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(5) Whether any alterations should be made in the arrangements and
proceedings for securing the performance of vaccination, and, in
particular, in the provisions of the vaccination Acts, with respect to
prosecutions for non-compliance with the Law.
With regard to the first question, the conclusion arrived at is that vaccination
has a protective effect in relation to small-pox.
As to the second question, the Commissioners say:—"We can see nothing then
to warrant the conclusion that in this country vaccination might safely be abandoned,
and replaced by a system of isolation." Whilst dwelling upon the importance and
value of a system of isolation, they say:—"What it can accomplish as an auxiliary
to vaccination is one thing, whether it can be relied on in its stead is quite another
thing." The frequency by which small-pox has been spread through the medium of
common lodging-houses by tramps wandering from place to place, has received the
attention of the Commissioners, and they make the following recommendations:—
(i.) That common shelters which are not now subject to the law relating to
common lodging houses should be made subject to such law.
(ii.) That there should be power to the Local Authority to require medical
examination of all persons entering common lodging-houses and casual
wards to see if they are suffering from small-pox, and to offer a reward
for prompt information of the presence of the disease.
(iii.) That the Local Authority should have power to order the keeper of a
common lodginghouse in which there has been small-pox, to refuse
fresh admissions for such time as may be required by the authority.
(iv.) That the Local Authority should be empowered to require the temporary
closing of any common lodging-house in which small-pox has occurred.
(v.) That the Local Authority should have power to offer free lodgings to
any inmate of a common lodging house or casual ward who may reason,
ably be suspected of being liable to convey small-pox.
(vi.) That the Sanitary Authority should give notice to all adjoining sanitary
authorities of the occurrence of small pox in common lodging houses or
casual wards.
(vii.) That where the disease occurs the public vaccinator or the medical
officer of health should attend and vaccinate the inmates of such
lodging-houses or casual wards, except such as should be unwilling to
submit themselves to the operation.
These recommendations are on the same lines as the resolutions which were
arrived at in July, 1894, at a largely attended meeting of representatives of the
various local authorities which was convened by the London County Council, and
held at the County Hall, Spring Gardens.