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child to the vaccinator or his deputy, so that he might inspect the
child and ascertain the result of the operation, and, if he should
think fit, take from such child lymph for the performance of other
vaccinations; in the event of the vaccination having been unsuccessful,
the parent or other person was required, if the
vaccinator so directed, to cause the child to be forthwith again
vaccinated.
By section 27 a new and important provision was made
with reference to the enforcement of the Act. This provision was
repealed by the Act of 1871, and another scheme of legislation
adopted, to which future reference will be made. By this section
it was enacted—' The Registrar of each District shall, within one
week after the first day of January and the first day of July in
each year, make a list of all cases in which certificates of vaccination
have not been received by him during the preceding half
year, and shall submit the same to the next meeting of the
Guardians for whom he acts, and the said Guardians shall forthwith
make enquiries into the circumstances of the cases, and if
they find that the provisions of the Act have been neglected,
shall cause proceedings to be taken against the persons in default.'
This section imposed a duty on the Guardians to prosecute,
and section 28 provided for their expenses, and authorised them
to pay any officer appointed by them to prosecute persons charged
with offences against the Act or otherwise to enforce its provisions.
Provision for the appointment of such officers had been made by
the Act of 1861, 24 & 25 Vict., c. 59, and their appointment was
afterwards by the Act of 1871 made compulsory.
By section 29 it was provided as follows:—' Every parent
or person having the custody of a child who shall neglect to take
the child or cause it to be taken to be vaccinated, or after vaccination
to be inspected, and shall not render a reasonable excuse for
his neglect, shall be guilty of an offence, and be liable to be
proceeded against summarily, and upon conviction to pay a
penalty not exceeding 20s.' This clause was in substance a