MONUMENT TO TENNER 
CONSIDERATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS IN ITS EAVOR. 
It has recently been proposed to erect, in London, a bronze monument to Dr. Jenner, the great discov- 
erer of vaccination. In the latter part of the last century it was found that forty thousand persons died annually 
of the small-pox, in Great Britain and Ireland. This was true at the time when small-pox inoculation was 
very generally practised, and when the treatment of those under it had been carried to the greatest degree of 
perfection. Of those who had the small-pox in the natural way, one in six died, under the best care ; ot 
those who were inoculated, one in two hundred. Inoculation was a great blessing to those who were the 
subjects of it, but not to the whole community. While the thoughtful and prudent enjoyed the benefit of 
this practice, they spread the disease through the land ; for many of those who were not protected, were infected 
by those under inoculation; so that, on the whole, it was found that the deaths from small-pox were actually 
increased by the practice of inoculation. 
How hopeless seemed the case. The small-pox seemed to be an evil, which, in those latter days, men 
were born to encounter, and which must be submitted to. And how hideous, how horrid was the disease ! 
Among us its sufferings are unknown, and when described they seem to many to be almost fabulous. The 
sufferings were not limited to the proper disease. Under the name of sequela}, —of the consequences of small- 
pox, they were renewed and prolonged in various shapes, and in many instances they marred the comfort 
of all the residue of life. 
It was at the period above-mentioned, just at the close of the last century, that Dr. Jenner proposed a 
remedy for these great evils. He made public that the vaccine disease would prevent the occurrence of the 
small-pox ; and that this disease might be produced artificially, —by inoculation,—with entire safety. It 
was soon known throughout the civilized world that this vaccine disease could be propagated with great ease ; 
that it was so mild as not to interfere with the common occupations of life; that it might be communicated 
with safety to new-born infants, and to persons in the most delicate health, and that life was not endangered by 
it. It became obvious that, if vaccinadon could be made universal, the small-pox might, in time, die out for 
want of subjects. It was not found, indeed, that the security from small-pox after vaccination was perfect. 
But this was not a serious objection, for the same was true in respect to those, who had undergone the small- 
pox itself, either by inoculation, or in the natural way. 
Dr. Jenner, then, put it in the power of the English people to save the lives of forty thousand persons in 
a year; a number to be increased annually by the increase of the population. Can it be a question whether 
such a benefactor should be remunerated and honored in the most ample manner? 
Such are the views to be taken of the case as regards Englishmen. But is it from them alone that gratitude 
is due to the memory of Jenner ? Were the benefits of his labors and of his discovery limited to them ? Far 
from it. They were for all nations and for all times. And they were designed to be so. Such a discovery could not have been kept secret. Far from wishing to keep it a secret for a moment, Jenner and his countrymen 
hastened to extend the advantages of it to us, and to the whole world. These advantages have been enjoyed 
by us for half a century ; and the great mass of the people of this country are, at this day, and all might be, 
secured by vaccination from the loathsome small-pox. If there be any who cannot think of the splendor of 
the sun without remembering that this bright luminary has dark spots on its surface, these may object that the 
security from vaccination is not perfect. Let it be, they say, that formerly one million of persons, in Great 
Britain and Ireland, underwent the small-pox annually ; there are now one hundred thousand who suffer that 
disease every year, and of these, perhaps five thousand have been previously vaccinated. And, again, there 
are still noticed, in those islands, four or five thousand deaths from this disease, some of which, possibly some 
hundreds, are among those who have undergone vaccination. 
If we were engaged in an inquiry for scientific purposes, we would ascertain what numbers can be 
adduced on the unfavorable side of the account. As it is, we have put into the mouth of the opponent esti- 
mates only, designing to take numbers sufficiently large in reply to the objections above stated, we ask, 
Would it be well for an Englishman to say that Dr. Jenner did not succeed in his attempt to be useful ; 
that while he tried to save the lives of forty thousand of his countrymen every year, in all coming time, he 
.ad not as yet succeeded in saving more than thirty-five thousand? Especially should all of us scout such 
an objection, when the failure complained of might be almost entirely prevented, perhaps quite, if we, of this 
generation, would duly avail ourselves of the instructions which Jenner gave us. 
Let us then unite, as one man, to show our gratitude to Jenner, the instrument of a blessed Providence, 
for the great benefits we have derived from his wise and philanthropic labors. Let all, whose pecuniary cir- 
cumstances are easy, unite in the small contributions, which, in the aggregate, shall furnish some exhibition of 
a nation’s gratitude. 
It will occur to every one that while the whole world have been benefited by vaccination, the advantages 
must be more fully realized and appreciated by medical men than by others. On this account the following 
excellent Report is annexed, as a most important part of this paper. 
JENNER STATUE 
Report made to the Suffolk District Medical Society, August 23, 1851 
The Committee appointed by the Suffolk District Medical Society to consider what measures, if any, 
should be taken in relation to a Bronze Statue of Dr. Jenner, which it is proposed to erect in the city of 
London, ask leave to Report, that they cordially approve the object, as one which is entitled to the favorable 
consideration, not only of every member of the medical profession, but of every member of the human family ; that the discovery that has immortalized his name, has done more than any other to lessen human suffering, 
and prolong human life; that it was not the result of accident, but was arrived at after long, patient, and 
scientific research; and thus, while it gave a renown to him, which it has been the fortune of no other man to 
obtain, it has conferred an unfading honor on the profession of which he was a distinguished member. 
The Committee therefore feel that there should be some memorial of this illustrious man, as durable, were 
it possible, as the benefits he has conferred on his race; and that individuals of all nations, and of every calling 
in life, should be allowed to contribute to it. They are glad that measures are in progress to carry into effect 
to some extent, if not as far as practicable, this desirable object, and they recommend to the Society to adopt 
some means in aid of its execution. 
They do not feel called upon to point out the precise mode in which this should be attempted. At the 
same time they would take the liberty of suggesting that the individuals, James Jackson, M. D., and John 
Ware, M. D., who have brought this subject before the Society, and who were appointed in London members 
of the General Committee, should be requested to suggest such a plan as they may think proper, and to act as 
a Committee in behalf of this Society, in relation to the business. 
Which is respectfully submitted by 
George Hayward, 
Charles E. Ware, 
Samuel Cabot, Jun., 
J. V. C. Smith, 
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, 
Committee. 
Voted, To accept the Report and adopt the recommendation of the Committee. 
Boston, August 23, 1851. 
A true copy, attest, 
James W. Stone, 
Secretanj pro. tern. 
At as early a period as may be, subscriptions will be called for, that such as think proper may give their 
aid to the project above described. • 
No subscription will be received of more than one dollar from any individual. 
Boston, September 1, 1851.