The Story of a Great Delusion in a Series of Matter-of-Fact ChaptersWhite, William
History
The Story of a Great Delusion in a Series of Matter-of-Fact Chapters
White, William
Vaccination
It is unnecessary to mention the specific instances of misconduct
which were established. They regarded even the very name of the
affection; the method of managing the pustules; the characters of
correct vaccination; the precautions to be observed in conducting
the practice, etc., etc.
Moore states the offence plainly--
Walker’s method of taking lymph was to cut open the vesicles, and
to wipe out the contents with lint, in order to procure the fresh
secretion. This harsh treatment of infants was the reverse of
that which he was directed to employ; and as he was unalterable
in his resolution, it was at length deemed necessary to remove
him.[132]
Turning to the _Life of Walker_, by Dr. Epps, we have the
difference ’twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee still further
illustrated--
Two different modes have been adopted in taking the matter of
inoculation from the vaccinated subject: one, by making punctures
round the outer part of the pock, Dr. Jenner’s mode; the other,
by removing the crust or scab from the centre of the pock,
wiping out the fluid beneath it, and then taking the matter,
indiscriminately, from any part of the whole substance of the
pock, Dr. Walker’s mode.[133]
As in brawls and wars generally, the ostensible offence is rarely
the true or entire offence, so when we revert to the events of
1805-6 we discover that Vaccination was being found out, and that
Walker served Jenner’s purpose opportunely as scape-goat. Walker’s
behaviour, too, constituted him a convenient victim. Many who
cared nothing for his mode of “taking lymph” had been hurt by his
scorn of their self-importance, and were ready to assist Jenner in
effecting his humiliation. Mr. Cline, the surgeon, after listening
to many speeches against Walker, summed up the indictment, “All
they complain of are his _dress_ and _address_.” A naval officer,
meeting Walker on 25th July, said, “I came to town to-day to hold
up my hand in your support. You and Jenner do not agree over some
trifles, and your enemies wish to turn the fact to your hurt, but
they have been beaten. Is the man who launches a vessel the only
one who can navigate her? If Jenner were to live for fifty years to
come, he could never have the authority of your experience.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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