User:Wormcast/Scribbles/Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission

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"THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE VACCINATION COMMISSION Authorized by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly, of June 14, 1911, Pamphlet Laws, 940."

When it seemed likely that my volunteer letter to President Wilson would fail in its immediate mission, I mailed a copy to two hundred of my friends, requesting their help and influence, among others to Mr. Henry C. Lippincott of Philadelphia, who, thereupon, was good enough to mail me a pamphlet entitled "The Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission," he being one of the Dissenting Commissioners. Had I been fortunate enough to see a copy of this report, I would have incorporated its findings in my letter to President Wilson. Of the seven Members of this Commission, three dissented from the favorable recommendations of the other four. The following lines are taken from the "Dissenting Report of Henry C. Lippincott, Commissioner":

The following excerpts are from the "Dissenting Report of John Pitcairn, Com- missioner." (It is appalling to human in- telligence that Mr. Pitcairn's report failed to turn the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania against vaccination.)

Orders Smallpox Inquiry. Pennsylvania Commission to Determine the Value of Vaccine

Despite the fact that vaccination against smallpox has been considered for many years an established procedure of the greatest merit, the State of Pennsylvania has expressed itself, through the LEgislature, as requiring further proof of its value in the prevention of the disease. To effect this end an official inquiry has been ordered.

"In accordance with a bill passed last year," says the Journal of the American Medical Association" "Gov. Tener has appointed the following men to constitute the Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission: Drs. Jay Frank Schamberg and William H. Welch, both of whom are regarded as thoroughly acquainted with smallpox and all that relates thereto; Porter F. Cope, Secretary of the Anti-Vaccination League of Pennsylvania; John Pitcairn, who has spent a great deal of money in the anti-vaccination campaign; ex-Gov. Samuel W. Pennypacker, who prior to his election as Governor was presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia; George Wharton Pepper, a lawyer of National reputation, and Emil Rosenberger, a lawyer and financier.

"This commission is to study the 'history, nature, and pathology' of smallpox and of vaccination; the means to be used for diminishing the prevalence and mortality of smallpox; the original source from which the vaccine virus now in use has been obtained; the method of preparation, and other matters pertaining to smallpox and its treatment. The commission is required to make its report to the Legislature on or about Feb. 1, 1913.

"It will be interesting to see what kind of report this commission will make. Two of its members are extreme anti-vaccinationists - in fact, they may be called the leaders among the anti-vaccinationists of this country. It is exceedingly fortunate that the  anti-vaccinationists are represented on this commission by two such ardent adherents. It will now be necessary for them, in order to make out a case against  vaccination, to present facts, instead of the favorite brand  of  anti-vaccinationist fiction which heretofore passed current for argument.

"At least two of the lay members of the commission are trained in weighing evidence, and the entire commission will doubtless insist on having facts and official records as a basis for all statements. The work set for this commission is most important, and it should not hesitate to get all the facts. We are not informed how much money has been appropriated for this commission, but it should be sufficient to make the investigation thorough in every particular.

"The question is an important one, not only to the people of Pennsylvania, but also to those of the whole country, and the truth should be established beyond question, no matter what the cost. The appointment of this commission is at once a challenge and an opportunity. If it cannot be demonstrated to the satisfaction of three unprejudiced laymen that vaccination is harmless and that it effectually prevents smallpox, then the State has no right to require the citizens to submit to it. If it can be so demonstrated, as scientific men have always insisted, then all opposition to its compulsory enforcement should cease.

"Let the Pennsylvania commission decide it, and let the truth prevail."