Birch was a surgeon of much repute in his day, both in hospital and private practice, but was chiefly known for his enthusiastic advocacy of electricity as a remedial agent, and for his equally ardent opposition to the introduction of vaccination.
For more than twenty-one years, he says, he performed the manipulations himself, since he found it difficult to induce the students to take much interest in the subject.
Nevertheless, his writings on the subject, which were widely circulated both in this country and abroad, must have done much in keeping alive professional interest in investigations which have turned out to be remarkably fruitful in practical results.
[1][2][3] He published pamphlets in opposition to the practice of vaccination, and advocated variolation to prevent and friction electricity to cure smallpox.
[2] He also gave evidence before a committee of the House of Commons in the same sense, his objections have no longer much scientific interest, but the point of view from which he regarded the subject is represented in his monumental epitaph, as follows: "The practice of cow-poxing, which first became general in his day, undaunted by the overwhelming influence of power and prejudice, and by the voice of nations, he uniformly and until death perseveringly opposed, conscientiously believing it to be a public infatuation, fraught with peril of the most mischievous consequences to mankind."
Published in the latter writer's 'Examination of Evidence relative to Cow-pox delivered to the Committee of the House of Commons by two of the Surgeons of St. Thomas's Hospital,' 2nd edition, 1805.
The last two were reprinted by Penelope Birch, with the title 'An Appeal to the Public on the Hazard and Peril of Vaccination, otherwise Cow-pox,' 1817, 8vo.