The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-12-09
For the ReDubli'can
b. b. ROWLAND, C2er

For the Republican.
Mr.. Rcad-When we hear our fellow.
citizens propose to erect an Hospital for
the reception of such persons as arc unfor.
tunately convicted of having, holding, and
being afflicted with that very serious and
unwelcome intruder, the Small Pox; and
especially when we see the public author
ities in favor of such proceeding, we can
not forbear suggesting to them that such q
measure, in point both Of safety and econ.
omy, wond he at least thirty years behind
the discoveries and Improvements Of the
age. Indeed it reminds US, not inaptly Of
the fable Of the kind but unwary peasant
who warmed in his own bosom the very
viper that stung him TO the heart. We
ought at least in matters where tho health
and happiness Of a community are concern
ed, to be guided rather by the experience
and examples Of past ages, than by our own
opinions or caprice. And if we believe
with most sensible men, that example is
better than precept and are willing to be
guided1 by it rather than follow our own
crude and dangerous prejudices, we ought
certainly to bring to our minds the fact,
that most Of the enlightened nations of iae
earth have within the last thirty years A,
bolished almost entirely their expensive
small pox establishments and declared that
it is BY universal and effective vaccination
alone, that the frightful ravagcs of this dis
ease can be stayed.
We have remedy in our power, and il
we but employ it as prudence and philan.
thropy dictate. the time will soon come
when Small Pox will be as the evils that
are past, and known only By name. But it
ignorance and prejudice be permitted to
exercise their dangerous influence, far dis
tant is the day when so glorious triumph
shall be obtained.
It never can be accomplished until Hos.
pitals are universally discarded, and those
who delight il numbering their offspring,
and entailing disease and misery upon their
fellow men, are compelled to seek safety
for themselves and others by a prompt and
cautious attention to vaccination. This, IT
careful and repeated observations can es.
tablish facts, and the physicians OF the last
half century have not been fools, IS at least
a sure a prophylactic or protector Of the
system against Small Pox. as the disease
itself. How much wiser then would II be
TO interpose tho arm Of public authority, in
securing eUective vdcCludtioU to eaCH anu
every member Of the community. than TO
waste her treasures in rearing a Nursery
and Asylum which could only strengthen
and perpetuate the very enemy It is intend
ed to destroy. There is not, in the whole
history Of civilization. a more brilliant ex.
ample Of the triumph Of art over the stern
progress Of nature, than is afforded in the
substitution Of vaccina for variola, and
while time shall last and gratitude be a
resident upon the earth, the name OF IT'S H.
lustrious discovcrer shall in no way be for
gotten. When groundles, prejudice shall
cease TO operate, and private emolumen, be
sacriced to the general good, then, says
an eminent author. shall the name Of Jen.
ner be pronounced with rapture By CRATE.
ful world, and the reign of one OF the most
terrible Of diseases bsnished from the earth
Indeed if tho ultimatum OF ambition is In
confer blessings upon mankind, what phi.
Ian,hropist or aspiran, for Immortality
would not rather be a Jenner than any man
who has existed within the last thousand
years? 49,,
We have onlv to add that in our opinion
some pronp, and 'igid measures 10 secure
seFse,ual vaccination to our citizens, would