Recent Deaths

1914 Boston Medical and Surgical Journal  
Mr. Editor: While lunching with a friend at the State House last winter, a member of the legislature at the same table enquired where he could obtain some reliable information upon the antivaccination question that was soon to come before them. He was honest, well-meaning, wanted to do the right thing, but did not know the merits of the case In hand. He then and there received the main points in the situation and his next morning's mail contained olticial evidence that would convince any
more » ... gent, fairminded person of the great benefits to be derived from vaccination, as well as of the deplorable results of its neglect. Ho should have been informed upon this imivortant matter before entering the swirl of the legislative session. The medical profession in Massachusetts has an important duty to perform along these lines. Every legislator should be Interviewed by members of our profession and given sane and sound ideas and information upon all topics relating to public health matters likely to come before them, and especially upon this persistent, annual agitation against vaccination. The proper time to do this is previous to the opening of the session and before they are swamped with cartloads of log-rolling literature upon all sorts of subjects of which they can be expected to know but little. They should be given officiai information upon the conditions relating to the prevalence of smallpox before and since the enactment of the law requiring vaccination upon entering the public schools of the state. The contrast between the two periods is so startling, that any one fit to make our laws can readily comprehend the great value of vaccination. The object of this letter Is to urge the publicspirited members of the medical profession to seek personal interviews with the senators and representatives in their respective districts and give them the benefit of rational, common-sense ideas on public health matters, laying especial stress upon the necessity of letting the mild compulsory vaccination law alone. They should be convinced that the medica: profession has no oxes to grind, no personal ends tc gain, but that our efforts are made solely in the wel line of the public. The undersigned will gladly furnish any one wltl official evidence on the benefits to be derived fron vaccination.
doi:10.1056/nejm191412031712318 fatcat:66kla4unxzahllseeudvltqlki