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47
on by the Cow Pox. Although the child appeared
healthy there can be no doubt in this case that it
was predisposed to Erysipelas, and might have sunk
from the same cause by any other disease. The
causes of death from vaccination are exceedingly
rare, and are so insignificant, as compared with the
enormous amount of life saved by its effect on the
system, that any opposition to its use must be
regarded in all civilised communities as a punishable
offence. Nor are its effects on the system in any
way injurious. There is no proof whatever that any
other disease can be communicated at the same
time with the Cow Pox. In the case of the last
child several children were vaccinated from it two
days before the Erysipelas broke out, but in no
instance did any of the children suffer from
Erysipelas.
As these cases were seized on by those who
profess to believe that vaccination is of no benefit to
the community, I requested the Vestry to allow me
to draw up a statement for circulation in reference
to the facts and reasons which had induced the
Legislation to pass Acts for the Compulsory Vaccination
of Children.
Facts and Reasons in Favour of Vaccination and the
Vaccination Laws.
I.—Persons who have once had the Small Pox are not liable
to take it a second time. In the last century Inoculation of