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mind to the belief that animal vaccination was deserving of a full, fair, and impartial trial
in this country.
As regards the steps necessary to carry it out, the following is the mode of procedure
at the Vaccinal Institute at Brussels:—The calf must be about three months old,
healthy, with russet or white skin; after being properly secured, and its legs separated,
a space about the size of the crown of a man's hat, extending from the inguino-mammaryregion
in the direction of the umbilicus, is shaved, and about 50 slight incisions made
with a lancet smeared with lymph taken from a previously-vaccinated animal. The
incisions are made in the direction of the axis of the animal, and are about an inch apart,
with the same space between each row. The vaccine matter must be taken on the fifth
or sixth day, and is only potent in a liquid state about twenty-four hours, and should
therefore be stored—dried on ivory points. It will thus be seen that every five or six
days one or two fresh calves are required. In Brussels the animals are let to the institute
for a period of seven days, during which time they are well cared for, their food
consisting of eggs and milk. At the end of the week they are returned to their owner,
without any or but little deterioration.
The results obtained by 36 vaccinators in different parts of Belgium in 1870-71 were
96 per cent. of successful cases; the best results in England from arm to arm vaccination
being stated as 95 per cent.
I have ascertained from the Vaccination Department of the Local Government Board
that no steps are being taken by them to provide a supply of animal lymph, and I have
also ascertained that none can be obtained from a chemist in Edgware.road, as publicly
announced. It can, however, be obtained from Mr. P. Mason, High-street, Gosport, or
direct from Monsieur Evariste Warlopiont, Institut Vaccinal a Bruxelles.
In conclusion, I may state that the literature on the subject far exceeded my idea, and
that I regret that my report is not so complete as I could have wished. It will, however,
at once be seen why I cannot recommend the Vestry of St. Mary, Newington, to undertake
the carrying out of animal vaccination. With no distrust in the efficiency of armto-arm
vaccination, with no fear of any danger therefrom, I yet venture to press upon the
Vestry the propriety of sending a memorial to the Local Government Board, urging them
to adopt, and to continue, animal vaccination as a part of our national arrangements for
the prevention of small-pox. It is a terrible disease, and I believe in vaccination; but
I know that the safeguard is evaded and avoided very largely. The chief ground urged
is the possibility of contamination. In the name of suffering humanity, let this excuse
be removed, and let our efforts be redoubled to use every reasonable means to still further
check one of the greatest curses to humanity—a disease which alike disfigures and
destroys.
VACCINATION;
The following is the return made to the Local Government Board by
Mr. Winter, the Vaccination Officer of the Parish:—