On Vaccination^ 73 



pital, whilst he carried about him, on his person and his 

 clothes, the means of infection ; and that it had found its 

 way to the several villages of Blofield, Stnimpshavv, 

 Plumpstead, &c. more nearly in the vinicity of Norwich; 

 I attended the monthly meeting of the Guardians on Tues- 

 day, August 4, 1812, for the purpose of making this fact 

 known to ihem, and of representing the danger of receiving 

 the infection, to which the poorer inhabitants of the city 

 would, probably, be exposed. The number of gentlemen 

 present was not sufficient to constitute a court. The ma- 

 jority liowever concurred in the propriety cf directing the 

 attenlion of the public to the subject, and the following 

 paper was ordered to be circulated : 

 " Small-Pox. 

 " The corporation of Guardians of the Poor, in this city, 

 having received information that the small-pox prevails 

 much in the neiglibourhood of Norwich, and that there 

 is every reason to fear that it may soon find its way into the 

 city, and great numbers of the children of the poorer 

 inhabitants being liable to take the infection, the court 

 earnestly recommends that all such children should be un- 

 mediately vaccinated, and for this purpose the city sur- 

 geonf have received directions to vaccinate all who may 

 apply to them, without any expense. And to induce the 

 parents of such children to comply with this recommenda- 

 tion, the court thinks it right to state, that when the small- 

 pox last visited the city, about three years ago, more than 

 two hundred individuals were sacrificed to it; which ca- 

 lamity might have been averted, had a similar measure to 

 that now recommended taken place at that time. 



" Norwich, August 4, 1812." 



This made a considerable impression on the inhabitants, 

 and the early efforts of two gentlemen, who merit, on this 

 occasion, (he most respectful ncjtice, contributed much to 

 forward its important object. Mr. Deacon, one of llie 

 city surgeons, on seeing the paper, thought it right imme- 

 diately to go round his district, with the hope of inducing 

 the poor families to consent to vaccination, and he liad 

 soon the satisfaction of reporting to me more than forty in- 

 dividuals who were ready to undergo it ; and the Rev. Mr. 

 Talbot, minister of St. Mary's, also visited the poor in 

 his parish ; in doing which he found a case of small- 

 pox, which he reported to me ; and being convinced of 

 the fact, I requested the governor to call a special 

 court of guardians, for further discussing the subject, and 

 adopting such means of securing the city from the disease, 

 as the urgency of the circuraslances Hcemed to demand. 



The 



