concession," the health of the country was given without appeal into the
hand of the "Conscientious Objector."

In his perplexity it has occurred to an observer of these events--as a
person who in other lands has seen and learned something of the ravages
of smallpox among the unvaccinated--to try to forecast their natural
and, in the view of many, their almost certain end. Hence these pages
from the life history of the pitiable, but unfortunate Dr. Therne.[*]
_Absit omen!_ May the prophecy be falsified! But, on the other hand,
it may not. Some who are very competent to judge say that it will not;
that, on the contrary, this strange paralysis of "the most powerful
ministry of the generation" must result hereafter in much terror, and in
the sacrifice of innocent lives.

[*] It need hardly be explained that Dr. Therne himself is a
character convenient to the dramatic purpose of the story,
and in no way intended to be taken as a type of anti-
vaccinationist medical men, who are, the author believes, as
conscientious in principle as they are select in number.

The importance of the issue to those helpless children from whom
the State has thus withdrawn its shield, is this writer's excuse for
inviting the public to interest itself in a medical tale. As for the
moral, each reader can fashion it to his fancy.





DOCTOR THERNE