River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-28
SMALL Pox.

The appearance of Small Pox in
many places in our state and the con-
tinued spread of the disease where it
has found foot-hold, call for word
of warning and advice from those who
have been constituted the guardians of
the Public Health.
The average yearly death rate from
Small Pox in Wisconsin is somewhat
over one hundred, while the average
number of cases, annually exceeds
four hundred. Already gifhia the
last three months, these numbers have
been exceeded and unless vigorous
measures are adopted and great vigil
lance observed it will exact a much
larger tribute of human life.
The experience of Wisconsin in this
respect is not exceptional. This loath-
some and very fatal disease is visit
ing other localities to such an extent
that those who have watched its pro-
gress, greatly fear a wide spread cpl
demic of it during the coming winter
months.
To be forewarned should be to be
forearmed.
SMALL POX Is PERMANENTLY A PREVENT
ABLE DIsEAsR.--It is preventable be-
cause we possess the means by which
we may reasonably expect TO keep it
| from our homes, and from our COM
munity. 1t never visits either, except
as those means known TO be able to
| prevent 1T have been neglected.
We urge upon the citizens of Wis
consin, upon the constituted authori-
ties of every township, village, or city
| Within Its borders, and especially
upon physicians, to institute such
measures as will serve to stay the pro-
gress of the disease.
The measures to be instituted are
| VACCINATION AND REvACCINATIoN.
The undersigned have unqualified
confidence in the protective power of
thorough vaccination, believing that
it can render to all persons, perfect
protection against any form of va
| riolOus diSeases-but to secure this
protection three conditions must be
carefully observed.
LIST. The virus used must be pure
and vigorous.
I'd. The operation must be skill
fully and properly performed.
Sd. Revaccination must be fire.
quently practiced to test the returning
susceptibility of the system to the
Small Pox Contagion.
BY a strict and universal observ-
ance of these rules we believe that
Small POX might be stamped out of
existence. To neglect such rules is TO
endanger not only the life of him who
neglects them but also the lives of
| fhnca with uThnp1 hn Na
believe there is no valid excuse for
such neglect.
With regard to revaccination the
facts are, that certain number of
persons are protected for life by one
vaccination, while the protection of
others extends to but limited and
variable period. Hence as we are
without the power to distinguish be-
tween these classes, revaccinatiOn is
essential as primary operation and
should be performed at least every
five years. 1t should also be perform.
ed at every season of an epidemic diff
fusion of the disease.
Should Small Pox unfortunately ap-
pear in any community we earnestly
recommend the adoption of the fol.
lowing rules:
ISOLATION.
Thoroughly isolate eUery case that
may occur, and keep it so isolated un.
til al danger that the disease can be
communicated is past. If the pa.
tient be kept in private house, it is
better that the uppermOst rooms of the
house be used for the purpose--every
person in the vicinity should be at
| nnnn yanninafn1 Nrit hnttf ,.n a,rIA 70
previous operation.
DISTINCTION.
At the close of the disease articles
which can be so treated should be
disinfected by being subjected to the
action of boiling water, or be baked
in an oven at temperature of not
less than 2l2 degrees. Heat effectual-
ly destroys the poison germ. Such
articles as cannot be so treated should
remain in the room and he subjected to
sULPHURoUs FUNIGATION.
which is effected bp placing about
three pounds of sulphur in a safe and
| convenient vessel in the room with
the doors, windows and chimney fiues
| closed and ignite it. The room should
remain closed ten or twelve hours.
VENTILATION and painting the wood
work, whitewashing and repapering
| the walls, will complete the process
and fit the room for rehabilitation.
f. l.. GRIFFIN, NJ. D., Fond du Lac,
john FAvILL, NJ. d., Madison.
SOLoN MARKS, NJ. d., Milwaukee,
JAMES BNTLIFF, GAINESVILLE.
j. I. REEVES, NJ. d., Appleton,
II. p. STRONG, NJ. d., Beloit,
/ a. n