Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-05

FGcctn0tlOu.
FEBRUARY 2ed, 1899.
Head, and the resolution therein contained
concurred in by the House
Inc committee to whom was referred the
resolution of the 9th inst directing them to
inquire whether it be necessary to make
any modification of the law passed ia the
year 1918, entitled can act to encourage
vaccinations" have had the same under con-
sderation, and
REPORT
That the committee have not deemed il
necessary to report the various reflections
which have presented themselves upon the
subject of vaccination, but feel confidence i'm
the belief, that the opinion heretofore enter
tanned of its being "a preventive of the small
pox is well founded, and believe it one ofthe
greatest benefits bestowed upon the country,
and one which ought to be cherished nv every
citizen of the republic.
They are aware, that disease called by
medical gentlemen varioloid, has, within a
lew years past, made its appearance in Eu-
rope-that. 1T much resembles the small pOx-
and, under similar circumstances, has been az
'ata' as mat disease ever was-none are ex-
empt from its influence, neither those who
have had the small pox, nor yet those who
have been exposed to the influence of the
vaccne-but it is gratifying to find that the
weight OF authority seems to favor a belief,
That all those exposed to the Infection of the
latter suffer much less than any others.
The committee have seen, with pain and
regret, the occurrences which have lately
iranspred in the state of North Carolina,
where the physicians in that part ofthe coun-
try believed the small pOx TO exist. These
OCCURRENCES were Of such character as to
claim Their attention, particularly as the Unit
tea States vaccine agent, appointed pursuant
10 The provisions of the act referred to in the
resolution, seemed to create doubt as to the
efficacy of vaccine in the prevention of small
pox, and left the impression cqtvocal, wheth-
er II was not his belief that it was the vario-
loId disease in North Carolina, produced by
some change IN the vaccine matter, whilst on
It's way to physician in that state, to whom
he had sent 1t, or whether it had not assumed
that character from the circumstance of the
small pox epidemic in the ncighborhood from
whence 1t was sent. They have ,forborne to
remark upon that transaction, as the vaccine
agent has since ascertained and acknowledged
that 1t was the genuine small pox matter he
had sent To North Carolina through his own
mistake, which at once relieves the fears of
those who doubt the efficacy of the cow pox
ii there are any such-and dissipated the mist
which hung over the subject, in the opinion of
all who did not doubt.
1t is proper to remark, that the disease call
cd yar0ioid seems to partake more of the
character of small pox than of vaccine, and
that there Is no fact, within the scope of their
enquiry, 10 induce the committee TO believe
that vaccine ever has degeBerated into vario-
lold. Ii is unqnestonaby true, that instances
nave occurred where persons have taken the
small poN alter having the vaccine, though
such instances, are as uncommon as it is for
persons to take the small pox a second time.
The tranquility of settled belief has been
disturbed by illusions 10 the difficulty Ofsecur-
ing the continuance of genuine matter, tho
no doubt is entertained by your committee
that proper attention will overcome every
obstacle of that kind, eradicate every evil, and
finally triumph over prejudice itself. Some
reproach may have been brought upon vacci-
nation--nOt however the result Of any well
founded doubt as TO its efficacy-but from the
ignorance or carelessness of those who have
used 1t, as 1t IS well known that many bcnev.
client persons throughout the community have
] taken upon themselves to vaccinate their
friends and others, and, doubtless, have done
much gOod-but if, in the progress of time, by
want Of care, the matter should have become
!. spurious, there is not adequate experience to
detect the change, and consequently some
risk OF exposing the person to small pox,
/ thereby bringing danger to the sufferer and
unjust reproach TO the COW pox. This kind
of incubation, done by every individual who
feels charitably inclined, il with care, is not
disapproved of, though they are decidedly of
opinion, that it would be much better to trust
it to the judgment and care of the medical
gentlemen of the country.
The Committee have deemed it not irrele-
want to state a fsw prominent facts in regard to
: the effects Of these diseases in different coun-
tries, which will more clearly shew the pro-
gress of opinion, and the advantages of vacci-
nation. In the first place, il is proper to state
that there is authority for estimating the deaths
IN the natural small poy at one in six; and,
though more intimate knowledge of that ma
lady, together with any benefit arising from
incubation, may have put it more in the pow
erof physicians to control it, yet, in Great
Britain, where vaccination is less attended to
: than III some other European countries, fifty
Thousand persons are annually destroyed by
lIt.-But, even there, by vaccination all agree
the waste Of human life has been lessened. 1t
not only secures the person from the small
pox, but greatly lessons the danger 10 be APP
pretended from the yarioloid disease, rs may
be seen by reference to highly respectable an-
thority, which states that, at Maw, in France,
containing about eight thousand inhabitants,
two hundred vaccinated persons took the va
rlol0Id disease, and every one recovered,
whist two hundred persons who had not
been yaccinatcd were destroyed.
In Denmark, by the care which the govern
menl mas taken to cause the people to vacci-
, nate, the small pox no longer exists. This re-
medy was introduced into that country about
the year 1900, by laws which we're yigilantly
enforced. BY these laws, IT was ordered that
no person should be received Mt confirmation,
5 admitted TO any school, bound apprentice to
any trade, or married, who had not been vac