Law Archives - Page 43 of 43 - Protection of Conscience Project Library

The Vaccination Acts: the conscience clause

John C. McVail

British Medical Journal, BMJ — British Medical Journal

Extract

Closely interlinked with the subject of a Revaccination Act is that of the Conscience Clause. When the Royal Commission on Vaccination published its final report and boldly recommended a Conscience Clause, a great part of the medical profession and probably also of the public were startled at what they regarded as a lowering of the vaccination flag. Some opponents of vaccination appeared at first to be jubilant over what they professed to regard as an antivaccination victory. . .

McVail JC. The Vaccination Acts: the conscience clause. Br Med J. 1903 January 17; 1(2194): 142–145

(Correspondence) The “conscience clause” of the Vaccination Act, 1898

C. Killick Millard

Extract

The question of retaining, mending, or ending the above clause will shortly have to be settled. There are many medical men in favour of, and seriously advocating, the last alternative. They argue (i) that a “conscience clause” is altogether wrong in principle; that it is an anomaly without precedent, and opposed to the spirit of all other compulsory legislation; and that if vaccination is to be compulsory, it should be compulsory for all. (2) That the ” conscience clause ” is greatly abused, and that its administration is becoming a farce. (3) That it has not succeeded, in the sense of securing more vaccination. . .

Millard CK. The “conscience clause” of the Vaccination Act, 1898. Br Med J. 1903 January 3; 1(2192): 49.

(Correspondence) The conscience clause

William Hardman

Extract

Whilst agreeing in toto with your timely and forcible leader as regards the moral it indicates, yet do I take exception to certain statements therein contained. I object to the statement that it is petty sessional doings which have made Section ii of the Act-the conscience clause-a laughing- stock in so many parts of the country. The reason why it is not a laughing-stock in every part of the country is either because of the good sense or correct views of the inhabitants or because the antivaccinationists have neglected to disseminate their pernicious literature and to enforce their dangerous propaganda amongst these fortunate sections. . .

Hardman W. The conscience clause (Letter). Br Med J. 1899 January 14; 1(1985): 122

The duties of magistrates under the Vaccination Act: The conscience clause

British Medical Journal

Extract

The Conscience Clause-the only section of the Vaccination Act as yet in force-appears to have caused some consternation amongst the magistrates upon whom will rest the duty of administering it. To those of the “Great Unpaid” who have heretofore systematically refused to do their duty it will make but little difference; they will continue to disobey the law with perhaps an easier conscience. Setting them aside, however, we anxiously turn to consider the attitude which those who have always endeavoured to do their duty upon the bench are about to adopt. . .

The duties of magistrates under the Vaccination Act: The conscience clause. Br Med J. 1898 September 17; 2(1968): 817–818.