The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-06-08
SMALL, Pox AND VACCINATION.

The extract following, from paper reao d.
tbe recent Medical Convention IN washington,
annears to be of such value, both to professl01n,'
and Law readers that 1t cannot De TOO "lloe,y
d;.F It Is from the pen of DIR Lyndon A.
smith Of Newark. New Jersey, and is part OF his
rnnort on the epidemics of that State for three
years past -
Small nox has been more than usually prevalent
in MANY portions of the State, but the faith OF the
profession in the efficacy of vaccination as pre-
lrant;vo Is in no sense weakened but most of them
believe that "perfect' vaccination Is Perlec'
protection" In my own experience this perfec-
ton is not always attained by one trial, but some
times requires two or more; ana my Prac'lce - ~
reyacclnnate IN all cases So lonS do - '"o0o.0
effect can be produced. ,rc
That yacc nation never wears out is my behet,
90 in nv own case it has stood the test OF forty
eight years, during which time L have repeatedly
revaccinated myself without any other effect thah
slight inflammatory action, and have very often
been exposed to the most virulent forms OF small
pox with impunlty.
From an experience of thirty-seven years, dur
ing which time have been very careful obserV-
er the following opinions are advanced with great
confidence:
1st That perfect vaccination affords per-
feet protection from small pox during life, and
that if this is done, in all instances, soon after
birth, smallpox may, DIR Jenner supposed 1t
would be eradicated.
ID That in some subjects one vaccination is
sufficient to destroy the susceptibility to small
pox, while in others, two and sometimes more arc
required and therefore it is important to vaccnatc
as long as an impression can be made.
Sd. That vaccination will protect the life and
mitigate the distress of patient who has already
taken the small pox, if done in time to allow the
first disease to pervade the system.
4th. That the common idea that the sorer the
IL
a mistake, and that very small pustulc, which
goes through the regular stages and produces
constitutional effect about the ninth day, is more
generally perfect than that produces great in
tlamaton pain and swelling, and affects the glands.
Indeed, | am always suspicious OF a case where
this has occurred, and take an early opportunity
to revaccnate, and have often had my suspicious
verified by good pustule
5th. That the virus should always be taken be-
fore the areola forms, if taken from the pustule,
and with great caution, lest it interfere with its
progress. Ny own practice is to the scab
and insert it in a pulverized form by means of
Fancher's vaccinator, which is a simple and con-
venent instrument, and saves much time, and
never produce unnecessary inflamation
9th. That the virus should never be taken
from any but a healthy infant of healthy parents,
and then there is little no danger OF propa@at-
ing any other disease as many think may be and
often is done.
It'll. That eruptons often occur after the most
careful vaccination, and owing to some peculiar
idiosyncracy, although the friends of the patient
attribute it to the virus. Hence the importance
OF the last observation, which may save the physi
clan from blame.
Sth. That small scar with pits indentations
around its border is much better evidence of the
perfectness Of vaccination than larger, smooth
and glossy one, though many think that the bigger
the scar the better the vaccination
9th. In re-vacclnatlng patient who has good
scar, if the virus produce rcdness and itching for
few days and then dries up, l infer that the first
vaccination was perfect. If it produce other
effect than is common to a slight puncture of the
skim, [ infer that the virus is not good, and
Immediately make another attempt with new
supply.
SWINDLING IN TENNEssEE.-The last Legsla-
ture of Tennessee appointed committee to inves-
tigate the affairs of the Secretary of State and
Comptroller. The result has been the develop
ment of large frauds. The Nashville Union says
The Secretary of States office shows dcfalca-
ton on the part of that officer, to an amount ex-
ceeding SIC, 000-moncy paid to him as Internal
Improvement Commissioner, by the different Turn
pike Companies. The largest amount of stealing
has been in connection with the bonds belonging
to the Exchange Bank at Murfresboro, which are
said to fall Sl23 900 short of the amount of its cir
culation. That Bank has not now single bond on
deposite, and those who hold its notes have not the
value of one cent representing them. If they are
ever redeemed, it must be by the State. The mys-
terry of this swindle is still unrevealed 1t is re-
ported at Nashville, that Moscby, the young man
implicated, has fled from Nashville, whittier no one
knows. 1t is furthermore said that Burton the
dctaulting Secretary Of State has never given any
bond for the faithful discharge of the duties Of
the office, far relates to the internal improve
ment fund to be received by him.