View report page

250
1902]
Among the 65 unvaccinated cases, 30 deaths occurred, representing a fatality
of 46.15 per cent.
Among the 16 cases whose state as to vaccination was unknown, 2 deaths
occurred, representing a fatality 12.50 per cent.
Among the 236 vaccinated cases together with the 16 whose state as to vaccination
was unknown, 31 deaths occurred, representing a fatality of 12.30 per cent.
The meaning of these figures is so plain, teaching, as they do, so strong a
lesson as to the value of vaccination as a safeguard against Small Pox resulting
fatally, that I will not insult your common sense by commenting on them.
Ages of the Attacked.—Among all the cases 46 were under ten years
of age, of whom 17, or 37.0 per cent. died ; 54 were between 10 and 20 years of
age, of whom 11, or 20.4 per cent. died ; and 217 of whom 33, or 15.2 per
cent. died, were above the latter age.
Ages of the vaccinated.—10 were under ten years old, and of these none died.
38 were between ten and twenty years old, of whom 3, or 7.89 per cent., died ;
and 188 were above the latter age, and of these 26, or 13.83 per cent. died.
Ages of the unvaccinated.—36 were under ten years old and of them 17, or
47.22 per cent. died; 15 were between ten and twenty years old, of whom 8, or
53.33 Per cent. died; and 14 were over the latter age, and of these 5, or 35.71
per cent. died.
Ages of those whose state as to vaccination was unknown.—No cases occurred
among persons under ten years old. One was between ten and twenty years
old, and he did not die; and 15 were over the latter age, of whom 2, or 13.33
per cent., died.
It will be noticed, that whereas no child under ten years old who had
been vaccinated, died, yet 17 out of 36 children at the same age period who had
not been so protected, died. It will also be recollected that the strong
claim put forward on behalf of vaccination, is, that it is a great prevention of
infection for seven years, and that it is almost a certain security against death.
These figures bear out these claims.
Vaccinations.—I have been unable to ascertain with any degree of
accuracy, the actual number of persons who were vaccinated during the
epidemic, but undoubtedly they were very numerous. I have, however,
obtained a statement as to the fees paid to the Public Vaccinators and
Vaccination Officers during a period of seven years, which throws considerable
light on the question.