REPORT OF THE ROYAL VACCINATION COMMISSION. 699 



cases in which the objection arises merely from an indisposition to incur 

 the trouble involved. We do not think such a scheme impossible. 



It must of course be a necessary condition of a scheme of this 

 description that it should be such as would prevent an objection to th& 

 practice being alleged merely as an excuse to save the trouble connected 

 with the vaccination of the child. We may give the following as 

 examples of the methods which might be adopted. It might be provided 

 that if a parent attended before the local authority and satisfied them 

 that he entertained such an objection, no procee(^ings should be taken 

 against him. Or, again, a statutory declaration to that efEect before any 

 one now authorised to take such declaration, or some other specified 

 ofiicial or officials, might be made a bar to proceedings. We do not think 

 it would be any real gain to parents who had no conviction that the 

 vaccination of their children was calculated to do mischief, to take either 

 of these steps rather than submit them to the operation. 



It is in England that the point we have been recently discussing is of 

 most practical importance, but if our suggestion were adopted the change 

 should, of course, be made in all parts of the United Kingdom. 



(Signed) HERSCHELL. 



JAMES PAGET. 



CHAHLES DALRTMPLE. 



W. GUYER HUNTER. 



EDWIN H. GALSWORTHY. 



JOHN S. DUGDALE. 



M. FOSTER. 



JONATHAN HUTCHINSON. 



FREDERICK MEADOWS WHITE. 



SAM. WHITBREAD. 



JOHN A. BRIGHT. 



Bket Ince, 

 August 189G. Secretary. 



The undersigned do not find themselves able to go so far in recom- 

 mending relaxation of the law as is implied. We think that in all cases- 

 in which a parent or guardian refuses to allow vaccination, the person so- 

 refusing should be summoned before a magistrate, as at present, and that 

 the only change made should be to permit the magistrate to accept a 

 sworn deposition of conscientious objection, and to abstain from the 

 infliction of a fine. 



We are also of opinion that, 'in spite of the difficulties as set forth in 

 paragraph 533,* a second vaccination at the age of twelve ought to be mad* 

 compulsory. 



W. GUYER HUNTER. 



JONATHAN HUTCHINSON. 



* Of the Final Report. 



