In the same reckless vein he asked, “Is properly performed vaccination an absolutely inoffensive proceeding?” and answered—
Not at all, nor does it pretend to be so. The very meaning of the thing is, that it shall artificially and designedly produce a transient and trifling indisposition; that for some days the infant shall be uncomfortable with a sore arm and a slight irritation of the adjacent axillary glands, and a perceptible amount of general feverishness. (P. lx.)
Here we agree, and here disagree—agree as to the disease, disagree as to the determination of its limits. First, the virus is in quality indefinite; and second, the recipient of the virus is a complex of qualities indefinite; so that, as Dr. Mead observed, when smallpox was used for inoculation, “it is more material into what kind of body it be infused, than out of what it is taken.” As pathologists freely allow, it is impossible to predicate the transformations of organic poisons in the animal frame. A vigorous infant may throw off the virus, designated vaccine, and suffer no apparent harm, but the same virus may operate very differently in contact with debility and disease; so that, in the words of James, we have to say, “Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” The conditions of vaccination are essentially those of hazard; the issues are those of a game of chance; the result at the best being a risk for naught.
Simon, too, was positive as to the impossibility of the invaccination of syphilis—a fact no longer in question, save as to the degree of frequency. And here, also, in his recklessness he forgot consistency, saying—
When a child is born with the heritage of syphilis (a very frequent incident, if its parents have been suffering from that infection) the characteristic symptoms do not appear till some weeks after birth; and then the scandal discloses itself. (P. lxvi.)
Just so; and before disclosure the child is vaccinated, and serving as vaccinifer, the latent syphilis is inoculated and diffused.
Vaccination, according to Simon, was easy—“The mere manual trick is learnt from a minute’s teaching and an hour’s practice.” Difficulty begins in the selection of proper subjects for the rite, for which none are qualified, save the healthy; and for the recognition of health a trained eye is wanted—
If sickly children are vaccinated, children breeding other disorders, children having skin disease, children teething and the like, the results must be at least unsatisfactory, and possibly dangerous. (P. lxii.)
If such children are exempted from vaccination, how can vaccination ever approach universality? And when universal vaccination is effected, as it is frequently effected, how can it fail to be attended with “results, at least unsatisfactory, and possibly dangerous”?