( ix)
thus obtained, from the circumstance that only one successful case ensued from the
crust taken from the cow, and that fresh lymph from the pustules which arose upon
the cows was always unsuccessful; and hence, to all who have had much dealings with
the natives of India, this fact is sufficiently suggestive; yet it is stated " the
superiority of the lymph derived from this source was proved beyond doubt, and the
natives appeared to place great confidence in it." In the same report the supposed
discovery of genuine cow-pox amongst the cows of Assam is recorded, where several
native children were vaccinated from the lymph obtained from scabs on the back of a
cow affected with " Mutha," and no doubts of the genuineness of the lymph were
excited until two English children were operated on, when it was found small-pox, and
not cow-pox, supervened in both cases. It is stated " this was more than suspected
to have happened in many of the native children who had generally dispersed a few
days after the operation, and were not again heard of." As there are many spurious
forms of cow-pox amongst cows, it is a matter of first consequence, if circumstances
render it necessary to draw a fresh supply of virus from the cow in order to induce
protection of the vaccinated, that the most accurate distinction should be made
between the genuine and spurious forms ; and this is rendered the more difficulty as
the true and false diseases may be prevalent at the same time. It is acknowledged by
the English physicians at the present day that, from the great variety of affections in
the cow, and the few opportunities of acquiring a practical knowledge of the subject, the
most prudent plan, supposing it is deemed expedient to renew our supply of lymph, is
to produce the disease in the cow by inoculation.
2. Whether it is advisable to try here the experiment of inoculating Cows with
vaccine matter brought from Europe, with the view of obtaining fresh vaccine lymph.—
This is called "Retro-vaccination,"
or the artificial communication of cow-pox to the
cow from the human subject. The only late instance on record in the Medical Board
Office was by Dr. Cotes, Staff Surgeon of Neemuch, when in charge of Artillery
there in 1855, who, after mentioning that it was difficult to maintain Vaccination in
that part of Rajpootana, states " After some failures the introduction of lymph sent
direct from Germany was followed in August last (1855) by complete success. The
lymph arrived in a fluid condition, having been carefully preserved in a small glass-
tube, hermetically sealed, and fitted closely in a quill. Two successful cases resulted,
and the virus from one child was re-transmitted through a cow, with the view of
obtaining, as it was supposed, a more energetic quality of lymph. These expectations
were not disappointed, and the children of those belonging to the Company of the
Artillery (Golundauze) were vaccinated from the virus obtained through this source,
and the pustules in most instances were ' large, full, with well-defined and raised
margins, and of a pure hue.' " The objects had in view in retro-vaccination have
been many, and have found advocates and opponents at different times. Some writers
have argued that the quality of the lymph is improved ; others have maintained that
it is deteriorated by the process ; but practically speaking, the only useful object of
retro-vaccination is to increase the supply of vaccine matter. It is contended by the
Germans, that the process of retro-vaccination has the effect of renewing the efficiency
of lymph supposed to be impaired by repeated transmission through the human
subject; but it is denied by nearly all the best writers and observers, that vaccine
lymph does suffer any deterioration by being propagated and transmitted from one