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Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1870—71 9

The fourth Table is one which especially demands attention, as it contains the names
of those diseases which are most prevalent, most fatal, and against which we can contend
with the most success.
The germs of these diseases may be carried about by persons, or sent in clothing
apparel to great distances, examples of which are plentiful. They will cling to walls and
furniture, and start up with fatal vigour, after they have lain hidden and dormant for
months. They may find a soil or a grave in the person who receives them, the result depending
mainly upon the health of that person. Insufficiency of food, is probably the
greatest agent in preparing suitable victims, and it is one, unfortunately, ever in operation.
The diseases produced by these germs not only cause present sickness and death, but
they permanently damage the constitution of the sufferer, and the state of health enjoyed
before the attack will hardly ever be regained. But even here the end is not reached : the
shattered constitution is propagated to those yet unborn; the circle of evil widens and
widens, until that portion of our race becomes extinct.
The first of these diseases that will claim our attention is small-pox, which for some
months has proved a cause of fear and a demand for vaccination unknown to the present
generation. The near approach of that foul and loathsome disease, soon put to flight the
illy theories, the vanities, and affectations of those who had been boldly and unceasingly
hurling their anathemas against vaccination. We have not been visited by such an epidemic
of small-pox since the registration of deaths commenced, now thirty one years ago.
During the course of these years there have been nine epidemics, which have