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14
conclusion after having held 136 meetings, and having
examined 187 witnesses.
Taking the report in sections, Section A is devoted to
the enquiry "as to the effect of vaccination in reducing
the prevalence of and mortality from smallpox." The
Commissioners dealing with the history of the spread
of the disease and of its treatment, describe fully the
introduction and rapid spread of the practice of
vaccination, dating from 1798, finding that about that
date "the doctrine that cowpox protects against
smallpox was generally accepted in most countries of
Europe."
At a recent meeting of the Society of Medical
Officers of Health, it was decided that they would
endorse generally the following proposals of the
Royal Commissioners, viz.:
1—To allow Public Vaccinators to offer calf
lymph as a substitute for human lymph in all
cases in which it may be preferred.
2—To extend the period within which a child is
at present required to be vaccinated.
3—To provide for the medical treatment of
children after vaccination, so far as it may
be necessary to ensure good results.
4—To provide for the more effectual supervision
of tramps and common lodging houses.
5—To ensure better means than now exist for
enforcing the provision of proper accommodation
in every sanitary district for the
isolation of smallpox and other infectious
diseases.