HC Deb 15 June 1815 vol 31 cc845-6
Mr. Wynn,

after alluding to the national benefit of the propagation of this antidote to the smallpox, and observing upon the necessity of doing away the prejudice that prevailed against it amongst the lower orders, through some instances of its failure, moved for leave to bring in a Bill, "For procuring the benefit of Vaccination to such poor persons as are desirous of receiving it."

Mr. Bankes

said a few words on the advantage of the process to society at large, and on the impossibility of preventing it from failing in a few cases.

Mr. Whitbread

thought it highly important that it should not be supposed that because vaccination had in a few instances failed, that inoculation with variolous matter had not failed also. He had known, instances of persons who had been inoculated with the natural small-pox, having taken the infection after a lapse of twenty years.

Mr. Bankes

thought there had been as many instances of failure in cases of vaccination, as in those of variolous inoculation. He was, however, highly in favour of the former process.

Leave was given to bring in the Bill.