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221
we are at one with them in holding that it is unwise to attempt
to enforce vaccination on those who regard it as useless and
dangerous. We, however, go further, and agree with our
colleagues, Mr. Whitebread and Mr. Bright, that it would be
simpler and more logical to abolish compulsory vaccination
altogether.
W. J. COLLINS.
J. ALLANSON PICTON.
The methods recommended by the dissentient commissioners,
Dr. Collins and Mr. Picton, on page 211, have been carried out
in London for some time past, long before the issue of the reports,
with the exception that tramps entering a casual ward are not
examined unless they complain of, or exhibit symptoms of illness.
All the other points recommended are carefully carried out in this
parish.
No personal opinion has been given in this resume by myself
except that on page 91, a paragraph on the inapplicability of the
Scottish method of carrying out public vaccination to large
English cities is inserted. There is the further consideration
that all control of public vaccination by the Inspectors of the
Locol Government Board, which now takes place at uncertain
intervals with no previous notice to the Public Vaccinator, who is
therefore liable to inspection at any moment, which would, by the
adoption of the Scottish system of the Public Vaccinator going
from house to house, become absolutely impossible.
A statement as to personal experiences as Public Vaccinator
for some thirty years in Battersea may not be out of place here.
During that period no case of syphilis contracted as the result
of public vaccination was seen by me, no deaths directly
attributable to the operation came to my notice and, further,
during several epidemics of small-pox, as the result of enquiries
in every case by the Sanitary Inspectors, no child vaccinated at
the vaccination station by the Public Vaccinator was the subject
of small-pox in this parish.