It must not be thought that I wish to advance the theories of the anti-vaccinationist. I have had my children vaccinated because it is the law, and in the opinion of medical men a preventive against the disease, but viewing the change of medical opinion with reference to cholera during last year, and comparing tests and observations that have been made, they will soon be convinced that vaccination is a futile remedy to use with a view of stamping out the disease.
At present the question is (with medical men) one of theory, but ere long I am certain that they will take a more practical view of the case and definitely fix the origin of this disease and its distribution.
Previous to vaccination being introduced, putrid matter in vaults, cesspits, and drains was allowed to reach a higher state of putrefaction, and thus the poisons from them became more virulent and produced the disease of a more virulent type.
If modern systems of drainage and sanitary arrangements were the means of preventing this high state of putrefaction, and of reducing the disease to a milder form, perfecting these arrangements should be the means of stamping it out altogether and rendering vaccination useless.
Unless it can be proved that poisons given off through the skin and from the lungs of persons suffering from the disease are as virulent as those from putrid matter alone, or from the excreta from those suffering from the disease, the theory of contagion[2] cannot be entertained.
The word contagion as here used is not intended to apply to cases where persons not affected sleep in the same bed, or wear the same clothes, or handle things from, or persons suffering from this disease, as this would be inoculation.
Many medical men will say that the facts to prove that small-pox is transmitted by contagion are so positive that there is no chance of disputing them.
Let us examine two cases to support this theory.
Small-pox is prevalent, say, in the north of London; a man is in business there from seven to eight hours each day, but his home is in the S.W. district. He is taken ill, and remains at home, calling in his medical attendant, who on his second visit pronounces it a case of small-pox, and orders his removal to the hospital. In a few days other members of the family are taken and removed, and similar cases occur in the neighbourhood.