View report page

36
The Commission was authorised and appointed to inquire and
report as to—
(1) The effect of vaccination in reducing the prevalence
of, and mortality from, small-pox.
(2) What means other than vaccination can be used for
diminishing the prevalence of small-pox; and how far such
means could be relied on in place of vaccination.
(3) The objections made to vaccination on the ground of
injurious effects alleged to result therefrom, and the nature and
extent of any injurious effects which do, in fact, so result.
(4) Whether any, and, if so, what means should be
adopted for preventing or lessening the ill effects, if any,
resulting from vaccination; and whether, and, if so, by what
means vaccination, with an animal vaccine, should be further
facilitated as a part of public vaccination.
(5) Whether any alterations should be made in the
arrangement and proceedings for securing the performance of
vaccination, and, in particular, in the provisions of the Vaccination
Acts with respect to prosecutions tor non-compliance with
the Law.
The Commission held 136 meetings for the examination of
witnesses, and examined 187 witnesses, many of whom were opposed
to vaccination.
They caused investigations to be made of many of the important
local outbreaks of small-pox which had occurred since 1890, including
the one in Gloucester in 1895-6. Also a large number of cases of
alleged injury from vaccination were the subject of careful investigation
by competent observers.
The Commission thus sums up its investigations :
A.—As to the effect of vaccination in reducing the prevalence
of and mortality from, small-pox—
1. That it diminishes the liability to be attacked by the
disease.
2. That it modifies the character of the disease, and
renders it (a) less fatal, and (b) of a milder or less severe
type.