THE LIMITATIONS OF TYPHOID VACCINATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15933, 28 November 1913, Page 12

THE LIMITATIONS OF TYPHOID VACCINATION.

Sin,—Tho abovo is tho title of a roeent editorial in tiie Medical Record, tho article beginning a 6 follows;—'"Tho British Army Committee on Anti-typhoid Vaccinaton wau appointed in 1904, and its preliminary report, made last' Octobcr, but only recently published, compels us to modify somewhat the opinioita formed from the partial reports which have appeared from time to time." In the first place "the immunity fades," and the inoculated frequently contract typhoid, while, in the second place; "there was a largo inereaso of tuberculosis in tho army, as a whole, in 1909, following fhe rapid extension' of inoculation in 1907-8." Sir, have you any idea of how long it will take an educated people, and the vaccinator, to recognise l the old, old truth, that to every action there is a reaction? The smallpox epidemic in New South Wales has so far not killed .a single individual, but we .have tho significant fact before us, that the rapid extension of vaccination, with .so-calicd pure lymph, has been immediately followed by an unusually high death rate. The question is, what is the earthly use of saving the lives of weakly babies,- many of whom will never lrkely earn their own living, and killing off, like so many flice, as manv, if not more, adults who are of incalculable service to the community? - A Sydney journalist, who is on the spot, 6ays that "'men who ought to kno\y tell us that it may be years beforo tho death rate again goes back to the normal, and not then unless greater care is taken to safeguard the health of the people from such assaults (vaccine) as thoso to which is has recently been subjected.—l am, etc., D. Wishart. November 21.