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1885 (11 deaths), 1888 (one death), 1893 (four
deaths), 1894 (three deaths), and 1896 (one death),
and none in the intermediate years, or subsequent to
1896.
Last year a new Vaccination Act came into operation,
of which the most important provisions are:—
(1), the raising of the age limit for vaccination to
six months; (2), the substitution of calf for humanised
lymph in official vaccination; and (3), the relief
given to conscientious objectors. Vaccination cannot
now be regarded as compulsory. The efforts of the
official machinery, under the Vaccination Acts, are
confined to looking up the unvaccinated, offering
vaccination, and prosecuting those too lazy or indifferent
to appear before a Bench of Magistrates and
obtain a certificate of exemption. There is no definition
of a "conscientious objection," and it is difficult
to understand what that term implies. Happily, by
the end of 1898 only 25 such certificates had been
granted to local applicants. It is to be hoped that
the persuasive efforts of the Vaccination Officer and
Public Vaccinator, added to the intelligence of the
inhabitants, will suffice to maintain a high standard of
(vaccination) protection in the parish—otherwise the
ultimate issue is beyond the region of doubt.