TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 119 



this question remarked, " Within a very short time more than forty cases of \-ac- 

 cinal syphilis have been observed and accepted as open to no doubt by many 

 scientific men. All the theories, all the false interpretations, all the subtleties of 

 those who, ag-aiust evidence, persist in their denial, cannot in any way weaken 

 these facts. Syphilis introduced i)ito the system by vaccination is no myth, it is a 

 sad and terrible reality.'' 



As we cannot deny the existence of the transmission of disease, the public 

 should be supplied, in presence of compidsory vaccination, " with an uncontami- 

 nated vaccine lymph.'' 



Is humanized lymph of long standing a trustworthy prophylactic against small- 

 pox ? It is not. The present vaccine lymph is degenerated, and has lost much 

 of its antivariolic power. 



If we begin with Jenner, we find that at that date direct inociUation from the 

 cow, in other words, " animal vaccination," is a most perfect and lasting protection 

 against smallpox. A few cases of post- vaccinal smallpox were noticed as soon as 

 natural animal vaccination was superseded by the use of humanized lymph. This 

 percentage gradually increased. In the London Smallpox Hospital from 1835 

 to 1845, the admission of patients attacked with smallpox, after vaccination, was 

 already 44 per cent. ; from 1845 to 1855 it rose to 64 per cent. ; fi-om 1855 to 

 18G5 to 78 per cent. ; and during the two years 1863 and 1864, it was as high as 

 eiyhty-three and eighty-four per cent, respectively. 



The deaths from smallpox after vaccination have also gi'adually increased, from 

 none in 1800 they rose above nine per cent, in 1863; so that if we consider the in- 

 creased resusceptibility to smallpox, and the increased fatality amongst the vacci- 

 nated, we arrive at very discouraging results ; for example, during the ten j'ears 

 from 1855 to 1865, the mortality in the London Smallpox Hospital gives for the 

 unvaccinated only GO more than for the vaccinated ! the number being for the 

 vaccinated 450, for the unvaccinated 528 ! What does this teach us ? To foUow 

 the example of those who first practised animal vaccination ; do as the milkers of 

 cows did, and seek for a perfect protection in a return to the prophjdactic in all 

 its purity. 



Animal vaccination offers the following advantages : — 



1. The liealthy heifer, inoculated with pure spontaneous cowpox, supplies a 

 vaccine lymph free from all morbid and diathetic principles. 



2. Spontaneous cowpox, by being transmitted only through the bovine race, 

 retains all its essential qualities. 



3. Vaccination direct from the heifer offers all the characteristics of the cowpox, 

 as described hj Jenner, Ceely, &c., with such modifications only as are due to the 

 passage of the lymph through young and healthy animals. 



4. By animal vaccination we have always on hand an unlimited supply of good 

 vaccine lymph. 



Voltaic Electricity in relation to Physiology.* By W. Kencely Beidgman. 



At the Meeting held in Norwich in 1868, the author read a paper on " Electro- 

 lysis in the Mouth," having reference to an occurrence of a very singular character. 

 A ligature of silk -twist had been applied to some front teeth on account of their 

 malposition, and, when removed, it was foimd to have become encrusted with a 

 crystalline deposit, obtained from the enamel, the surface of which presented a 

 deep groove along the entire course of the ligature. 



To identify this proceeding as one of electrolytic transfer, it was sought to 

 obtain a parallel effect with the metals, and which, according to the author's ex- 

 periments, was successfully accomplished, clearly establishing their unity of origin. 



On the Interpretation of the Limbs and Lower Jaw. 

 By Professor Cleland, M.D. 



In this commimication the following propositions were laid down and illus- 

 trated : — 



* Published in externa in the ' British Journal of Dental Science ' for JNovember I8G9. 



