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Vaccination Acts of 1867 and 1871. It only needs further to be
mentioned that in the "two periods of ten years immediately
preceding 1871, 59 and 54 per cent., or more than half, of the
total small-pox mortality was borne by children under five years
old," whilst "now, only 28 per cent., little more than a quarter
of the total small-pox mortality, falls upon such children," a clear
indication of the greater success with which the law of compulsory
vaccination is now carried out.
Animal Vaccination—Calf Lymph.—A common objection
against "arm to arm" vaccination is based on the fact that
the lymph is passed through the human system, and may
become the means of transmitting enthetic disease. This danger,
however, though by no means to be disregarded, is so very slight
as to be in practice almost inappreciable. Nevertheless, and it
being desirable to remove every impediment to the full acceptance
of vaccination, it is satisfactory to know that the Local Government
Board have made arrangements for affording to parents the
option of having their children vaccinated with calf-lymph at the
public vaccination stations. The Government, moreover, supplies
medical practitioners with "stock" lymph from the calf to enable
them to start a series of vaccinations, leaving them to keep up
their supplies afterwards— if they can. The use of calf lymph is
common on the Continent, and the system of animal vaccination
has been carried to great perfection at Brussels under the
direction of M. Warlomont, who forwards regular supplies of
lymph to this country, tubes and charged ivory points being procurable
at a moderate price. Stations, moreover, public and private,
have been established at which persons can be vaccinated direct
from the calf.
SANITARY.
Committee for carrying out the Nuisances Removal
Acts.— With the view of accelerating proceedings in cases of
nuisance, your Vestry decided in February, to appoint the Works,
Sanitary, and General Purposes Committee, to be a Committee to
receive notices, take proceedings, and in all respects, execute the