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74
does not concern the British population. Even in Leprosy
districts the employment of English human lymph would be, so
far as Leprosy is concerned, as safe as that from the calf. The
risk of Syphilis, although real, is an exceedingly small one, even
when humanized lymph is employed, and may probably be
wholly avoided by care in the selection of the vaccinifer. As
regards all the other dangers, whether of severe illness or
temporary inconvenience, the two forms of lymph appear to stand
on the same level. The instances of inflamed arms, of Erysipelas,
of Vaccinia Maligna, and Eczematous eruptions are not more
common after the use of human lymph than after that from the
calf. Some of the best qualified witnesses who have afforded us
their assistance have expressed a deliberate preference for armto-arm
vaccination, believing that the advantages of calf-lymph
are more imaginary than real.
A careful examination of the facts which have been brought
under our notice has enabled us to arrive at the conclusion that,
although some of the dangers said to attend vaccination are
undoubtedly real and not inconsiderable in gross amount, yet
when considered in relation to the extent of vaccination work
done they are insignificant. There is reason further to believe
that they are diminishing under the better precautions of the
present day, and with the addition of the further precautions
which experience suggests will do so still more in the future.
We put the use of calf-lymph in the forefront because, as we
have said, this would afford an absolute security against the
communication of Syphilis. Though we believe the risk of such
communication to be extremely small where humanized lymph is
employed, we cannot but recognize the fact that however slight
the risk, the idea of encountering even such a risk is naturally
regarded by a parent with abhorrence. We think, therefore, that
parents should not be required to submit their children to
vaccination by means of any but calf-lympth, but this should not
preclude the use of humanized lymph in case they so desire.