Remote Effects of Vaccination.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3985, 6 October 1881, Page 2

Remote Effects of Vaccination.

In answer to the letter of " A Married Man" in last night's issue upon the! subject of vaccination, we give the following extract from page 152 of Dr-Roberts' well known work, " The Theory and Practice of Medicine ":—" There cannot be the.slightest doubt in the mind of any unprejudiced observer with regard to the powerfully protective influence of vaccination against the ravages of small pox. In a large proportion of cases, if vaccination has been thoroughly and efficiently performed, and especially after re-vacciuatioo, there is absolute and complete protection against this malady. But even when it is not entirely prevented, the disease manifests itself ouly in a slight and modified form, is scarcely attended with any danger, and does not leave behind the hideous disfigurement which it produces if allowed to proceed unchecked. Epidemics have been much less frequent and severe since the introduction of the practice of vaccination, and this result has been in direct proportion to the efficiency of the measures which have been put in force to ensure general and successful vaccination. This has been observed in every part of the. world and among all races. It is very important to bear in mind that in proportion to the number and typical characters of t!ie vaccination marks will this immunity from small pox be more certain. It has been staled that certain affections are transmitted by vaccination, especially cutaneous diseases, scrofula, aad syphilis. There is no reliable evidence that this happens to any extent, but cases have been brought forward by Mr Hutchison and others which indicate that Such a result does occasionally occur, and in order to guard against the mere possibility of this evil, it is riecessary to pay strict attention to the precautions already alluded to, and especially to see that the vaccine lymph is taken from a perfectly healthy child."