The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-10
Small pox...Old and New Remedies.

singuIarth certain contagious diseases,
especially small pox, spread more in
tho winter season (Which, in other rc-
spects, is the healthiest time Of the
year when the cold destroys the mias-
mata which flourish in tropical climes
and, in hot summers, sometimes visits
portions Of the temperate zone. But
inordertoexplRin this apparent anomaly
we have only to consider that in winter
large number OF the lower Glasses of
people huddle together in ill.ventilated
rooms, in order to shelter themselves
against the cold. OF course this is ia
yorable to the growth OF miasmata,
which only need suitable conditions to
propagate themselves. Microscopists
have succeeded in tracing the origin OF
many contagious to parasitic growth,
either vegetable or animal, and it is not
improbable that this will ultimately be
the case with all, the denial of many
medical authorities Notwithstanding.
1t should be kept in yiewthat, formerly,
equally high authorities used to deny
most peremptorily, to several diseases,
the origin which is now, beyond the
shadow OF a doubt, proved to be the
true one, namely, the growth of ami
mnlcule or vegetable parasites. II
should also be considered that the fact
OF not finding such, in certain cases, is
only negative proof; they may be
there and the investigator may have
failed to find them but other searchers
in course of time and with instruments
more perfect thanwe possess at present,
or by help Of m improved mOdus
opcrdndi, will undoubtedly discover
them. Microscopic investigation has
only Just commenced to be applied in
medicine, and the most advanced ply
sicians know now that il is one OF the
most powerful helps in medical dag.
nosis.
Eruptivc feye.s arc diseases Of the
blood; they probably originate in q
kind Of catalytic poison in the system,
which may be q result OF parasitic
growth, MS is the case with fermentation
and many other chemical changes.
However, the future will decide the
question definitely; in the meantime
we must observe, use our best iudg.
ment, and apply all the light, as far rs
the present state Of science allows, to
combat this class Of diseases, among
which small pox is one Of tile most
virulent, loathsome and dangerous. In
order to be fully convinced Of this, one
has only to visit n small pox hospital
aud see this interesting disease in allits
stages.
In regard to the effectiveness OF the
protection afforded by vaccination, the
statistics show that this discovery,
made by Jenner more than century
ago, had the most startling influence in
staying the smallpox rayAges OF that
time, and 1t kept the nations who nc.
copied it comparatively free the ex-
perienco Of the physicians Of the pres
ent day tends in the same direction,
and all doubt fostered by some in re.
gard to its effectiveness proceeds solely
from want OF acquaintance with the
facts, which are overwhelming in proof
Of its great value to the h,imnn race.
AS tho health and longevity of vacci-
mated persons is on the general average
equal to TINT Of others who escape the
smallpox without vaccination, there
can bo no serious objection on that
ground. The rule, laid down by sOme,
that persons must be yaccinated every
seven years is totally arbitrary and
without any foundation whatsoever
different individuals will differ greatly
in this respect, and, in order to be safe,
y it is we'll to try II vaccination will
"take" in case any danger is appre'
hended, even II 1t has been applied
only three or four years ago. II Tic
epidemic is prevailing and the person
is exposed to no danger, 1t is needless
to reYaccinate every seven years ter
years or more may elapse, and we have
J known individuals who undoubtedly, by
single effective vaccination in child
hood have been protected fortheir whole
lives.
J In regard to the treatment, 1t mus
be kept in view that here, ms in all erup
, tive icvers, it must have its course, and
cannot be cut short without robbing
! the patient entirely OF his chance Of es
cape. Careful guarding against taking
J cold, good nursing, the mildest possible
diet, and abstience from irritating food
, and remedial agents similarly objection
! able are the first necessities OF small
! pox cases.
The latest medical journals recon
J mend two new remedies, which expert,
: ence has proved to be beneficial. DR..
Revillod, Of Geneva, recommends ely.
Germ as an exterior application; this,
through its soothing action, diminishcs
the intensity of the eruption. He mix
es il with soap and some mercurial oint-
ment. DR.. Carl Nagel, Royal Chancel-
lor OF Health in Berlin, recommends
xylol; he has administered this inter-
nally in eighty cases, thirty.six Of which
had the smallpox in its worst form,
and only four died, which is q better
result than that OF any other remedy
thus far known. Xylol, or xylen, is
one Of the hydrocarbons obtained by
the listillation OF coal tar, wood tar, or
Burmese Petroleum, Inns the antiseptic
properties Of carbolic Acid from coal,
and of creosote from wood.
Itiswell.known thatmAny derivatives
bcnzol, OF tar, creosote, corbolic acid,
toluol, xylol, etc., are all poisons
for small organic growths, either
vegetable or animal; that they, for in
stance, at once destroy fermentation by
killing the microscopic yeast plant ;
tits also known that mercurials are es.
pecially poisonous to parasites Of all
kinds, especially animal ones. These
remedies now appear to be effective in
smallpox, and this raises tho very
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