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89
(A.)—As to the effect of Vaccination in reducing the prevalence of and
mortality from Smallpox.
(Par. 377.) The unanimous conclusion of the Commission on the
Efficacy of Vaccination is that it has a protective effect in relation to
small-pox, as we think:—
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.
3. That the protection it affords against attacks of the disease is
greatest during the years immediately succeeding the operation of
vaccination. It is impossible to fix with precision the length of this
period of highest protection. Though not in all cases the same, if a
period is to be fixed it might, we think, fairly be said to cover in general
a period of nine or ten years.
4. That after the lapse of the period of the highest protective
potency the efficacy of vaccination to protect against attack rapidly
diminishes, but that it is still considerable in the next quinquennium,
and possibly never altogether ceases.
5. That its power to modify the character of the disease is also
greatest in the period in which its power to protect from attack is
greatest, but that its power thus to modify the disease does not diminish
as rapidly as its protective influence against attacks, and its efficacy
during the later periods of life to modify the disease is still very considerable.
6. That re-vaccination restores the protection which lapse of time
has diminished, but the evidence shows that this protection again
diminishes, and that, to ensure the highest degree of protection which
vaccination can give, the operation should be at intervals repeated.
7. That the beneficial effects of vaccination are most experienced by
those in whose case it has been most thorough. We think it may fairly
be concluded that where the vaccine matter is inserted in three or four
places it is more effectual than when introduced into one or two places
only, and that if the vaccination marks are of an area of half a square
inch they indicate a better state of protection than if their area be at
all considerably below this.
(B.)—As to 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.
(Par. 434.) The conclusion was:—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