PLAGUE COMMISSIONS.] 373
A scientific witness was being examined, the strength of whose pre-conceived objections
to inoculation had apparently overcome his logical faculties. He was of opinion, he said,
that the inoculation of one person was the direct cause of plague in some other uninocu-
lated person. "Do you really mean to tell us," asked a certain critical member of the
Commission, "that if in a family one person was inoculated and another person got plague,
that the inoculation of the first member of the family would be the direct cause of the second
being attacked ?" "I do," said the witness solemnly. "On the same principle, then," the
member continued, " you would argue that if in a family one member got married and
another member got the measles, that the marriage would be the direct cause of measles ?"
"I would," said the witness, unhesitatingly. "Thank you," said the President, "we need
not detain you any longer."
Evidence was taken in English as well as in vernaculars, always in public, and,
wherever possible, in Town Halls and other public places. Facts and figures were called for and
scrutinized, each witness being asked beforehand to submit an abstract of the main points on
which he proposed to speak, and his statements thoroughly sifted. Sound theories, mature con-
clusions, bold propositions and cautious suggestions were heard, and considered side by side
with crude notions and ignorant superstitions. Armed with this mass of evidence tendered by
hundreds of witnesses, the Commission left for Europe on the 25th of March to hear further
witnesses, to consider the evidence, and to write their report, which is at present nearing
completion.
Mention should here be made of Mr. Fraucis Silva, of the Accountant-General's
Office, who was Chief Clerk to the Indian Plague Commission throughout their tour; and who
afterwards acted as Superintendent of the Plague Commissioner's Office, and whose
assistance in the compilation of this volume has been of the greatest value.
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