The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-25 00:00:00

THE NEW VACCINATION BILL.

Yesterday afternoon a deputation from the Me-
tropolitan Association of Medical °Memo( Health waited
on Lord Robert Montagu, Vioe-President of the Council,
at Downing-street, for the purpose of calling his atten-
tion to what they consider objectionable clauses in the new
Vaccination Bill introduced into parliament. The deputa-
tion °omitted of Dr. Druitt (president of the antocietion),
Dr. Letheby, Dr. Lankester, Dr. Buchanan, Dr. Aldia,
Dr. Tripe, Dr. Iliff, Dr. Nortlicote Vinen, and Mr.
Reudle.

Dr. Dauirr, after some introductory remarks, said that
some of the provisions of the bill were exceedingly unpopu-
lar with the medical profession, especially those reLUn.
to the system of compulsory certificates.
Lord ROBERT MoNTAuL asked what was the ground of
objection
Dr. Daurer said the system was altogether unnecessary,
and he believed it would not secure the objects con-
templated by the bill. It seemed to be gene-
rally admitted that the only certificate of sue-
ceesful vaccinatioa that was neoensare was the scars on
the arm of the person who underwent the operation. It
often happened, and was indeed a well-known fact, that
certificates were given in many cases without proper justi-
fication. With regard to the registration of cases which
had been successfully vaccinated, it was the opinion of a
large body of the medical profession that the system would
not only be expensive but very unpopular, and would fail
to attain the objects aimed at. On the other hand, if a
system of inspection by • well-qualified medical practi-
tumor were established, the result would be much more
effective, and the expense would not be se peat. As an
instance of the ineffective operation of the certificate sys-
tem he mentioned that in the parish of St. George,
Hanover-square, no child was admitted into any of the
schools without a certificate of successful vaccina-
tion, but notwithstanding that rule children had
obtained admission who had not been vaccinated.
As a further precaution it was then determined that every
child should undergo an inspection, whereby the unvacci-
nated were eliminated, and the schools were thus pro-
tected from contagious outbreaks. One of the greatest
objections to the system of compulsory registration was
the difficulty of carrying it out, owing to the migratory
habits of the poorer portions of the population.
Lord it. klograuu then understood that the objection
was valid only in so far as it applied to the poorer da.m.e...
Mr. Damn said that was so ; but the question remained
whether it was worth while to commence a system which
would be exceedingly laborious and expensive, sa well as
objectionable, to the medical proles...ion, and which after
all would not have the desired effect.

Dr. TRIPE said that the system of compulsory vacci-
nation had completely failed. Very few of the certifi-
testes were returned to the registrar, and very little
reliance could be placed on them as showing the number
of cases successfully treated. Ho quite concurred in the
opinion that a system of inspection, if properly carried
out, would be far more efficient, and if a clause to that
effect were introduced into the new bill one great ground
of objection to it would be removed.
Lord ROBERT MONTAGU asked why the medical officers
of health should not be trusted with the duty of giving
certificates in all cases of successful vaccination. • _

Dr. Tura replied that people could not be got tobelieve
in a parish doctor. (Laughter.)
Mr. ligtein../., in the course of some remarks, said that
no system of vaccination would be complete until some
machinery were put into operation for the compulsory
registration of births.
Lord Hour. MONTAGU said that if the bill were intended
to apply to the metropolis and other large towns, be
thought the system of inspection would work very well,
but he did not think it would be adapted to the rural die.
tricts. The object was to pass a general measure to meet
the requirements of the whole country, and after they
had done that they *mkt perhaps introduce a bill to
apply to the metropolis and other populous places.
Dr. Lankurricit concurred in the opinion that in order
to have a good vaccination act it was necessary that there
should be a compulsory registration of births. There
should be an accurate return of the cases successfully
vaccinated, which should be made to correspond with the
return of the number of persons born, and in that way
all the objects contemplated by the vaccination laws might
be secured.
Lord ROBERT MONTAGU promised that the subject should
have his best consideration.

Theclepiiationtieitianked his lordship and withdrew.