There have been two great debates this week upon the
Bill for improving the vaccination laws introduced by the Govern- ment. It was generally agreed that cumulative penalties should be abolished, and the discussion really turned on the degree to which compulsion should be avoided when the parent objected. Sir W. Foster proposed on Tuesday that a statutory declaration to the effect that the parent "conscientiously objected" to vaccination should be sufficient, but Mr. Chaplin rejected his clause alleging that it would lead to the neglect of vaccination alto gether. Mr. Balfour, however, had detected a strong anti - vaccination feeling in the House, and agreed to abolish penalties if the parent satisfied the Magistrates that "he conscientiously believed vaccination would be prejudicial to the health of his child," which surprised Sir William Harcourt so much that he proposed an
adjournment. It will sawprise a great many people in the country also, the general feeling being that the reluctance of a parent, out of pure ignorance, to use a particular remedy can hardly be considered a reluctance deserving of such respect An unvaccinated person is not merely liable to a disease which may kill him or blind him, but he is a source of infection for other people, as much so as a bad drain. A herbalist is not allowed to sell strychnine, because he con- scientiously believes that in certain doses it will preserve the health of dyspeptic patients, nor can a man keep a glandered horse, because he "conscientiously believes" that if he kills it he shall be thrown upon the rates.
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