Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-20
Revaccination for smallpox.

There is probably no more loathsome
disease afflicts humanity than smallpox.
Most persons are more or less familiar
with its fearful ravages of life previous
to the great discovery of DIR. Jenner.
OF all epidemcs it was then the most
difficult to control. Strange to say the
efficacy of vaccination has been a good
deal disputed Of late years. There is a
law in England compelling parents to
vaccinate their children. Some have
positively refused, cheerfully submitting
to the penalty of the law. Their re-
fnsal to comply with the law has more
over been defended by some parties on
scientific grounds. 1t ought to be dis
tinctly understood that these theoretical
opposers of vaccination have not made
out case. We consider that it has been
abundantly proven that when a child is
vaccinated, and the vaccination has
really taken, such child is entirely safe
ever after. The difficulty is, that in some
instances the vaccine virus is imperfectly
diffused through the system, and here
there is danger. This ought to be dis
tinctly understood. It's on this ground
that many persons have secuted the
idea of DR.. Jenners discovery hav-
ing been blessing to the race
The fact however is that it is not
perfect but imperfect vaccination that
is useless. AS the terrible disease is
now in New York, and may probably
visit many other localities, people ought
to know that this has long since been es-
tablished. Indeed, it is so well estab
lished that many persons practice re-
vaccination. In illustration of the vir-
tue of revaccination, it may be stated
that the nurses in the smallpox hospital
in London, upon whom it is invariably
practiced, before they enter upon SER
vice, 'are entirely secure. Here is
letter addressed to the New York Tri-
bune, which we think may be read with
profit:
"Mr. Simon, the medical officer of the
Privy Council has issued memoran-
dunn pointing out that there has always
been very large quantity Of imperfect
vaccination in infancy; it is therefore
very desirable that all persons should,
as they approach adult life, undergo re-
vaccination. Generally speaking, Mr..
Simon says the best time of life for re-
vaccination is from fifteen to eighteen
years of age, and persons in that period
of life ought not to delay their revaccina-
ton. Where there is prevalence of
small pox in any neighborhood, or where
individuals are, from personal circum-
stances, likely to meet chances of infec-
ton, the age of fifteen need not be wait
ed for. In circumstances of special
danger, every one past childhood, on
whom reyaecination has not before
been successfully performed, ought, the
memorandum says, without delay to be
revaccinated. The same paper, in a
leader, goes on to say; No person can
possibly be so dangerously exposed to
the contagion of small pox as the nurses
in the small pox hospital, yet they are
entirely secure against it, and for what
reason2 They are once for all revac-
cinated on their admission for service
in the hospital, and the operation is
never repeated A single repetition of
so simple an operation can be no incon-
venience to any one; but the public
should thoroughly understand that the
repetition is in all cases necessary if
immunity is to be insured" The fore
going speaks for itself, and needs no re-
marks.