Accidental vaccinia is relatively common. As pointed out by Ellis,1 the importance and danger of the fortuitous eruption depends primarily on the site. If, as in my case, it occurs on the face, it may be quite disfiguring. It may even be more serious and occur on the cornea, causing blindness. The vaccine virus may even be disseminated through the blood stream and cause a generalized vaccinia with fatal results. The method of transmission of accidental vaccinia is beyond the scope of this paper.
The following case is of interest because of the excellent cosmetic result obtained in the treatment of a scar on the chin resulting from accidental vaccinia:
Joan L., aged 4 years, was vaccinated on the upper part of the left arm Sept. 15, 1936, at a board of health station. Five days later the mother noticed a vesicle on the left side of the chin