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no risk. This is definitely established by the experience of
doctors, nurses, and others dealing daily with Small-pox in hospital
wards.
(11) Vaccination or revaccination that does not " take," does
not count as protective vaccination.
(12) Any arguments not based on these rules, which are the
basis of modern advice as to vaccination, are invalid and not to
the point, though they may mislead people who do not think
carefully.
(13) Small-pox is not caused by impure water supplies, bad
drainage, uncleanliness, or any insanitary conditions; it is a
disease which developes only in susceptible persons, who catch it
from Small-pox patients directly or indirectly.
(14) Two things, then, are necessary in stopping Small-pox;
first, isolation of patients and destruction of infection in their
immediate clothes and surroundings; secondly, the rendering
other persons insusceptible by renewing their vaccination protection
at least once after ten years. By doing this Germany has practically
abolished the disease, and has no need for Small-pox
hospitals.
(15) In every epidemic of Small-pox, what happens is exactly
what should happen if the above propositions are true. We may,
therefore, assume that they are true.
(16) Jenner discovered a principle, but he could not have
the advantage of the following 100 years' experience as to its
actual scope and limitations. It is no reproach to him that he
lacked our experience, nor to us that we avail ourselves of subsequent
observation and experiment.