THE CONQUEST OF DISEASE 



all wounds. Scratches from pins and splinters 

 are much more dangerous. Every operation, 

 however slight, has its dangers. But the haz- 

 ard of vaccination is not so great as taking an 

 anesthetic, having a tooth pulled, crossing the 

 street, riding in a car, or going shopping. It 

 is practically negligible when compared with 

 the great benefit to be derived. A few unvac- 

 cinated persons in a community protected by 

 vaccination are not apt to have small-pox ; but 

 if every member of the community were as 

 neglectful of this duty to himself and society, 

 the danger would become decidedly great. By 

 care, any danger in vaccination can be reduced 

 to nothing. 



Wherever vital statistics are kept the im- 

 munizing power of vaccination is proved. In 

 Germany, Austria, France, America, and 

 Japan- -the whole world- -the results have 

 been the same. Vaccination and revaccination 

 prevent the disease ; and persons so immunized 

 are exposed to the presence of small-pox with- 

 out fear of contracting it. To secure this 

 immunity a large number of young heifers are 

 subjected to the inconvenience of being 

 scrubbed scrupulously clean, wrapped in sterile 

 cloths, and occasionally strapped to a table to 



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