The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-23
VACCINATION.
How Long''is it a Protection?
Prot. Dickson says--Not More Than
aYear.
Other Distinguished Physicians Advise
Frequent Vaccination.

n Single case VI VaTiOlUlu OCCuEiuR III ILLS
city has awakened people to the impor-
lance of vaccination. And, as many peo-
pie are of opinion that it is not necessary
for them to be vaccinated because they
were vaccinated when children, we have
asked DR.. G.. G. Craig to permit the pub
LEGATION of letters on the subject received
by him in the winter of 1872. The first is
from Prof. Dickson, then Prof. Prac. Med,
in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
Prof, Dickson is not now living, but his
letter will be read With interest, coming
from a man of such high reputation and
large experience;
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. o, 1872
G. G. CRAIG, NJ. D., Dear Doctor.-l
reply without delay to yours OF the 18th
inst, containing certain questions concern
ing small pox and vaccination.
No member of our profession has ven
tured to trust to the protective power OF
the vaccine as against small pox after the
lapse of an underlined period OF time. In
other words re-uaccinotion is universally
adyised-at each recurrence OF epidemic
yariola. We feel, with Niemeyer, that the
true uncertainty has been shifted In terms,
and that we now ask ho,o short period OF
protection we must allot to vaccine, not hoao
Iona that protection lasts Whatever we
may think, dogmatically, zoe feet tnat IL u
best to take the safest side and ACT upoh
Torrey's suggestion that you cahnot 'ac'
cinate too often" We are trying 10 re-
re-vaccinate everybody. old and young,
who has not undergone the operation si!ce
the present prevailing epidemic mas seq H.
Nv entire household was thus treated
We do not think it prudent to conhde IL
any history-nor in the most accurately
typical appearance of the scar or scars.
A very large proportion OF the, recen'
and current cases of small pox and yarlo
loid are among subjects automatically re
corded as vaccinated and acett udccsnated
and aoeU marked. The Intervals that hay
passed in this large series vary iron
: months to years; indeed there is nothln
definite to be stated with regard to TIL
point. Early in my own career l attende'
a lady through harsh attack OF Varlola
i. who had when child in London been vac
cinated by Jenner himself and pronounce
to be permanently secure.
But it is pleasant to know that our n
cent re vaccinations have been OF the hlgf
est value. am always making diliger
inquiry, and thus far [ have heard of br
, one single case, recently re-UGccinated, a
, sailed by the pestilence which is now don
inant here.
will take the liberty of advising :.
1st, That you re-vaccInate every lndl
' vidual who has not been vacclnated with
year. =,
I'd, That you persist in repeating tn
operation until pustule be produced wit
. marked arcola around it.
Sd. That you use the matter FROM a pr
naaru vaccine vesicle-regular and typlca
not from a secondary Udcci,ae or re-rd
v cinated subject.
q Excuse these hints, but we natural
RI suppose that our current experience CO
n fers on us the undeniable privilege
stating our opinions with some exception
weight. Let me say further--that ye
=. will not often get by re-vacclnatlon IN
subject well vaccinated previously reg
- lar and typical and pretty looking vesie
or pustule. There is apt to be more
ay less irregularity IN time and In the a
N pearance and it is not always easy to So
coed. Persist however until you get q
iy' table result 1t sometimes happens tn
ph such case looks quite regular, but y
must not expect it-nor will it be we'll
W. use it or depend upon it as cicatrice
propagatng source. Finally-you m
rr rely with confidence in the MoDIFYIl
y POWER OF VACCINE. Herewith lies
linestimable value as the best insurance
RS life. Yours Respectfully,
B. III. DICKSON.