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43
it is no inducement for them to follow up children
for the purpose of securing their vaccination.
In carrying out the provisions of the Vaccination
Act, there is great difference in various parishes.
It is almost impossible in London for instance for
one parish to succeed in arresting small pox by
vaccination, when surrounding parishes are indifferent
to the subject. The constant emigration of families
from one parish to another is enormous, and a concerted
plan of action for all London parishes is
required before even registered children can be
expected to be vaccinated.
But whilst indifference on the part of the legislature,
and of the bodies to whom they have entrusted
power, prevents vacciuation on the one hand, there
is another, and even greater evil springing up
through popular opposition to the practice on the
other. Whilst the great bulk of the intelligent
medical men of Europe, the majority of rulers,
legislators, and statesman, and the great bulk of
the people, have accepted vaccination as one of the
greatest of human benefits, there has been always a
small minority of persons who have raised objections,
to the practice. Amongst this minority is nowhere
to be found men of science or seekers for the truth.
The mass is composed of a few with more