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abstained with reluctance from adding our signatures to theirs,
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. Whitbread 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, 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.
The following is the text ot the Bill being introduced at the
time of writing by Mr. Chaplin, the President of the Local
Government Board, Mr. Balfour, Sir Mathew White Ridley, and
the Attorney General, which seems likely to pass with important
modifications.
VACCINATION BILL, 1898.
1.—(1.) The period within which the parent or other person
having the custody of a child shall cause the child to be
vaccinated shall be twelve months from the birth of the child,
instead of the period of three months mentioned in section sixteen
of the Vaccination Act of 1867, and so much of that section
as requires the child to be taken to a public vaccinator to be
vaccinated shall be repealed.
(2.) The public vaccinator of the district shall, if the parent
or other person having the custody of a child so requires, visit the
home of the child for the purpose of vaccinating the child.