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13
more neglected, until last year the number of vaccinations
among the poor fell to about a quarter of the proper number.
This means that there are in Bromley at the present time
among the class who are most liable to be attacked, a very
large number of persons of an age at which they are most
susceptible to the infection of Small-pox.
The better class as a rule have obeyed the law. I
believe that very few of the Bromley inhabitants have so far
taken advantage under the New Act of the "Conscientious
Objection" clause, and that most of the parents who have
neglected to have their children vaccinated, have done so more
through carelessness or procrastination than through any deeprooted
objection to Vaccination.
The existence amongst us of a large un-vaccinated
community becomes a source of danger, and it is to be hoped
that those who have neglected to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated,
will take steps to have the operation done at once, as experience
has shown the great risk of waiting until they are in the
actual presence of an outbreak.
I am glad to say that the poor with few exceptions are
submitting to the New Act, which allows them to have their
children vaccinated at their own homes free of expense. The
Local Government Board are providing the best glycerinated
calf-lymph, and stringent rules are laid down to prevent any
contamination during and after the operation.
Owing to the laxity in enforcing the Act in the past few
years, it must be many months before the arrears are made
up.