Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-12-27
Small Pox.
Addre IS by the State Boa ri of RE n 4 4

| N"~~ SP'~NN VI tu0 UlSc6Se WucTt
has found foothold, calls for wore
of warning and advice from those who
have been constituted the guardians o.
the Public Health.
The average yearly death-rate from
smallpox in Wisconsin is somew hat
over one hundred, while the average
number OF cases annually exceeds fou,
hundred. Already within the last
three months, these numbers have
been exceeded and unless vigorou.
measuressare adopted aud great vigi.
lauce observed, it will exact msch
larger tribute of human life.l
The experience of Wisconsin, in this
respect is not exceptional. This Ioath
some and very fatal disease is visiting
other localities to such an extent that
those who have watched its progress,
greatly fear widespread epidemic of
1t during the coming winter months.
10 be forewarned should be to be fore
armed.
Small pox is pre-eminentIy pre-
ventable disease. 1t is preventable be-
cause We possess the means by which
we may reasonably expect to keep it
from our homes and from our commu-
nifty. 1t never visits either, except
those means known to be able to pre-
vent it have been neglected.
We urge upon the people of Wis
consin, upon the constituted authorities
of every township, village or city
within its borders, and especially upon
physicians, to institute such measures
as will serve to stay the progress of the
disease.
The measures to be instituted are
vaccination and revaccination.
The undersigned have unqualified
confidence in the protective power of
thorough Vacination, believing that it
can render to all persons perfect pro-
lection against any form Of variolous
disese-bat to secure this protection
three conditions must be carefully OBJ
served:
ist. The virus used must be pure
and vigorous
I'd. The operation must be skillfully
and properly performed.
Sd. Revaccination must be frequent
ly practieed to test the returning sus-
ceptibility Of the system to the small
pox contagion.
BY strict and universal observance
of those rules we believe that the small
pox might be stamped out of existence
TO neglect such rules is to endanger
not only the life Of him who negects
them but also the lives of those with
whom he associates. We believe there
is no valid excuse for such neglect.
With regard to re-vaccination the
facts are that a certain number of per-
sous are protected for life by one vac
cinatiou, while the protection of others
extends to but limited and variable
period. Hence as we are without the
power to distinguish between these
classes, revacclnation is as essential as
primary operation, and should be per-
formed at least every season of an cpl
demic diffusion of the disease.
Should small pox unfortunately ap.
pear in any community we earnestly
recommed the adoption of the following 2
rules:
Thoroughly isolate every case that
may occur, and keep it SO isolated until
all danger that the disease can be COM
municatsd is past If the patients be
kept III 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 once vac
cnated without regard to any previous
operation.
At the close of the disease articles
which can be so treated should be
dlsinfeeted by being subjected to the
action of boiling water, or be baked in
an oven at a temperature Of not less
than 2l2 degrees. Heat effectually
destroys the poison germ Such artl-
cles as cannot be so treated should re-
main 10 the room and be subjected to
sulphurous fumigation, which is effect
ed by placing about three pounds of
sulphur in safe and convenient vessel
in the room with the doors, windows
and chimney flue closed and ignite it.
The room should remain closed ten or
twelve hours.
Ventilation and painting the wood
work, whltewashing and repairing the
walls, will complete the process and fit
the rooms for rehabilitation.
IRE RESULT OF THE INvEsTIGA-
TIoNS.-Latest advices from New Or
leans Indicate the fuller investigation
the more clearly will it appear that
Hayes carried the State fairly, and that
the action of the Returning Board
cannot be shaken. The Democrats are
still relying upon a new count in Flor
ida, They do not have much conf
dence that it will change the result
of the electoral vote, but hope it can
be made to show the election of the
State ticket.
There are now 3 RQ7 ,o;,o, of ro;l