76 Vaccine Inoculation. 



had completely passed through all the stages of the 

 vaccina. 



But it is very certain, that many children who had 

 never been vaccinated, have been affected with simi- 

 lar swellings and eruptions, in the United-States, as 

 well as in the Isles of France and Reunion ; and, con- 

 sequently, that there does not appear to be any neces- 

 sary connection between these affections and the ef- 

 fects of the virus of the vaccine disease. It is im- 

 possible to urge this important truth with too much 

 zeal ; not merely to remove or weaken the prejudices 

 of die more uninformed class of our citizens ; but to 

 awaken the exertions of some very respectable practi- 

 tioners, who, governed by the prejudice which I have 

 mentioned, have either refused to continue^ even after 

 having begun, the practice of vaccination ; or who 

 linger in the practice, with a listless indifference, or 

 carelessness. 



I cannot pretend to deny, that there have not oc- 

 curred, in Pennsylvania, any cases of the communi- 

 cation of small-pox (either by inoculation or by 

 the natural infection) to persons who had been vacci- 

 nated, and who had passed through all the stages of 

 the disease. The ivhispers of some of our practition- 

 ers on this subject have been heard. But why arc 

 they not heard more distinctly ? On a point of such 

 magnitude, it is the duty of every candid physician, 

 attached to his profession and to truth, to speak with 

 confidence, where his experience has been sure and 



