United States Statutes at Large/Volume 4/22nd Congress/1st Session/Chapter 75
Chap. LXXV.—An Act to provide the means of extending the benefits of vaccination, as a preventive of the small-pox, to the Indian tribes, and thereby, as far as possible, to save them from the destructive ravages of that disease.
Tribes to be convened for vaccination.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be the duty of the several Indian agents and sub-agents, under the direction of the Secretary of War, to take such measures as he shall deem most efficient, to convene the Indian tribes in their respective towns, or in such other places and numbers, and at such seasons as shall be most convenient to the Indian population, for the purpose of arresting the progress of small-pox among the several tribes by vaccination.
Physicians or surgeons to be employed, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, empowered to employ as many physicians or surgeons, from the army or resident on the frontier near the point where their services shall be required, as he may find necessary for the execution of this act; and, if necessary, two competent persons to conduct the physicians to the remote Indians who are infected, or may be in immediate danger of being infected, with the small-pox, whose compensation shall be six dollars per day, and six men, whose compensation shall be twenty-five dollars per month.
Supply of vaccine matter.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, to cause all Indian agents to be supplied with genuine vaccine matter; and all agents and sub-agents shall use all proper means to persuade the Indian population to submit to vaccination.
Monthly returns and general report.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That all agents, sub-agents, physicians and surgeons, employed in the execution of this act, shall make monthly returns or reports of their proceedings to the War Department And the Secretary thereof shall submit to Congress, on or before the first of February next, a general report of all proceedings in the premises.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That, to carry this act into effect, the sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved, May 5, 1832.