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It will be seen by referring to the above Table that the number of
persons who have been vaccinated, and re-vaccinated, during this Quarter,
has been considerably greater than in the corresponding Quarter of last
year. This may be attributed to the fear occasioned by the prevalence of
small-pox; but it will probably happen that when the epidemic has subsided
the same indifference to the protective result of vaccination and re-vaccination
will be again shown. In the December Quarter for 1875, only 178
persons were vaccinated and 2 re-vaccinated; while in the present Quarter
388 have been vaccinated and 201 re-vaccinated. In the Quarter ending
March, 1871, the primary vaccination cases were 737, and the number of
persons re-vaccinated was 1,169. As vaccination is a part of preventive
medicine, it appears to many sanitarians that it would be desirable to place
all the Officers who are engaged to carry out the important regulations in
relation to vaccination under the Local Boards, instead of, as is the case at
present, under the Guardians; for, it must be borne in mind, that vaccination
has nothing whatever to do with pauperism : the same may be said as
regards the registration of births, deaths and marriages.
Vaccination is, however, exceedingly well performed in this District.
Mr. Charles Blackman is the appointed Public Vaccinator. This gentleman,
by the great care and attention which he gives to this important subject,
has achieved much success; and it appears from his official Returns that
during the last 12 months he has performed 1306 primary cases of vaccination,
all of which have proved successful. Mr. Blackman's success is greater
than appears to have fallen to the lot of most public vaccinators, as 95 per
cent. is said to be the average of succcssful cases. Mr. Blackman makes five
punctures, and in nearly every instance there arc five cicatrices.