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161
only example of supposed transmission of Syphilis in vaccination
which Dr. Lee had ever known.
In considering those cases specially investigated by medical
men on our behalf, we have as a rule the advantage of definite
and adequate information. We have already mentioned that in
the Leeds case, upon which we heard evidence, we had the benefit
of Dr. Barlow's assistance; and we need not further discuss that
case. Amongst the others investigated by medical men on our
behalf were two cases in which death was apparently certified as
from Vaccino-Syphilis. The first of these two deaths was registered,
in 1892, as due to " Vaccinia Syphilitica; Marasmus," but
it subsequently appeared that the medical man who certified the
death had not intended to state that it resulted from Syphilis
caused by vaccination. In explanation of his certificate, he said:
" . . . . the meaning I intended to convey was 'vaccinia,'
i.e., a general eruption over the body exactly like the vaccination
pocks occurring in an infant the subject of congenital syphilis";
and a careful inquiry by Dr. Acland elicited overwhelming
evidence in support of the view that the case was one of inherited
Syphilis. The second of the two deaths was registered, in the
present year, as due to "vaccination of Syphilis." A thorough
investigation showed that the case was certainly not one of Syphilis
caused by vaccination, and in all probability not one of Syphilis
at all.
Two other cases, both fatal, were reported to us in which
children whose vaccination had undoubtedly been followed by
serious illness were believed to have been subjects of inherited
Syphilis. Both cases were very carefully investigated by Dr.
Acland on our behalf. In neither of them is there any evidence
that Syphilis was communicated by vaccination. Probably both
children were, as at first surmised, subjects of inherited syphilis.
Besides these deaths, there were amongst those alleged or
suggested to have been connected with vaccination, which were
investigated and reported upon by medical men on our behalf, ten