished incidence in the age-periods 5-10 and 10-15, and later
still in the period 15-25. During the last quinquennium there