Smallpox and vaccination historically and medically considered : an inquiry into the causes of the recent increase of smallpox, and the means for its prevention / by Alfred Collinson.

  • Collinson, Alfred.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Smallpox and vaccination historically and medically considered : an inquiry into the causes of the recent increase of smallpox, and the means for its prevention / by Alfred Collinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    88/94 (page 82)
    is cast on the Registrar, or, indeed, on any one else, of instituting any inquiry to see whether all children born in the district have, in fact, been vaccinated. Again, although the Act imposes a penalty, there is no one whose duty it is to enforce it in case of disobedience. The consequence of these omissions is, that to a great extent the Act remains a dead letter. Now, I would venture to suggest that a duty should be imposed on the Registrar of comparing the register from time to time with the certificates of vaccination, and of reporting to the parish officers the cases in which vaccination has been neglected; and that a duty should be cast on these last-mentioned officers to summon the offending parties before magistrates, with a view to their conviction and the infliction of the penalty. It may also well be questioned, whether the maximum of the penalty is not too low; and whether provision ought not to be made for a further conviction, with increased penalties, on non-comphance within a further short period; and so from time to time, until the law has been obeyed. No reasonable objection, it is apprehended, can be raised to coercive legislation in a matter so vitally affecting the well-being of the whole body of the com- munity. Infants, unable to secure to themselves the means of future safety, are entitled to be protected against the possible neglect or culpable indifference of parents. Where the safety of all is involved, it cannot be questioned that the State is justified in interfering with the freedom of individual action to insure the common safety, and protect the whole body of society from the danger of pestilence and death. The Registrar-General of Scotland informs us, that