The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04
Small Pox in Orleans County.


We noticed last week the rumors respect
ing this disease in Brownington and other
towns in Orleans County. In the last Yeo-
mans Record we find communion
ton from DR.. j. f. SKINNER, of Brownington,
giving authentic information upon the sub
ject, from which we make tho annexed ex-
tracts:
Saturday evening, Oct. Both, Doct Mahuu-
nah,a former pupil ofmine, came to my house
from West Farnham, G. f., where he Is now
in practice; and he left home the Tuesday
before; had been quite unwelI, and stopped
two days in Derby. On Sabbath there was
some slight eruption OH his face and hands,
but he felt better, and attended meeting ut
our place. On Monday, before he left, the
eruption being more distinct, ] was led TO
fear il might be case of Varioloid, or modi-
fed Small Pox, which led me TO enquire of
him as to whether he had been exposed. He
informed me that some years since, he had
been vaccinated, that about four months since,
he had some four or five cases Of Small PoX,
and attended them through, and had no symp-
toms of the disease; since that time, he had
not seen a case, or been exposed, TO his
knowledge. From this, came to the con-
cluson that his system was secured from lia-
bility to contract the disease.
Nov. 9th or 10th-two daughters Of mine
became unwell, and in about two days came
kiel Johnson, who lived in my house, was
taken violently sick, and on the Sd day ofthe
attack slight indications of eruption were
discoverable which led me to fear the charac-
ter of the disease. He never having been
vaccinated, his is u case of unmodifed
Small PoX, and a severe one, but up 10 this
date is doing well. On the 18th and 18th,
myself and wife were taken, and have passed
through the modified form of the disease.
The above are all the cases which have oc-
Cured, excepting learn that there has been
one case of the modified form of the disease
in the family in Derby with whom DIR. Ma
hannah stopped when on his way to my house.
All the cases that have existed thus for, must
have contracted the disease from him, as sut-
ficient time has not elapsed for any 10 come
down which might have been exposed to
those recently sick.
Immediately on ascertaining the character
of the disease, l sent to Boston for vaccine
matter, some Of which obtained last Satur-
day,with which have vaccinated all who had
been most exposed and had been previously
vaccinated BY this hope TO be able to cut
short the disease and prevent any further
spread oft. As soon rs vaccine matter can
be had from those whom have now vacci-
mated, would recommend to the public that
all be vaccinated who have never been, and
that re-vaccination be practised, which if
we'll and thoroughly done will as surely pre-
vent Small PoX, as the burning the stubble
from your field in dry time will preveut the
spread offire.
In regard to the protective power of vacci-
nation, would remark, that it is absolute in
the majority of cases, and temporary for Il
small part, and those few who do take the
disease will only have the modified form.
But the modified form will convey the I'M
modified to such us have never been vaccna-
ted as surely as the most genuine case of the
disease will.
REPRESENTATION has heen extensively prac-
ticed in France, since 1880. Since that time
they have had no epidemic Small PoX in that
country. In Prussia, re-vaccination has been
practiced in the army since 1888, and the
Small Pox las been almost entirely eXtirpa-
ted. In Wurtemburg but one case of Small
Pox occurred in five years among 1881 re-
vnccinated soldiers and three only among
29,S64 re-vaccinated civilians. As matter
oipublc safety, therefore, ] would urge the
attention orthe community to the subject.