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154
1902]
had been re-vaccinated. The age at which such re-vaccination should be
performed has been fixed by the general consensus of opinion at that period
when most children leave school. This is the practice in Germany, where
it has practically stamped out Small Pox, for except on the borders of the
country, where it comes into contact with its less protected neighbours,
no cases occur, and practically there only among the strangers who have passed
within its gates.
The Government have stated that it is their intention to introduce a
Vaccination Bill next year, and it is hoped, indeed demanded, by every person
who desires to see Small Pox for ever banished from this country, that a clause
making the re-vaccination of children compulsory on leaving school should be
enacted. Not until this has been done will the United Kingdom be free from the
small outbreaks or epidemics which have from time to time occurred. The
evidence afforded by the immunibility of the doctors, matrons, nurses and members
of the general staff of the Metropolitan Asylums Board's Hospitals, and by
the fact that few cases of the disease have occurred among re-vaccinated persons,
has produced a deep impression, so that the country is now quite prepared to
accept the measure. There has never been a great objection to it in this country
among thinking men, and, indeed, it must have been noticed that in every
epidemic thousands have flocked to be re-vaccinated, feeling assured that thereby
they are protecting themselves. It is only your confirmed anti-vaccinator who
objects, and he is now disarmed, for with his ability to obtain a conscientious
objector's certificate for himself and family, he has no right to complain if
others do not object, but, on the contrary, desire to be re-vaccinated, so that
they may safeguard themselves and their children against sickness or death
from Small Pox.