stitute may be introduced without till the pans are filled; they are then ascending the chimney. The boxes, covered with brown paper and put cases, &c. are made of cast-iron, or into an oven for three or four hours, any other metal, being first made in with a heat nearly sufficient to burn wood, wider at top than the bottom, in the brown paper. When the sand is order to ease the founder in moulding. cold it is passed through a sieve; the Sheet-iron or copper are good sub- hair will then possess a good curl and stitutes where cast-iron is not to be a fine elastic power, is perfectly clean had. The advantages of this form in and incapable of engendering any a box appear still further in a double vermin. jack, which comes out of the chimney A small wheel or any machine for and extends to the right and left hand; twisting may also be used for twisting as in the old way three bevil gear- this hair before it is put into the tubes; wheels are required, but in this way but whether twisted this way or with one wheel is fixed in the middle of the the fingers, the hair should be damp, spindle, which running to the right but the cords need not be long. and left, and working with those in the parrow box, will answer the end of the three-bevil gear-wheels, placed in the old way, to the extremity of which a chain-wheel may be added. Mr. DE BERENGER'S, for preparing a certain Animal Substance as a Substitute for Horse-hair, &c. used for Cushions, Carriages, Sofas, &c. HIS substitute is manufactured Tof the hair or coat of hogs, not Mr. WILCOX's, for Improvements in THESE improvements are con- the bristles or mane, but that of the gates or valves move between the inbody; long hair of large hogs is best, side of a fixed cylinder and the outside but even that of pigs may be used. After of an inner cylinder. The insterstice killing the animal, the hair is to be is securely covered with lids; the said scraped off as usual, then washed and pallets being fixed, the one to the thrown into lime-water and left one outer, and the other to the inner or or two days. This immersion in lime- revolving cylinder; and whilst a paswater destroys every fleshy substance, sage is formed on each side of the gate and completely prevents putrefaction. in the stationary cylinder, one of these It is next washed in cold water, and passages communicate with the boiler, twisted into a cord about the thickness the other with the condenser, and thus of a goose-quill, which is forced into the steam or fluid is brought to act a tin, glass, or other tube while it is between the said gates that are opened twisted. This tube is about three and shut from the external part of the quarters of an inch in diameter, and engine by gear, similar to what is used may be from fifteen to thirty inches in the present steam engines; and the or more in length. This cord will inner or revolving cylinder is forced readily coil itself round in the inside, round in the circle it prescribes by and a stick may be occasionally intro- the elasticity of steam or fluid pressing duced to force it quite tight. When a against the pallet fixed to the revolving sufficient number of these tubes are cylinder, which pallets, while passing filled, and corked up close at both each other, either double up, turn on ends, they are placed in a copper of their edges, or slide backwards and boiling water for two hours. The hair forwards, upwards or downwards, or, is then to be taken out of the tubes, in other cases, turn on their own left to cool in solid pieces, and after- axes. wards unpicked, when it will be found The powers of this machine produce quite curly. It is then loosely thrown their whole effect without any reaction into large earthen pans with fine dry or diminution, friction alone excepted, sand at the bottom, and a layer of dry which in the present instance is very sand sifted over every layer of hair, trifling. TRANSACTIONS OF LEARNED & ECONOMICAL SOCIETIES. REPORT of the ROYAL COLLEGE of Public have, for the most part, rePHYSICIANS respecting the State ceived it without prejudice. A few of VACCINE INOCULATION. indeed have stood forth the adversaries HE Royal College of Physicians of Vaccination, on the same grounds of London, having received his as their predecessors who opposed the Majesty's Commands, in compliance Inoculation for the Small Pox, falsely with an Address from the House of led by hypothetical reasoning in the Commons, "to inquire into the state investigation of a subject which must of Vaccine Inoculation in the United be supported or rejected, upon facts Kingdom, to report their Opinion and and observation only. With these Observations upon that Practice, upon few exceptions, the testimony in fathe Evidence which has been adduced vour of Vaccination has been most in its support, and upon the Causes strong and satisfactory, and the prac which have hitherto retarded its gene- tice of it, though it has received ral adoption;"-Have applied them- check in some quarters, appears still selves diligently to the business refer- to be upon the increase in most parts red to them. of the United Kingdom. II. The College of Physicians, in giving their Observations