1^ faccination. 87 



those of the small-pox ; and maintain that the result of the 

 cases has removed all doubt ; for persons have been inocu- 

 lated with the m.ittcr from these patients, by which the 

 most distinct small-pox have been produced, and exhibited at 

 the Vaccme Institution in Broad-street. By this institution 

 the investigation has been carried to a great extent. The 

 gentlemen of that establishment have found, on what they 

 consider clear evi<Jenee, that the two patients had, within 

 from two to four years, undergone the cow-pock in such a 

 manner as has been usunlly considered by the best judges 

 suiicienl to atford security against the small-pox. It is not 

 therefore surprising that the opponents of vaecinaMon, as 

 well as many well-disposed but not well-informed persons, 

 sliouid speak unfivourably of the new practice, and endea- 

 vour to set it aside. On the other hand, the friends of vac- 

 cination represent ihcsc cases as on the same footing with 

 those of persons taking the small-pox the second time, and 

 maintain that the instances of taking the small-pox after 

 cow-pr.ck, are n)t greater at present than those of taking 

 the small-pox the second time. We understand that a 

 ■somewhat ditlerent conclusion from any of the above, is 

 likely to he drawn by the medical establishment of the 

 Bioad-strctt In-tiiution ; namely, that it docs now appear 

 that the best authenticated instances of small-pox after the 

 cow-pock, occur nuich more frequently than even the sup- 

 posed instances of small-pox a second time ; yet they arc of 

 •f)pinion that, provided the constitution be duly atiected by 

 the vaccine infection, it is as certain a preventive of the 

 ■small-poK as variolous inoculation, and hence that it will be 

 necessary in future to take precautions wliich have hitherto 

 not been known or commonly employed. This .will give 

 5ome additional trouble, and render it necessary for prac- 

 titioners to pay more attention to the study of the cow- 

 pock than they have hitherto done; and it will show the 

 dantrer of the practice in the hands of persons not of the 

 medical profe>sion. We understand, also, that notice has 

 been given by one of the medical gentlemen of the above 

 institution, that he will present a niemoir at the next quar- 

 terly meetiuL'', to counnunicate the measures to be taken to 

 f)btain security for the future, and to satisfy the minds of 

 families who may be in doubt respecting their children al- 

 ready inoculated. I'>om t' is account it would seem as if 

 the statement of evidence lately publijihed by the Vaccine 

 Institution, before the occurrence of the above cases, was 



fiven more strongly in favour of the practice than that 

 ody would now be inclined to give it; though we confess 

 F 4 w c 



