§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clause 1 (Parochial Board to appoint a Public Vaccinator).
§ MR. DUNLOPsaid, the College of Physicians of Edinburgh had sent in a list of objections, which had much struck him. They objected in particular to the appointment of public vaccinators. They stated 1308 that there were already medical officers in every parish, and so far as the poor of these parishes were concerned, therefore, they were already provided for. But as far as all other parties were concerned, it was proposed by this Bill to provide public vaccinators. This the College justly considered an interference with the ordinary practice of medical practitioners. They suggested also that the practical operation of the measure would be to retard rather than to promote the general practice of vaccination.
THE LORD ADVOCATEsaid, that if that were the only objection to the Bill, it could easily be got over. It was never intended to take vaccination out of the hands of general medical practitioners in order to place it exclusively in the hands of a public vaccinator. The Bill had been rendered necessary by the general neglect of vaccination, and the object in appointing a public vaccinator in every parish, or combination of parishes, in Scotland, was that there should be some one to see that vaccination was carried out. It would be necessary to give him an interest in seeing it done, and this would be accomplished by paying him by fees, and not by salary. The Bill would be inoperative but for this appointment. The Parochial Board might, in certain cases, direct their vaccinator to travel in parts of the district that were distant and difficult of access, but it would be necessary to make some provision for his payment in such cases.
§ SIR ANDREW AGNEWsaid, that vaccination might be prevention; but a far greater danger was to be apprehended from the public being liable to be brought into contact in railway carriages and other conveyances with persons suffering from small-pox. He hoped the hon. and learned Gentleman the Lord Advocate would turn his attention to this subject.
§ SIR EDWARD COLEBROOKEdrew attention to the importance of the Government providing for a supply of proper vaccine matter. He thought that vaccination should be carried on by visits of the vaccinators among the people.
THE LORD ADVOCATEsaid, that in large towns the children would be brought to the vaccinators, but in rural places probably the vaccinator would have to go to the children.
§ LORD ELCHOthought the proposal to appoint these public vaccinators would make vaccination more certain than at present.
§ MR. FINLAYsuggested that for the thinly-peopled Highland districts an itinerant vaccinator should he appointed.
THE LORD ADVOCATEsaw no objection to adopt the suggestion of his hon, Friend; but, as some travelling expenses would have to be allowed, it would be necessary to consider the matter.
§ Clause agreed to.
§ Clause 2 (Parochial Board may contract with Public Vaccinator). The clause provided that the fee for each person vaccinated shall be not less than 2s. 6d. within two miles of the vaccinator's residence, and 3s. 6d. when beyond that distance.
§ MR. BLACKBURNmoved that the fee be 1s. 6d. within two miles, and 2s. 6d. beyond that distance.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Clause, as amended, agreed to.
§ Clauses 3 to 8 agreed to.
§ Clause 9 (Parents or Guardians to cause Children to be vaccinated).
§ SIR ANDREW AGNEWproposed that the period which was limited by the clause to three months should be extended to six months.
§ MR. BLACKBURNexpressed an opinion that twelve months would be still better, according to the Royal College of Physicians.
§ Clause, as amended, agreed to.
§ The remaining Clauses, with the exception of Clause 15 (struck out), were likewise agreed to.
§ House resumed.
§ Bill reported; as amended, to be considered on Monday next.