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ated arm is somewhat too early, and that some time during the second
week after vaccination should be substituted for the eighth day; and,
moreover, that another inspection should be obligatory in the third week
after vaccination. If summoned by the parent on account of any unfavourable
symptoms prior to the time fixed for inspection, the vaccinator
should be bound to attend, and notice should be given to parents of their
right thus to summon the public vaccinator."
"In any case where a child requires medical attendance owing to
illness supervening on vaccination, we think it should be the duty of the
vaccinator to render such attendance if required by the parent, and that he
should receive a fee in respect thereof."
"In our opinion, if the precautions we have suggested were adopted,
untoward incidents of vaccination, already rare, would become much rarer."
Under the head (2) the Commissioners report:—
(499) "We have no difficulty in answering the question, What means
other than Vaccination can be used for diminishing the prevalence of Smallpox
? We think that a complete system of notification of the disease,
accompanied by an immediate hospital isolation of the persons attacked,
together with a careful supervision, or, if possible, isolation for sixteen days
of those who had been in immediate contact with them, could not but be of
very high value in diminishing the prevalence of Small-pox. It would be necessary,
however, to bear constantly in mind, as two conditions of success, first,
that no considerable number of Small-pox patients should ever be kept together
in a hospital situated in a populous neighbourhood; and, secondly, that the
ambulance arrangements should be organised with scrupulous care. If
these conditions were not fulfilled, the effect might be to neutralise, or even
do more than counteract the benefits otherwise flowing from a scheme of
isolation."
(503) "We can see nothing then to warrant the conclusion that
in this country vaccination might safely be abandoned, and replaced by a
system of isolation. If such a change were made in our method of dealing
with Small-pox, and that which had been substituted for Vaccination proved
ineffectual to prevent the spread of the disease (it is not suggested that it
could diminish its severity in those attacked), it is impossible te contemplate
the consequences without dismay."
"To avoid misunderstanding, it may be well to repeat that we are very
far from under-rating the value of a system of isolation. We have already
dwelt upon its importance. But what it can accomplish as an auxiliary to
Vaccination is one thing; whether it can be relied on in its stead is quite
another thing."