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which were to the effect that I was of opinion that such provision
could be best made by some Central Authority of a representative
character.
On the subject of vaccination and re-vaccination I have not
much to say that will be new to you. I presume that all those,
except the wilfully blind, are alive to the protective influence of
both operations. I am afraid that many people consider themselves
protected for life by the vaccination performed in infancy. It has
been shewn, however, that the influence of the primary vaccination
becomes weaker as the individual advances towards puberty, and it
is, therefore, essential for his further protection that the operation
should be performed again at or about that period. The daily
press, during the last twelve months, has brought before you
numerous examples of the protective power of re-vaccination; it
has quoted instances in the Army, the Navy, the Post-Office,
and in the establishments of the Smallpox Hospitals and, I may
mention the fact, that of one hundred and twenty persons suffering
from Smallpox, who came under my notice during the year, not
one had been re-vaccinated, although the great majority were of an
age to have submitted to the operation.
An attempt was made last year to bring into Parliament a Bill
limiting the extent of the operation of the Vaccination Acts. It
was proposed—"That no parent of a child should be liable to be
convicted for neglecting to take or cause, to be taken, such child