and Opi nions on the practice of Vaccination, think it right to premise, that they advance nothing but what is supported by the multiplied and unequivocal evidence which has been brought be fore them, and they have not consi dered any facts as proved but what have been stated from actual obser vation. Deeply impressed with the importance of an inquiry which equally involves the lives of individuals, and the public prosperity, they have made every exertion to investigate the subject fully and impartially. In aid of the knowledge and experience of the members of their own body, they have applied separately to each of the Licentiates of the College; they have corresponded with the Colleges of Physicians of Dublin and Edinburgh; Vaccination appears to be in genewith the Colleges of Surgeons of Lon- ral perfectly safe; the instances to don, Edinburgh, and Dublin; they the contrary being extremely rare. have called upon the Societies esta- The disease excited by it slight, and blished for Vaccination, for an account seldom prevents those under it from of their practice, to what extent it has following their ordinary occupations. been carried on, and what has been the It has been communicated with safety result of their experience; and they to pregnant women, to children dur have, by public notice, invited indivi- ing dentition, and in their earliest duals to contribute whatever informa- infancy: in all which respects it pos tion they had severally collected, sesses material advantages over InocuThey have in consequence been fur- lation for the Small Pox; which, nished with a mass of evidence com- though productive of a disease genemunicated with the greatest readiness rally mild, yet sometimes occasions and candour, which enables them to alarming symptoms, and is in a few speak with confidence upon all the cases fatal. principal points referred to them. The security derived from VacciI. During eight years which have nation against the Small Pox, if not elapsed since Dr. Jenner made his dis- absolutely perfect, is as nearly so as covery public, the progress of Vacci- can perhaps be expected from any hunation has been rapid, not only in all man discovery; for amongst several parts of the United Kingdom, but in hundred thousand cases, with the reevery quarter of the civilized world. sults of which the College have been In the British Islands some hundred made acquainted, the number of althousands have been vaccinated, in our ledged failures has been surprizingly possessions in the East Indies upwards small, so much so, as to form certainly of 800,000, and among the nations of no reasoable objection to the general Europe the practice has become ge- adoption of Vaccination; for it apneral. Professional men have sub- pears that there are not nearly so many mitted it to the fairest trials, and the failures, in a given number of vac cinated persons, as there are deaths in pears to have kept up a constant source an equal number of persons inoculated of contagion, which has been the for the Small Pox. Nothing can means of increasing the number of more clearly demonstrate the superi- deaths by what is called the Natural ority of Vaccination over the Inocu- disease. It cannot be doubted that lation of the Small Pox, than this con- this mischief has been extended by sideration; and it is a most important the inconsiderate manner in which fact, which has been confirmed in the great numbers of persons, even since course of this inquiry, that in almost the introduction of Vaccination, are every case, where the Small Pox has still every year inoculated with the succeeded Vaccination, whether by Small Pox, and afterwards required Inoculation or by casual infection, the to attend two or three times a week at disease has varied much from its ordi- the places of Inoculation, through nary course; it has neither been the every stage of their illness. same in the violence, nor in the duration of its symptoms, but has, with very few exceptions, been remarkably mild, as if the Small Pox had been deprived, by the previous Vaccine disease, of all its usual malignity. -The testimonies before the College of Physicians are very decided in declaring, that Vaccination does less mischief to the constitution, and less frequently gives rise to other diseases, than the Small Pox, either natural or inoculated. The College feel themselves called upon to state this strongly, because it has been objected to Vaccination, that it produces new,unheard-of, and monstrous diseases. Of such assertions no proofs have been produced, and, after diligent inqiry, the College believe them to have been either the inventions of designing, or the mistakes of ignorant men. In these respects then, in its mildness, its safety, and its consequences, the individual may look for the peculiar advantages of Vaccination. The benefits which flow from it to society are infinitely more considerable; it spreads no infection, and can be communicated only by Inoculation. It is from a consideration of the pernicious effects of the Small Pox, that the real value of Vaccination is to be estimated. The natural Small Pox has been supposed to destroy a sixth part of all