At first he proposed to embody his views in a paper for the Royal Society, but on second thoughts determined to issue a pamphlet. Having read his manuscript to Dr. Worthington, Mr. Paytherus, and Mr. H. Hicks, assembled round the table of Mr. Thomas Westfaling, at Rudhall, near Ross, Herefordshire, and having secured their approval, the matter was put to press, and about the end of June, 1798, appeared

AN

INQUIRY

INTO

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS

OF THE

VARIOLE VACCINE,

A DISEASE

DISCOVERED IN SOME OF THE WESTERN COUNTIES OF ENGLAND,
PARTICULARLY

GLOUCESTERSHIRE,

AND KNOWN BY THE NAME OF

THE COW POX.

CHAPTER II.

JENNER'S INQUIRY, 1798.

The curious tradition among the dairy folk of Gloucestershire, that persons who had suffered from Cowpox were thereby rendered insusceptible of Smallpox, was made known to Edward Jenner when a doctor's apprentice, and was never afterwards absent from his mind. Thirty years elapsed before the fruit was borne to the public; but incessantly he thought, and watched, and experimented on the subject, and the work in which at length he recorded the incomparable results of his labour may well have commanded the confidence of reflecting persons.

Little would ever be heard of objections to Vaccination, if all who undertake the responsibility of its performance, and all who feel disposed to resist its adoption, would but thoroughly study that masterpiece of medical induction, and imitate the patience and caution and modesty with which Jenner laid the foundations of every statement he advanced.

In the first Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variola Vaccina, Jenner set on a scientific basis the popular belief to which I have referred; and the close of the 18th Century, which had much to darken it, will be remembered till the end of human history for the greatest physical good ever yet given by science to the world.-Papers relating to the History and Practice of Vaccination. Pp. xi. and xii. London, 1857.

THESE are the words of Mr. John Simon, and in them we have the Jennerian legend with the morsel of fact to the mass of fable which characterises legendary matter, ancient and modern. The recommendation to " study thoroughly that master-piece of medical induction," Jenner's Inquiry, is a mere flourish of panegyric; for, as Mr. Simon was well aware, the book had been out of print for half a century, and was practically inaccessible; whilst its reproduction has usually been considered undesirable in the interests of Vaccination, inasmuch as it reveals more than is expedient for common knowledge. An idol that is good to swear by is always fortified by a convenient obscurity.

The Inquiry is a quarto of less than seventy pages in large type, set in broad margins in the grand style of the

period, and illustrated with four coloured plates. There are eight pages of Introductory Matter, followed by thirty-four pages of Cases, concluding with twenty-six pages of General Observations.

It is to the Cases as the ground of the argument, that I would first direct attention. They are twenty-three, and may be thus assorted

13 of Cowpox communicated by accident.

4 of Horsegrease communicated by accident and inoculated by design.

6 of Cowpox inoculated by design or transferred from

arm-to-arm.

It may be tedious, but I should like to go with the reader over these Cases, for they are highly instructive. Let us take the first twelve of Cowpox communicated by accident.

I. JOSEPH MERRET, Gardener.

In 1770 attended to Horses, milked Cows, and caught Cowpox. Afterwards his family had Smallpox, but he escaped. In 1795 Jenner repeatedly inoculated him with Smallpox without effect.

II.-SARAH PORTLOCK, Farm Servant.

In 1771 had Cowpox. In 1792 nursed her child in Smallpox "conceiving herself secure," and was at the same time inoculated with Smallpox in both arms without effect.

III. JOHN PHILLIPS, Tradesman.

Had Cowpox when nine years old. Was inoculated with Smallpox by Jenner at the age of 62 without effect.

IV. MARY BARGE, Farm Servant.

In 1767 had Cowpox. In 1791 was inoculated with Smallpox without effect. Had also acted as nurse to Smallpox patients without catching the disease.

V.—MRS. H—————, Gentlewoman.

Had Cowpox when very young, contracted by handling dairy utensils. Was subsequently exposed to Smallpox, " where it was scarcely possible for her to have escaped;" and in 1778 was inoculated with Smallpox by Jenner without effect.

At this point, I would draw attention to the ages of the persons set forth in these Cases: they were past middle life when the susceptibility to Smallpox was either low or extinct. The reason given by Jenner for their production was that he "wished to show that the change produced in the constitution by Cowpox is not affected by time"-a claim which vaccinators at this day surrender, insisting on the necessity of re-vaccination to maintain "the benign influence;" but apart from that consideration, there was nothing extraordinary in resistance to inoculated Smallpox. Without the intervention of Cowpox, inoculators were constantly meeting patients who would not "take," even with repeated attempts, and especially among elderly people; and some who obstinately resisted inoculated Smallpox, subsequently contracted the disease in the ordinary way. So much Jenner himself allowed, saying—

There are many who from some peculiarity in habit resist the common effects of variolous matter inserted into the skin, and in consequence are haunted through life with the distressing idea of being insecure from subsequent infection. (P. 60.)

Yet he was pleased to refer this well recognised resistance to variolation in those who had had Cowpox to Cowpox, allowing nothing for habit of body!

VI. SARAH WYNNE, Dairymaid.

In 1796 had Cowpox in May, and "in so violent a degree, that she was confined to her bed, and rendered incapable for several days of pursuing her ordinary vocation." On 28th March, 1797, she was inoculated with Smallpox by Jenner without effect.

Under this Case Jenner observes, that "among our dairy farmers those who have had Smallpox either escape Cowpox, or are disposed to have it slightly; and as soon as the complaint shows itself among cattle, assistants are procured, if possible, who are thus rendered less susceptible of it, otherwise the business of the farm could scarcely go forward." At the farm where Sarah Wynne was employed, all had had Smallpox except Sarah, and all save Sarah, escaped.

VII.-WILLIAM RODWAY, Dairyman.

In 1796 had Cowpox. In 1797 was inoculated with Smallpox by Jenner without effect.

Under Rodway's Case Jenner showed that the farmers were at fault in supposing that Smallpox kept off Cowpox. In the dairy where Rodway was employed, all the milkers had passed through Smallpox, except Rodway, and all contracted Cowpox; "but there was no comparison in the severity of the disease as it was felt by them. and by Rodway. While he was confined to bed, they were able, without much inconvenience, to follow their ordinary business." Thus Jenner argued that though Smallpox might not keep off Cowpox, it made Cowpox milder.

VIII. ELIZABETH WYNNE, Dairymaid.

"In 1759 had Cowpox slightly when 19 years of age. "As the malady had shown itself in so slight a manner," observed Jenner, " and as it had taken place at so distant a period of her life, I was happy with the opportunity of trying the effects of variolous matter upon her constitution, and on the 28th of March, 1797, I inoculated her" without effect. Nevertheless in the following year, 1798, she again caught Cowpox, having a "large pustulous sore accompanied with "general lassitude, shiverings, alternating with heat, coldness of extremities, and a quick and irregular pulse."

IX.-WILLIAM SMITH, Farm Servant.

Although [wrote Jenner as preface to this Case] the Cowpox