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2. That it modifies the character of the disease, and renders
it (a) less fatal, and (b) of a milder or less severe type.
3. That the protection it affords against attacks of the disease
is greatest during the years immediately succeeding the operation
of Vaccination. It is impossible to fix with precision the length of this
period of highest protection. Though not in all cases the same, if a
period is to be fixed, it might, we think, fairly be said to cover in
general a period of nine or ten years.
4. That after the lapse of the period of highest protective potency,
the efficacy of Vaccination to protest against attack rapidly diminishes,
but that it is still considerable in the next quinquennium, and possibly
never altogether ceases.
5. That its power to modify the character of the disease is also
the greatest in the period in which its power to protect from attack is
greatest; but that its power thus to modify the disease does not
diminish as rapidly as its protective influence against attacks, and its
efficacy during the later periods of life to modify against the disease is
still very considerable.
6. That re-Vaccination restores the protection which lapse of
time has diminished, but the evidence shows that this protection again
diminishes, and that, to ensure the highest degree of protection which
Vaccination can give, the operation should be at intervals repeated.
7. That the beneficial effects of Vaccination are most experienced
by those in whose case it has been most thorough. We think it may
fairly be concluded that where the vaccine matter is inserted in three
or four places, it is more effectual than when introduced into one or
two places only—and that if the Vaccination marks are of an area of
half a square inch, they indicate a better state of protection than if
their area be at all considerably below this."
Under head (3) the Commissioners report:—
(434) "A careful examination of the facts which have been brought
under our notice has enabled us to arrive at the conclusion that, although
some of the dangers said to attend Vaccination are undoubtedly real and not
inconsiderable in gross amount, yet when considered in relation to the extent
of Vaccination work done they are insignificant. There is reason further to
believe that they are diminishing under the better precautions of the present
day, and with the addition of the further precautions which experience
suggests will do so still more in the future."