Horrors of Vaccination Exposed and Illustrated: Petition to the President to Abolish Compulsory Vaccination in Army and Navy is a passionate and controversial work by Charles M. Higgins, first published in the early 20th century. This book serves as both a detailed exposé and a fervent plea against the practice of compulsory vaccination, particularly within the ranks of the United States Army and Navy. Drawing on a wide array of case studies, medical reports, and personal testimonies, Higgins argues that vaccination is not only ineffective in preventing disease but also poses significant risks to health and personal liberty. The book is structured around a formal petition addressed to the President of the United States, urging the abolition of mandatory vaccination policies for military personnel. Higgins meticulously documents what he perceives as the dangers and failures of vaccination, including severe adverse reactions, deaths, and outbreaks of disease among the vaccinated. He supplements his arguments with illustrations, charts, and references to contemporary medical literature, aiming to provide a comprehensive critique of the prevailing medical orthodoxy. Horrors of Vaccination Exposed and Illustrated also delves into the ethical and constitutional dimensions of compulsory medical procedures, raising questions about individual rights, bodily autonomy, and the role of government in public health. The book reflects the broader anti-vaccination sentiment of its era, capturing the anxieties and debates surrounding medical interventions at a time when vaccination was becoming increasingly institutionalized. Through its impassioned rhetoric and detailed documentation, the book seeks to persuade both policymakers and the general public of the urgent need to reconsider and reform vaccination policies, especially in contexts where individuals have little choice or recourse. Today, it stands as a historical artifact, offering insight into early 20th-century public health controversies and the enduring debates over medical freedom and state authority.
