The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-12-20

board says that the order is issued In the
belief that it Is entirely feasible to make
smallpox of"w little effect as any extinct
epidemic of the middle ages,o and that the
first, and absolutely necessary step to this
end 10, to secure the general vaccination Of
children, so asto prevent the accumulation
of unprotected people as these grow up.
During the past fifteen years, 1857 to 1881,
both inclusive, out Of an aggregate Of 227,-
l13 individual scholars attending the pub
lie schools Of Chicago, there have appeared
only Is cases Of smallpox and variloid.
This immunity, it is claimed, is the direct
result ola requirement Of the health depart
ment of that city, the enforcement of which
was begun in 1867, and by which, evidence
of successful vaccination is made condi-
ton precedent to admission to any Chicago
public school.
Smallpox is now widespread through
all the northern states from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, and is causing profound anxiety
at the manifestations Of its epidemic ten
dency. To some extent this is due to the
recent enormous immigration; but it is I'M
doubleday true that the neglect Of vaccina-
ton among our own people has also much
to do with the present alarming disposition
to spread of the disease. This emergency,
therefore, seems to offer favorable OPP
portunity for inaugursting in the state at
large measure which has proved so signal
ly successful in its chief city.
A well-founded "prejudice" in the pub
lie mind has been caused by the long-hu-
manized virus. Such virus is open to two
objections: First, and most important, the
deteriorationin vigor caused by the trans
mission of virus through numerous human
beings hence, imperfect protection and
| frequent cases of smallpox among those
80 vaccinated; and, second, the danger
(real or supposedly Of conveying other dis
ease by such virus. Both these objections
are fully met by the use of bovine virus
from approved propagators.
Physicians are furnished by the board
| with full set Of Instructions for making
out the scholars vaccination certificate,
and school authorities are also fully in
structed as to their duties in the enforce
msnt Of the order. 1t is suggested that
much of the success of this effort to pro-
tect the children from a loathsome pesti-.
lence, will depend upon the wisdom, firm
ness and intelligent action Of the school
authorities. Timely notification and ex-
PLANTATION will save much unnecessary fric-
ton, and exact information and instruc-
ton will soon dispel ignorant opposition.
1t only needs that the public be rightly in
formed to secure cheerful cooperation.
All inquiries will be promptly answered
from the Office Of the state board Of health,
and every available facility will be afford
ed for meeting emergencies. 1t ID not de-
sired, except as q last resort, 10 arbitrarily
enforce this measure; at the same time II
should be clearly understood that the re-
quirements will be enforced.
Those whose duty it is to see that the
order of the state board is carried out in
this city should give especial attention tc
the colored population in the city; be.
cause, as rule, the colored people have a
strong superstitious fear of vaccination
and win not submit themselves to it unless
compelled to. For this reason this terrible
disease usually attacks the colored people
with fearful fatality when il once breaks
out among them. Cairo with her large
colored population needs to be extraordi-
narily careful. ers