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9
confidence; and as Soon as I could again furnish myself with
virus from the cow, I made an arrangement for a series of
inoculations. A number of children were inoculated in succession,
one from the other, and after several months had elapsed, they
were exposed to the infection of small pox, some by inoculation,
others by variolous effluvia, and some in both ways; but they all
resisted it." I have quoted the passage at length in Dr. Jenner's
words, as giving the early history of vaccination, but need
scarcely say that it is illegal now to put the efficacy of vaccination
to a similar proof to that just described. The passage also shows
to its fullest extent the protective power of vaccination when
properly performed.
As regards the immunity of nurses and Others employed in
the small pox hospitals, I would point out that Dr. Marson, late
Surgeon of the Highgate hospital for nearly 40 years says that
"I have never had a nurse or servant the whole time who has
taken small pox there, and I re-vaccinate them when they come
there." In 1871-3 not one of the attendants employed at the
small pox hospitals contracted the disease, and in the present
epidemic, out of 341 employed, 2 suffered from the disease in a
severe form, not having been vaccinated, whilst all the others
who bad had small pox, or been re-vaccinated, escaped, except
three who had slight attacks, although many suffered from
langour, loss of appetite. &c.
As regards the difference in the death rates of vaccinated
and unvaccinated persons, Dr. Marson stated in his evidence
before the House of Commons, 1871, that the arms of 13,670
patients were examined on their admission into the hospital with
the following results:—
2,920 were unvaccinated, and 1,043 died=34.89 per cent.
deaths.
30 had a second attack of small pox, and 6 died=20
per cent. deaths.
29 after inoculation with small pox, 5 died=17.85 per
cent. deaths.
10,398 were vaccinated and 685 died=6.65 per cent. deaths.