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62
From this table it may be seen that when conscientious
objectors had to apply to two justices or a magistrate, and
satisfy them that they conscientiously believed that vaccination
would be prejudicial to the health of their children, the
number of certificates remained fairly constant; but in the
year 1907, when a statutory declaration before a Commissioner
of Oaths or other persons authorised to receive a statutory declaration,
was sufficient to exempt a child from vaccination, the number
of exemptions from vaccination began to increase, so that from
91 in the year 1906, the number had increased to 1,475 in a
space of five years. Unless some check takes places in the rate at
which these certificates are granted, it will not be many years
ere the bulk of the infant population will be growing up totally
unprotected against small-pox. To those who know what small-pox
is, such a contingency will cause great anxiety. Once small-pox gets
a footing amongst a child population so unprotected, it will spread
with such rapidity that no system of notification, isolation, &c.,
will have the slightest chance of stopping its progress, until it has
spent its force for want of material. We see every few years the
same phenomenon exhibited in the case of measles and other
infectious diseases.
The most serious factor about this condition of things is the
universal apathy shown by the legislature and administrative
bodies both central and local. It is not that these bodies are not
well advised, indeed, the most competent advice in the Kingdom
is at their disposal, but it is generally ignored. If such advice
were not enough, there is the practice of other civilized nations
standing out clearly both as an example and a warning.