The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-11
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
SMALL POX;

In consequence of the existence of a
contagious disease in the town of Worces-
ter, and of much doubt and uncertainty re-
| speeding Its true character, meeting of
the citizens was had, and a committee was
tnere chosen, who we're authorised to send
Tor physicians, whose experience upon the
subject Of Small Pox would enable them TO
determine in regard to it's existence in this
place. In the discharge of tina: duty the
Committee sent for DR.. ]. C. v. Smith, who
for the last six years has been employed bv
the city of Boston, as the Hospital Physi-
clan for Rainsford Island, and in that stua-
ton has had the disease almost constantly
before him. They invited DR.. John d.
Fishe: OF Boston, VINO has carefully inves-
tigated the subject, and published the re-
suit in treatise much valued by medical
gentlemen, to accompany him. On Satur-
day, the 9TH inst, Drs. Smith and Fisher
having examined, in company with all the
Physicians of the town of Worcester, the
individuals, who now are or have been af-
hicted with the malady, respecting which
doubts have existed, made the following re-
port, which was read and accepted at Il
meeting of the citizens of this town.
To Charles Allen, Isaac Davis, and Rejoice
Nsacton, Esq rs a Committee in behalf of
the citizens Of FORESTER:
The undersigned, who have been reouested
to give professional opinion in relation to the
character of an eruptve disease, now existing
in the town of Worcester,-in presenting the
following report, beg leave to acknowledge their
obligations To the medical gentlemen of the place
for the aid they have kindly afforded in facili.
tating their Investigations
&os~ l.
ton Of this malady, the history of the prog
rcss of which, rreslstably proves it to be en-
tagious but we are decidedly of ihe opinion.
that il is the genuine Small Pox, exhibiting in
different individuals, all its distinguishing char.
acteristics, in the distinct and continent yarie.
ties.
We also recognize in the slightly develoned
ernptons of such as have been exposed TO The
influence of this contagion, the same disease, in
modified farm-which is, no less contagious IN
its character, or dangerous to the public health.
1t is admitted BY high medical authority, that
the susceptibility of the system to the specific
action OF the Small Pox, in many instances, is
not absolutely destroyed by Kline Pock or vari.
olous noculation:-and our personal experience
warrants us in assuring the gentlemen of the
Committee, that the eruption, which, under
such circumstances, does appear, will propagate
the true Small Pox, accompanied with all the
acknowledged and essential characteristics.
The undersigned are perfectly satisfied that
the sanative measures proposed, end, in fact,
already in operation, by removing the sick to
| remote hospital, in connection with general
vaccination of all who are unprotected by
previous vaccination, will speedily arrest its
further progress,-and with single exception,
there is well founded hope of the recovery of
all those persons who are at this time laboring
under the disease.
Very respectfully and obedienily,
J. V. c. SMITH, M. D.
JOHN D. FISHER, M. D.
Worcester, Jan'7, 1882.
After the acceptance of the report de-
sire was expressed that more explicit i'm
formation. might be had on the subject of
the efficacy Of vaccination in preventing
the Small Pox. The Committee address
ed note to Drs. Smith and Fisher, re-
questing instruction on this point, and
have received the following reply.
BosToS, Jan. 9, 1892.
In answer to your inquiry by yesterdays
mail, we can only add the following note.
AS your committee have requested our opin-
ion concerning vaccination, preventive
against Small Pox contagion, we would observe
that 1t has been proved by long and unquestion-
able experience, that the Cow .Pock may gener-
ally be relied upon as security against the
Small Pox, in all its forms and that when it
does not completely secure the system from the
variolous infection, it still has such controlling
power as to modify and render the disease light
and comparatively harmless to the individual.
Were vaccination performed in every instance,
by acknowledged and skllul practitioners, with
pure vsrus, and under proper circumstances,
we believe that the Small Pox, occurring after
vaccination, would be nearly as much ola phe
nomenon, as Small Pox occurring in person
who had already passed through that disease.
Our confidence in vaccination, as a proven
tive OF the Small Pox, is mistaken.
j. V. C. SMITH.
JOHN D. FISHER.