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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 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.
This is obviously a matter of great importance. Not
only has the utility of vaccination been denied, but it has
been asserted that mischievous effects have been due to it,
resulting in personal injury and in loss of life. If the
practice has been productive of substantial benefit in limiting
the ravages of small-pox, and mitigating the severity of the
disease, the fact that vaccination may lead in certain cases to
personal injury or death would of course not be a conclusive
argument against its use. Danger of personal injury, and
eveu of death, attends many of the most common incidents
of life, but experience has shown the risk to be so small that
it is every day disregarded. A railway journey, or a walk in
the streets of any large town certainly involves such risks,
but they are not deemed serious enough to induce anyone
from refraining from that mode of travelling, or from frequenting
the public streets. And to come within the region
of therapeutics, it cannot be denied that a risk attaches in
every case where chloroform is administered; it is nevertheless
constantly resorted to, where the only object is to escape
temporary pain. The admission, therefore, that some risk
attaches to the operation of vaccination, an admission which