Preface.

Three or four years ago, when vaccination was being vigorously discussed in the Home Country by both lay and medical journals, and a great cry was raised for the introduction of animal lymph, as preferable to the humanised lymph till then exclusively used in Great Britain, it seemed to us that the subject was not unworthy of the attention of practitioners in New Zealand. Accordingly a supply of pure calf lymph was furnished us from home; and, after a careful study of the whole question, our views were embodied in a paper read before the August meeting, 1879, of the New Zealand Medical Association, which paper was almost identical with the present work. Since then the outbreak of small-pox in Sydney has attracted universal attention throughout New Zealand, and given to the subject a gravity and importance which it would be impolitic to ignore.

This has, therefore, appeared to us a favourable moment for educating public opinion in favour of vaccination, which after all is a mother's question, rather than a medical or state one; for, however unanimous medical opinion may be in its favour, or however strict legislation may be in its enforcement, the nation will never reap the full benefits thereof until mothers give an intelligent assent to the operation. To awaken the interest and excite the confidence of parents in cow-pox inoculation is therefore the object of this little work, which, if it succeeds in its mission will, we take it, be of some slight service to the cause of humanity.

We flatter ourselves also that some of its pages may be found useful to our fellow practitioners, who may not .have given the subject the same thoughtful consideration as ourselves; and that some of its suggestions may be thought worthy of adoption when next the Government of New Zealand legislates in this direction.