Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-09

MORE DISCUSSION OF SMALLPOX AND vAccI

NUKE bAstNcrAoN " 1890
At meeting of the board Of health last night
the Health Officer DIR. Verdi stated that he had
received a communication from DR.. Cutler, OF
Boston, together with a small vial of vaccine
matter, which he submitted as a superior and
less expensive mode of retaining lymph than the
points. on motion, the letter was filed and the
matter ordered to be tested.
A report was received from A. VI. Sprague,
superintendent Of the smallpox hospital, IN
which he states that the buildings erected for
use of the smallpox employes-stables, sheds,
&c.-had been inspected and found in excellent
condition, Food and provisions had been pro-
yided and a Waterman employed, whose duty IT
is to watch the buildings, take care Of and feed
horses and fumigate and disinfect the ambu-
lane 8 as they arrive. This portion OF the small
pox service cannot be excelled as to isolation of
the employees and economy. The building Of
the extension OF the hospital is progressing rap
idly.
The chairman presented the
NoRTCARY REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT
for the months Of October and November, 1872,
as follows: October-1s1 deaths; whites, 105,
eolored, &c; males, 50; females 9s; increase of IL
deaths; white, 81; colored, "a; males, 81; females
a.; decrease of % over the previous month.
OF these numbers34 deaths were from smallpox
in October and 80 in Move mber.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS AS pISsEMISAToRs OF
SMALLPOX.
The secretary read a communication from Z" a
citizen" respectfully sug costing :" that where
there are dogs and cats connected with houses
where there are smallpox patients located they
be eXteImnated. 1 consider this Is a necessary
measure to prevent the spread of the disease as
/ noticed dog going in ard out the back yard
at the house corner of 9th and @ streets north
west and assOciating or mixing with other dogs.
Is not this good way to disseminate the cpl
dtmic."
THE SMALLPOX SERVICE.
DIR. Verdi reported that he had given orders
for the building OF extension wings to the small,
poN hospital, which are now in progress of erec-
ton by the contractors, nessrs. Smith & Co.,
and that they viii be ready to occupy by Satur-
day. His action was approved.
fine health officer reported that he had or
dered the officer whose duty it is to bury the
dead from small pox to make charges to such
families as desired their friends inferred i'm pri-
vate burial grounds at the same rates were
made by undertakers. This action was ap-
proved. Also, that he had directed the same Of
fcer TO surround all bodies with carbonate of
lime, or in lieu of it TO use a double coffin as a
precautionary measure. Considerable discus
sion followed this announcemen Messrs. Lang
ston, Marbury, and Cox opposing it. DIR. Cox
SAIL he was opposed to forcing citizens to scat
ter lime dust about their deceased friends; he
thought some other suitable disinfectant should
be used instead. Nothing really was necessary
but an ordinary coffin to isolate the cOntagion.
Mr.. Marbury said it was not right to force poor
people to pay for a double coffin, as many of
them were not able to pay for single one.
Mr. Iangston agreed with both Mr.. Marbury
and DIR. Cox. The action of the health officer
was disappToved.
Mr.. Marbury read a communication from W.
p. Sanger, complaining OF pile of dirt dumped
tractor Gleason; referred to the board OF public
works
Dr. Verdi offered a resolution that the presi-
dent OF the board request all heads of depart
ments that whenever smallpox occurs in the
family OF any employe in their respective depart
ments, or whenever employees have been affected
with or exposed to the smallpox. the same be
not allowed To return to duty in any department mt
where other clerks are coleC ted. unless the same
can produce a certificate from the health officer
that he is in condition not 10 convey the conta-
gion; agreed to.
DR. cox ExPIA AIMS.
ItT. Cox stated that the meaning of his re-
marks at their last meeting in relation to vacci
nation from Scab had been Inexperienced, and
he hoped to see the published reports corrected.
He did not recommend vaccination from the
scab. While the scab. from healthy subject,
may be comparatively inoccuous and efficacous
"a prOphylactic il is unquestiOned that Occa-
siOnally blood faint and cuta neOus disorder NAV
result from its use. His suggestion was to use
the matter OF the vesicle on the 9Th day after
its appearance when the lymph is sui geseris
and of undoubted purity. Subsequent to that
period supervenes the hygenic stage of infam-
nation, when the cells become charged with pus
and various taints- In England an immense
number were vaccinated i'm this way, on the sth
day OF the vesicle. and the experiment was not
only found effcaclous in producing perfect vac
cine results. but in 10 instance did any constitu-
tional or local faint follow the operation. Adj
journed.