whom it attacks; and that even by Inoculation, where that has been general in parishes and towns, about one in 300 has usually died. It is not sufficiently known, or not adverted to, that nearly one-tenth, some years more than one-tenth of the whole mortality in London, is occasioned by the Small Pox; aud however beneficial the Inoculation of the Small Pox may have been to individuals, it ap From this, then, the Public are to expect the great and uncontroverted superiority of Vaccination, that it communicates no casual infection, and, while it is a protection to the individual, it is not prejudicial to the Public. III. The College of Physicians, in reporting their Observations and Opinions on the Evidence adduced in support of Vaccination, feel themselves authorized to state that a body of Evidence so large, so temperate, and so consistent, was perhaps never before collected upon any medical question. A discovery so novel, and to which there was nothing analogous known in nature, though resting on the experimental observations of the Inventor, was at first received with diffidence; it was not, however, difficult for others to repeat his experi ments, by which the truth of his observations was confirmed, and the doubts of the cautious were gradually dispelled by extensive experience. At the commencement of the practice, almost all that were vaccinated were afterwards submitted to the Inocula tion of the Small Pox; many underwent this operation a second, and even a third time, and the uniform success of these trials quickly bred confidence in the new discovery. But the evidence of the security derived from Vaccination against the Small Pox does not rest alone upon those who afterwards underwent Variolous Inoculation, although amounting to many thousands; for it appears, from numerous observations communicated to the College, that those who have been vaccinated are equally secure against the contagion of epidemic Small Pox. Towns indeed, and Districts of the Country, in which Vaccination had been general, have aftewards had the and progress of the Vaccine Pustule Small Pox prevalent on all sides of from which its efficacy is inferred. them without suffering from the contagion. There are also in the evidence a few examples of epidemic Small Pox having been subdued by a general Vaccination. It will not, therefore, appear extraordinary that many who have communicated their observations should state, that though at first they thought unfavourably of the practice, experience had now removed all their doubts. Those who perform Vaccination ought therefore to be well instructed, and should have watched with the greatest care the regular progress of the Pustule, and learnt the most proper time for taking the matter. There is little doubt that some of the failures are to be imputed to the inexperience of the early Vaccinators, and it is not unreasonable to expect that farther observation will yet suggest many improvements that will reduce the number of anomalous cases, and furnish the means of determining, with greater precision, when the Vaccine disease has been effectually received. It has been already mentioned, that the evidence is not universally fayourable; although it is in truth nearly so, for there are a few who entertain sentiments differing widely from those of the great majority of Though the College of Physicians their brethren. The College, there- have confined themselves in estimafore, deemed it their duty, in a parti- ting the evidence to such facts as have cular manner, to enquire upon what occurred in their own country, begrounds and evidence the opposers of cause the accuracy of them could best Vaccination rested their opinions. be ascertained, they cannot be insenFrom personal examination, as well as sible to the confirmation these receive from their writings, they endeavoured from the reports of the successful into learn the full extent and weight of troduction of Vaccination, not only their objections. They found them into every part of Europe, but without experience in Vaccination, throughout the vast Continents of Asia supporting their opinions by hearsay and America. information, and hypothetical reasonIV. Several causes have had a par ing, and, upon investigating the facts tial operation in retarding the general which they advanced, they found them adoption of Vaccination; some writers to be either misapprehended or mis- have greatly undervalued the security represented; or that they fell under it affords, while others have considered the description of cases of imperfect it to be of a temporary nature only; Small Pox, before noticed, and which but if any reliance is to be placed on the College have endeavoured fairly the statements which have been laid to appreciate. before the College, its power of proThe practice of Vaccination is but tecting the human body from the of eight years standing, and its pro- Small Pox, though not perfect indeed, moters, as well as opponents, must is abundantly sufficient to recommend keep in mind, that a period so short is it to the prudent and dispassionate, too limited to ascertain every point, or especially as the Small Pox, in the to bring