River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-29

tent in adjoining states, and the recent
importation of several cases of that
loathsome malady into Wisconsin, ~
mand that the state board OF health
should again call the attention of our
citizens TO the importance of ticking
such precautions as will render chem
and their families safe from its attaoks
Special inquiry instituted by this
board has shown that very large pro
portion of oGr people are ow WHOLLY
unprotected from small pox. Having
been for several years comparatively
free from this disease, many nave neg
lected to employ he oalg precaution
Iohich has euer get propel effective as q
safeguard against Il, 4. e.,
VACCINATION
Parents, forgetful of the danger thoy
were mourning, have put off the per-
Torrance of this operation upon their
children, and others who were vacciaa-
ted in early life have forgotten that the
protection then acquired may have
worn out with advancing years, ard
have neglected to assure themselves Of
its continued efficacy by re-vaccination,
and thus it has come about that we
unprotected individuals-th average
estimate of a great many observers
being that considerably more than one
third Of orr auhole papdlatioa Is Included
i7a this class. Under such circumstances
tins board feels called upon 20 renew
the warning given in its circular OF
February last, and to reiterate the be-
lief founded on the most indisputable
evidence that
SMALL PoX is PRE- EAiINENTLY A PRE-
VENTABLE DISEASE,
that we posse IS the means by which
we may confidently expect to keep it
from our homes and from our COM
munities, and that it never comes to
either, except as the means known to
be able to prevent it have been neg
lected. 1t can maintain continued
existence anywhere, only through the
ignorance or obstinacy of the people,
or the inefficiency or criminal neglect
of the local authorities.
Fully impressed with this belief, we
therefore urge upon the physicians
and upon all citizens of Wisconsin that
they give to the lawful health authori-
ties such moral and material support
as will enable them and compel them,
| in Difference to public opinion, to in
| stitute the OILY measures that will
protect us from s1ch prevalence
of the disease as now exists
| in other states with which we
are in constant communication, and
rom the enormous expense, the great
distress and consequent disaster which
we may surely expect in our own state
from this disease if we neglect the
means to prevent it. These means are
the thorough
VACCINATION OF EVERY PERSON
who has not already undergone that
operation and the equally thorough
REFRIGERATION
of all other persons upon whom it has
not recently and successfully been per
formed.
This Board has unequaled conf
dence in the protective power OF thor
ough vaccination. With very rare ex-.
ceptions all are susceptible Of its nfu-
ence, and with equally rare exceptions,
the protection secured by it Against any
form of variolous disease is perfect. To
secure this prorection, however, three
conditions must be carefully observed.
LIST. The Virus must be vigorous
and pure. Enfeebled on deterlorated
or improperly selected virus may pro-
duce spurious and wholly unprotecting
sores. At hest they give but an i'm
perfect development of the vaccine dis
ease, hence lead to feeling of false
security, and not unfrequently bring
unjust discredit upon the operation.
We recommend the use of BOVINE
VIRUS as being free from all objec-
tions, safe in all cases, producing the
maximum Of protective influence, and
being always available in any quantity
needed
End. The operation must be skill
fully and properly performed. The
careless and imperfect manner in
which Vaccination is often performed
and the utter lack of watchfulness of
the result, or knowledge as to whether
there has resulted genuine, typical
vesicle, is a grieyous mistake. The
operation should be conscientiously
| performed, and the DEVELOPMENT there
of carefully observed until it is known
to be protective 1t is mistake to
postpone vaccination until an epidem-
ic appears, for it may then be done
hastily and without opportunity to
watch properly its perfect develop
ment.
Sid. Re-vaccination should be fire.
quently practiced to test the returning
susceptibility of the system to the
Small Pox Contagion.
By strict and universal observance
of these rules we believe that Small
Pox epidemics and the fear of them
would cease to exist. To neglect these
precautions is to endanger not only the
life of him who neglects them but also
the lives Of those with whom he asso-
ciates. We believe there il no valid
excuse for such neglect.
With regard 10 re-vaccunation the
facts are, that q certain number of per-
sons are protected for life by one vac
cination, while the protection Of others
extends to but limited and variable
period. Hence as we are without
the power to distinguish between
these classes, re-vaccination is rs essen
tial as primary operation. 1t should
be performed at every season Of an
epidemic diffusion of the disease and
it is prudent to repeat it at interv ais of
few years even though no epid amic
prevails.
We earnestly recommend that Local
Boards of Health throughout the State,
take measures to secure the VAGINA
ton of all children in attendance upon
the public schools, who have not been
vaccinated within five years, and that
they use their influence to impress
this duty upon all citizens, and we ad.
wise as a MEASURE of wise economy
that this be done at public expense
wherever it may be necessary to insure
i,s thorough performance.
Should small pox unfortunately APP
pear in any community, we earnestly
recommend the adoption of the follow
ing rules
ISOLATION.
Thoroughly isolate and squarntine
every case that may occur, aand keep
it so isolated until all danger that the
disease can be communicated is past.
If the patients be kept in private
house it is better that the uppermCst
rooms of the house be used for the
purpose. Every person in the vicinity
should at once be vaccinated without
regard 10 previous operations.
In case of death, the funeral and
burial should be conducted with the
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