164 . Chronicles of Science. [Jan. 
all possess a considerable scientific and practical value, it may not be 
without interest to examine into some of the leading conclusions to 
which Mr. Simon has been led in the course of his inquiries. 
The existence during the last few years of several wide-spread 
epidemics of small-pox, in different parts of the country, has caused 
much public attention to be directed to the working of the various 
statutes which the Legislature has enacted for the national protection 
against that disease. Doubts have even been thrown by some on the 
efficiency of the vaccine matter at present employed. It has been as- 
sumed that its protecting powers have been, through long-continued 
transmission from one individual to another, worn out or greatly im- 
paired, and that a more frequent recourse to the original source from 
which it was obtained ought to have been resorted to. But on this 
matter Mr. Simon speaks both decidedly and assuringly. He re- 
quested Mr. Robert Ceely, of Aylesbury, “to whom more than to any 
man, since Jenner, the medical profession of this country is indebted 
for its knowledge of the natural history of vaccination,” to inspect all 
the sources whence lymph is conveyed to the National Vaccine Hstab- 
lishment; and the result of that inspection has been to assure Mr. 
Ceely “of the perfectly satisfactory character of the lymph there in 
use.” 
Of the workings of the different enactments for ensuring a complete 
system of vaccination the report is anything but satisfactory—nay, 
the public defences against small-pox are in a great measure insufficient 
and delusive. The neglect of local authorities in enforcing vaccina- 
tion in the workhouses and schools under their control; the imperfec- 
tion of the arrangements for providing at the public expense thoroughly 
good vaccination, so that it should be everywhere and gratis within 
reach of those who may choose to avail themselves of it; and the 
omission In many cases to give the required notification of such 
arrangements, even when they may have been provided, have all ope- 
rated in bringing Mr. Simon to this conclusion. But now that attention 
has been directed to these cases of neglect in the working of the exist- 
ing machinery, it is to be hoped that means will be taken to ensure a 
thorough vaccination of the people, and if needful to compel it. We 
are slow indeed in this country to enact anything which may seem to 
impose an unnecessary restriction on personal liberty; but the per- 
sonal liberty of the individual must always be subordinate to the 
general good. The welfare of the whole community is so closely con- 
nected with this question of compulsory vaccination, that we should 
not regret to see the day when the production of a vaccination certifi- 
cate will be as essential to holding any office, to gaining employment, 
or to obtaining admittance to a school, as an attestation of correct 
principles and good moral character. 
The diseases of animals employed as food by man possess an 
interest both in a sanatory and economic point of view. The in- 
fluence which the flesh of diseased animals exercises upon those who 
may consume it has for some time attracted attention. Many strong 
representations on this subject have been made by Professor John 
Gamgee, Principal of the New Veterinary College, Edinburgh, and in 
