The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-04-24
BY THE MAILS.
From the New-York Advertiser,1
. sasV .
VACCINATION.

4 committee OF the House OF Repre-
seItatives of the United States, have re-
ported against the policy of continuing a
nitional agency for the distribution of
natter for vaccination throughout the
country We fully agree in opinion with
item on this subject. Without regard to
cher considerations, if this is a proper
subject of Legislative regulation, it most
dearly falls within the jurisdiction ofthe
tate governments; and all powers that
belong TO the latter, ought to be exer-
dsed by them. But the experiment has
hewn most decisively that it was in itself
IN impolitick measure. BY some Unfor-
Eunate mistake, it would seem, that in
stead of vaccine matter, that for the
smallpox was communicated from the a.
gents office to distant part Of the coun-
try, and by means of it aneighbourhood
were subjected TO all the distresses of
that terrible disease The effects ofthis
$50 nofexciusIvcIy vvaa..-ss ~
the place or the persons in this unfortu-
nate manner viaited by this destructive
malady. 1t has, to certain extent, sha-
ken the pubick confidence in the kline
pox as complete substitute for, and Sc
curity against, the smallpox; and as far
as that feeling prevails, the country may
be considered as having sustained Sc
rious misfortune. 1t would seem to be
impossible atthepresent time, that doubts
as to the effects ofthe kine-pox could ex-
ist. Ii is now more than twenty years
since it has been extensively known and
practised and in the course of that time,
it has spread with rapidity which has
astonished the verdi Many millions of
people, in greatmany different regions
ofthe globe, haveexperienced the bene-
fits of this wonderful discovery many
thousands Of persons have been presery-
ed by it from most affecting and
disgusting maIady, and multitudes from
death. So completely and absolutely has
the experiment been tried, and such is
the decisive nature ofthe evidence ofits
success, that the snall-poxhas, to great
extent, ceased to be terror to the
world--we scarcely think oft, excepting
ncaseswhere, by an unfortunate, we may
almost say criminal, inattention to vacci-
nation, or stubborn incredibly in its
efficacy, the former disease occasionally
makes its appearance. and reminds those
by whomit is experienced of their great
and objectionable negligence in slight
ing the safe, easy, and certain proven
tive.
Every person who is old enough to
recollect the state efthings in this city be-
fore the introduction ofthe kine-pox, can
not but feel the difference between its
circumstances at that period and the
present. Then no man, let the necessity
be ever SO urgent, dares TO visitit, unless
he had previously had the smallpox
The risque was as much as his life was
worth. Now, the disease is unknown.
No person thinks Of inquiring whether it
is safe to go to New York on this ac-
count. All persons come here fearless
iy, and with safety. Now this is owing
solely and entirely to the efficacy Of the
kine-pox.
We wish most sincerely that the state
governments would take the subject in
to consideration, and, as far as may lie
within their power, encourage and pro-
mote vaccination. All regularly bred
physicians are capable of managing the
disease, probably as well as the agent of
The nation. Their own interest and rep
utation would lead them to such course
OF practice, as would be safe and rea-
sonable in point Of expense to the pa