Those who take success as the test of truth may say that Birch was unsuccessful in his contention; but he was not unsuccessful. Vaccination in London was discredited, and the imposture abated, as the report of the College of Surgeons in 1807 attests. Where retained, it was not so much as a preventive as a mitigator of smallpox, its advocates being content to occupy the safe position that it made milder a disease the severity of which was unknown. Birch died in 1815. His sister reprinted his papers against vaccination (from which have come my citations[162]), and erected a monument to his memory in St. Margaret’s, Rood Lane, Fenchurch Street, the inscription on which is noteworthy. SACRED To the Memory of JOHN BIRCH, _Esquire_, Many years an eminent Surgeon of this Metropolis; who died on the 3rd February, 1815, Aged 69 Years, and whose earthly remains lie deposited under the Pulpit and Desk. _In his professional Character, As humane as he was skilful, He permitted not the daily sight of wounds and sores, Afflictions and wretchedness of every kind, To blunt the edge of his natural feelings, For the sufferings of his Fellow creatures: But, contemning a too hasty reliance on vaunted Theories, Sparing of the Knife--abhorring unnecessary Torture-- A foe to wanton, cruel, or dangerous experiment, Averse from rash operation, and the destruction of parts, Redeemable by patient and judicious care-- He erected for himself a high and distinguished reputation, On the solid, and only secure Basis of ENLIGHTENED EXPERIENCE: Stimulated throughout Life by a wise and Christian-like Ambition, to_ cure, _not_ maim--preserve, _and not destroy_. _Mankind is indebted to him For a more intimate acquaintance with the powers Of MEDICAL ELECTRICITY; By his own ingenious and improved application of which He performed many remarkable and almost unhoped-for cures. But the Practice of COW-POXING, Which first became general in his Day, Undaunted by the overwhelming influence of Power and Prejudice, and the voice of Nations, He uniformly, and until Death, perseveringly opposed; Conscientiously believing it to be a_ Public Infatuation, _Fraught with peril of the most mischievous consequences to Mankind. Whether right or wrong, Time will most surely determine:-- MAN’S MERE OPINIONS MUST EVER BE LIABLE TO ERROR; BUT BY THE MOTIVES THAT SWAY HIS HEART SHALL HE ALONE BE JUDGED._ To perpetuate the remembrance of Qualities so excellent, PENELOPE BIRCH, His affectionate and only surviving Sister, Hath raised this Monument: Not out of a worldly and vain-glorious _Pride of Affinity_; But in order to hand down an Example worthy of Imitation To succeeding Ages.