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
Lord HENRY PETTY in summing up the debate expressed his
satisfaction with the general approval extended to his motion.
He did not think the House competent to form a judgment on
Vaccination. They could not decide whether cowpox was genuine or
spurious, or whether the affection resulting from its inoculation
was regular or otherwise; nor could they determine whether
eruptions that might break out after Vaccination were induced by
the operation, or were due to other causes. Such delicate questions
could only be solved by medical men. As for the proposal to annex
the Royal College of Surgeons to that of the Physicians, it was
superfluous. The College of Physicians would not only consult
the Surgeons, but the Medical Colleges of Scotland and Ireland
likewise. If the report should prove favourable, it would then be
his duty to propose that remuneration be awarded to Dr. Jenner for
his inestimable discovery.
The motion was then put from the Chair and agreed to unanimously.
It is needless to remark that the report of the College of
Physicians was a mere formality toward a vote of credit for
Jenner’s relief. He lay heavy on many hands, and none were more
anxious to be relieved from the pressure than certain influential
members of the College whose report was solicited. The operation
was skilfully planned for the end designed, and Lord Henry Petty
allowed himself to be primed and applied with singular facility:
but public men have often to deliver as of themselves what is
communicated by others, and to stand responsible for absurdities of
which they are unconscious.
FOOTNOTES:
[136] Baron’s _Life of Jenner_, vol. ii. p. 162.
[137] Baron’s _Life of Jenner_, vol. ii. p. 55.
CHAPTER XV.
REPORT OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS.
The Report of the Physicians appeared on the 10th April, 1807, a
verbose document, wherein assertion and conjecture were awkwardly
intermingled. As to the extension of the practice, it was said--
During eight years which have elapsed since Dr. Jenner made his
discovery public, the progress of Vaccination has been rapid, not
only in all parts of the United Kingdom, but in every quarter
of the civilised world. In the British Islands some hundred
thousands have been vaccinated; in our possessions in the East
Indies upwards of 800,000, and among the nations of Europe the
practice has become general.
Professional men have submitted it to the fairest trials, and the
public for the most part have received it without prejudice. The
testimony in its favour has been most strong and satisfactory,
and the practice of it, though it has received a check in some
quarters, appears to be upon the increase in most parts of the
United Kingdom.
From the Report it appeared that the opposition to Vaccination
proceeded from the Inoculators; and the document may be described
as a charge against the old practice as much as a positive defence
of the new--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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