the art to that perfection of few instances where it has subsewhich it may be capable. The truth quently occurred, has been generally of this will readily be admitted by mild and transient. The opinion that those acquainted with the history of Vaccination affords but a temporary Inoculation for the Small Pox. Vac- security is supported by no analogy in cination is now, however, well under- nature, nor by the facts which have stood, and its character accurately de- hitherto occurred. Although the exscribed. Some deviations from the perience of Vaccine Inoculation be usual course bave occasionally occur- only of a few years, yet the same disred, which the Author of the practice ease, contracted by the Milkers of has called spurious Cow Pox, by which Cows, in some districts has been long the Public have been misled, as if enough known to ascertain that in there were a true and a false Cow Pox; but it appears, that nothing more was icant, than to express irregularity or difference from that cominon form them, at least the unsusceptibility of the Small Pox contagion does not wear out by time. Another cause, is, the charge against Vaccination of pro ducing various new diseases of fright- pence, there is little doubt but it ful and monstrous appearance. would in time supersede the InoculaRepresentations of some of these tion for the Small Pox, and thereby have been exhibited in prints in a way various sources of variolous infection to alarm the feelings of parents, and to would be cut off; but tili Vaccination infuse dread and apprehension into becomes general, it will be impossible the minds of the uninformed. Publi- to prevent the constant recurrence of cations with such representations have the natural Small Pox by means of been wid ly circulated, and though those who are inoculated, except it they originate either in gross igno- should appear proper to the Legisla rance, or wilful misrepresentation, yet ture to adopt, in its wisdom, some have they lessened the confidence of measure by which those who still, from many, particularly of the lower classes, terror or prejudice, prefer the Small iu Vaccination; no permanent effects, Pox to the Vaccine disease, may, in however, in retarding the progress of thus consulting the gratification of Vaccination, need be apprehended their own feelings, be prevented from from such causes, for, as soon as the doing mischief to their neighbours. Public shall view them coolly and without surprize, they will excite contempt, and not fear. From the whole of the above considerations, the College of Physicians feel it their duty strongly to recomThough the College of Physicians mend the practice of Vaccination. are of opinion that the progress of They have been led to this conclusion Vaccination has been retarded in a by no preconceived opinion, but by few places by the above causes, yet the most unbiassed judgment, formed they conceive that its general adop- from an irresistible weight of evidence tion has been prevented by causes far which has been laid before them, more powerful, and of a nature wholly For when the number, the respecta different. The lower orders of society bility, the disinterestedness, and the can hardly be induced to adopt pre- extensive experience of its advocates, cautions against evils which may be is compared with the feeble and im at a distance; nor can it be expected pe fect testimonies of its few opposers; from them, if these precautions are and when it is considered that many, attended with expence. Unless there- who were once adverse to Vaccinafore, from the inmediate dread of epi- tion, have been convinced by further demic Small Pox neither Vaccination trials, and are now to be ranked among nor Inoculation appear at any time to its warmest supporters, the truth seems have been general, and when the cause to be established as firmly as the na of terror has passed by the Public have ture of such a question admits; so relapsed again into a state of indif- that the College of Physicians conference and apathy, and the salutary ceive that the Public may reasonably practice has come to a stand, it is not look forward with some degree of hope easy to suggest a remedy for an evil so to the time when all opposition shal deeply imprinted in human nature. cease, and the general concurrence of To inform and instruct the public mankind shall at length be able to put mind may do much, and it will pro- an end to the ravages at least, if not to bably be found that the progress of the existence, of the Small Pox. Vaccination in different parts of the United Kingdom will be in proportion to that instruction. Were encourage- Royal College of Physicians, ment given to Vaccination, by offering 10th April 1807. it to the poorer classes without ex LUCAS PEPYS, President, "} Jas. Hervey, Register. VARIETIES, LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL; in Hand, &c. &c. F. FOURCROY, Member of losophy of Chemistry, which is very A. the National Institute of Paris, justly considered as the best elemen and Professor of Chemistry, has pub- tary work on that science. A transla lished an enlarged edition of his Phi- tion of this work, by W. Desmand, |