View report page

18
attributed the origin of the milkers' sore. Connecting these
circumstances together in his mind he arrived at a definite
conclusion. He was convinced that the immunity from
small pox enjoyed by the milkers resulted from a previous
inoculation by cow pox; an inoculation accidentally
accomplished by contact with the diseased animal. Jenner
did not arrive at this conviction until after years had been
passed in careful experiment and laborious research. His
chief service to mankind consists rather, then, in having
converted into a practical channel the result of the experience
of previous generations of illiterate observers, than in the
inauguration of a new discovery.
After Jenner had made known to the world the results of
his investigations, vaccination came rapidly into repute.
A Royal Jennerian Society was founded in the year 1802;
within eighteen months of its institution 12,000 persons had
been vaccinated. Six years had scarcely passed, when
vaccination had become a general practice over the whole
world. It was accepted alike by nations of every clime,
habit, and religion.
In Geneva and Holland its adoption was advocated from
the pulpit. In Germany, the anniversary of Jenner's birthday
was celebrated with the rejoicings significant of a feast
day. In Russia, the court, in commemoration of the
occasion, endowed the child upon whom vaccination had
first been practised, with an education provided at the public
cost. At Naples, with religious observance and solemn
rite, surpliced processions, bearing the insignia of the Church,
did honour to the name of the benefactor. From among
the European and Native Races of India a Subscription
amounting to over £8000 was raised and presented to the
English physician. In England, with unanimous consent,
Parliament voted for Jenner's private purse a sum of