SMALLPOX.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1883, 17 October 1913, Page 4

SMALLPOX.

AND COMPULSORY VACCINATION

Discussing the need for further preventive measures against the spread of smallpox in case the epidemic Eliould at any time recur, Dr. Rangihiroa, member for Northern Maori, had something to say yesterday in tho Houso of Representatives about tho desirability of making vaccination compulsory, or rather for making tho present compulsion ofRangihiroa said the clause in the Public Health Act made vaccination compulsory in name only, because there was a conscience clause. There was an opinion current among certain people that doctors wero anxious to enforce vaccination in order to get fees. This, of course, was an insult to an honourable profession. And when the statistics of the effect of vnccinatiou in the recent epidemic as a preventive of smallpox were worked out, they would show u startling proof of tho efficacy of vaccination in protecting people against smallpox. The epidemic had died down now, but there was no proof that tho disease would not crop up again next winter. He would suggest that it should not be made so easy to escape vaccination, anil that only for very good cause shown. should exemption ever be granted. He would especially like to 980 compulsory, vaccination appliod to Maoris,