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vaccination, performed with all precautions are so slight
as to be practically negligible; and (4) that by vaccination,
and vaccination alone, can the smallpox be
effectually controlled — the only logical conclusion possible
is, that vaccination must be retained as a
compulsory procedure. This is endorsed by the
Commissioners, who state that, (Par. 509.)
"We are of opinion that the State ought to continue to promote the
vaccination of the people. Nor are we prepared to recommend that
the State should cease to require vaccination, and trust entirely to a
voluntary adoption of the practice.
It may be said, therefore, that the deliberate opinion
of the majority of those best fitted to express an opinion
on the subject, is that vaccination ought to be retained
as a compulsory measure. That being the case, it
becomes the duty of the dissenting minority to submit
themselves to the will of the majority, otherwise
community life becomes an impossibility. At the same
time, it is due to the minority to enquire whether it be
possible, without abandoning the position taken up, toalter
the rules and mode of enforcing vaccination, so as
to minimise any hardship which the minority complain
of. The recommendations of the Commission evidently
drafted with this object in view are given in the replies
to the 4th and 5th References, which, together with
summaries of the recommendations, are here set out.
"(4.) "Whether any, and, if so, what means should
be adopted for preventing or lessening the ill effects,
if any, resulting from vaccination; and whether, and,
if so, by what means, vaccination with animal