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182
"It is to be hoped that our Report will stimulate belief in
the efficacy of vaccination, that it will remove some misapprehensions
and reassure some who take an exaggerated view of the risks
connected with the operation, as well as lead to a more ready
enforcement of the law by local authorities.
We desire to call attention again to the recommendation,
which we made in our fifth interim report, that persons committed
to prison by reason of the non-payment of penalties imposed under
the vaccination laws, should no longer be treated as criminals.
We stated in that report our reasons for this recommendation, to
which we still adhere. If, however, the changes in the compulsory
provisions of the vaccination laws which we have suggested were
adopted, the matter would lose much of its importance.
We have had the misfortune to lose by death several of our
colleagues. Mr. Bradlaugh died at an early stage in the inquiry,
and was replaced as a member of the Commission by Mr. Bright.
Sir William Savory and Dr. Bristowe died at a later period, and
their places have not been filled. We are deeply sensible of the
valuable assistance in the preparation of this Report of which
death has thus deprived us.
All which we humbly submit for Your Majesty's gracious
consideration.
(Signed) HERSCHELL.
JAMES PAGET.
CHARLES DALRYMPLE.
W. GUYER HUNTER.
EDWIN H. GALSWORTHY.
JOHN S. DUGDALE.
M. FOSTER.
JONATHAN HUTCHINSON.
FREDERICK MEADOWS WHITE.
SAM. WHITBREAD.
JOHN A. BRIGHT.
Bret Ince,
August 1896. Secretary.