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character, and formerly rivalling in its ravages upon the human race
the great scourges and plagues which have visited this world at various
That great discovery of our countryman, Dr. Jenner, which
may fairly be reckoned as one of the greatest ever made, when the results
to the whole human race are taken into consideration, has in some
degree with some persons fallen into disrepute, because of cases here
and there occurring where Vaccination had already been performed.
Now the first fatal case of Small Pox registered in our district was
in July; there was 1 in August, 2 in September, 2 in October, 1 in November,
none in December, 1 in January, 1 in February, 1 in March,
3 in April, and 2 in May.
Why, in a population like ours, if the Small Pox, coming as it has
lately in an epidemic form, had found us unprotected by Vaccination,
instead of numbering its victims by units, its visitation would in all
human probability, as it has in other memorable instances, have been
marked by the death of thousands, leaving even many of those who escaped
with their lives scarred and sightless.
Many most remarkable instances of the preservative powers of Vaccination
have come under my notice, and it is with extreme satisfaction-
I report to the Vestry my belief that in our district it has been most
effectually performed. Ido not think that Vaccination is neglected in
anything like the proportion which the registration of births, as compared
with the certificates of Vaccination, would seem to indicate. In
the first place it must be remembered that a very large proportion of
infants die before they are three months old; then there are the removals;
and lastly, a considerable proportion of those vaccinated by private
practitioners are unregistered. Still, if more effectual measures can be
taken for enforcing and extending the blessings of Vaccination than exist
at present, without becoming harsh or arbitrary, they ought to be
supported by every enlightened citizen and parent.
It will be observed by the tabular statement appended to this report,
which I have prepared, that the deaths from Diarrhœa almost all occurred
in the months of July, August and September. There were 14
fatal cases of this disease in July, 17 in August, and sin September,
making 36 out of a total of 42. Considering the excessive heat of June
and July, and the unprecedented condition of the river Thames, this
result is, to my mind, not an unfavorable indication; indeed I believe
that our district, instead of being the favoured seat or nucleus of this
disease, suffered much less than others, and particularly in the severer
forms, viz., that of summer or autumn Cholera, from which we were
almost entirely exempt. I have on former occasions shown how powerful
an influence is exorcised, not only in the aggravation but also in
the production of this form of disease, more especially with children,
by unsound and unwholesome food. I refer with some satisfaction to
my efforts in cheeking, to a great extent, the sale of diseased meat,
stale fish, and unsound fruit—to which I attribute, to a considerable
degree, our comparative exemption and improved condition, as regards
this class of complaints. I may be permitted to observe that in the
performance of this duty, which is one of painful responsibility, I have
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