The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-02-08
About Vaccination.

most careful study OF statistics and OF
the opinions and experience of the most
acknowledged authorities, physicians
have come TO the positive conclusion
that smallpox Is capable of being en-
tirely eradicated from any community
by . proper and persistent system of
universal and repeated vaccination
From the year 1893, when Jenner an
nounced to the world his great discov-
cry, to the present time, facts have been
constantly accommodating for the eluci-
dation of the most universally accepted
truth ever demonstrated by the science
Of medicine, and that Is that vaccination,
when properly performed, is certain
and perfect protection against small
pox. DIR. Sayre referred to the malig-
nant epidemic of smallpox which pre-
vailed in Philadelphia in 1927, when but
one well-ascertained death from that
disease among $4,000 vaccinated per-
sons came to the knowledge of a COM
mittee of investigation. From 1901 to
1922 in Holstein 234, ,959 persons were
subjected TO vaccination, and during all
this period and for two years subse-
quently, only two cases of smallpox oc-
CURED. In the kingdom of Denmark
during the same period, only one indi-
vidual among 447,OOO vaccinated had
been attacked by modified variola; thus
showing that in q population of 6S2, ,564,
with the exception Of three cases, the
disease was entirely exterminated for
space of twenty.three years. Previous
20 the use of vaccination there died an
nually Of smallpox out of every million
in Westphalia during the years 1850,
2,64S, and during the thirty-five years,
from 1850 Cater vaccination was
adopted), the annual death rate from
the same disease was only ia. In Co
penhagen, the death rate from small
pox was 8, ,12S annually for every million
for many years, and after vaccination II
was only 2S6. In Berlin for twenty-five
years previous TO the general use of vac
cination the annual death rate by small
sequently 1t has been only $40. In
Sweden for tweuty-eight years preced-
ing the use of vaccination out Of every
million of the population there died from
smallpox annually 1850, and for forty
years after the use Of vaccination the
annual death rate by smallpox was only
15S of every million. This report was
presented to both houses of Parliament
by command of her Majesty, but it
carried on its face its own importance.
"Thus it Is seen," said the doctor,
that out of q, zoo, 900 people there
died annually of smallpox, previous to
vaccination, 81, Sol, and from the same
number of people there have died an
nually since vaccination was adopted
only 7,403, thus saving annually the
lives of IS, 45S persons, beside the relief
from physical suffering which those who
are afflicted with this terrible scourge
must necessarily endure. From all the
evidence we have been enabled to OBJ
tain we have reason to believe-in fact
we are almost positively certain-that
had the vaccination been perfect and
universal among these $4,000, 900 the
other 7,4oS could have been saved also.
Shall we 60 furthera Very well, then,
here goes. DR.. ]. G. Balfour, Surgeon
to the Royal Military Hospital at Chel
sea, in England, states that the SMALL
pox mortality Of the British navy has
not reached third, nor that of the
British army fourth, Of the London
rate, and he says shat in the experience
of the Royal Military Asylum for forty
eight years (within which time 5.774
boys have been received for training),
only four deaths by smallpox occurred,
and-mark this-these all in unvac-
cinated boys who were believed already
udN6 buhCk Ca rA41AA- POA DCA0AO OC-
coming inmates of the school,"
The doctor insisted that there should
be frequency of vaccination, until the
system has bean 30 thoroughly infected
with the vaccine poison that it will act
rs q permanent protection.
For the twenty years previous to 1862
the Prussian army presented an almost
entirely re-vsccinated population. One
hundred and four annual deaths by
smallpox was the last experience of the
former system; two annual deaths by
smallpox hes BEEN the average for the
re-vaccinated army. Since 1S4S revac-
cination has been compulsory in the
Bavarian army, and from that date up
to the date of the last report (185O, he
has noticed neither single death by
smallpox nor even o single case of un-
modified smallpox as having occurred
in that population. Many other statis-
tics from Sweden, Denmark, Baden,
and the British army could be cited
equally striking, proving conclusively
the absolute necessity for revaccination.
The Doctor closed his interview by
saying: ssIwould have such laws en-
acted as would properly enforce efficient
and universal vaccination; that it be re-
peated rs often as every five years until
the age of twenty one, and that ee-n
person should be compelled to nave q
certificate testifying the same, and which
should be renewed every fivg years until
twenty -one years Of age. It should also
be declared law that any Lthysician fail
| ing to report q case under his charge
| within twenty-four hours be fined 800.
| Every hotel-keeper or boarding house
keeper, or head of O family delinquent
in the same manner should be fined $50
In all the penal institutions and public
hospitals, and the State police, fremen,
State militia, and departments of the
government the law could be enforced
without much trouble or difficulty. Ev
cry family on engaging servant, every
merchant on hiring clerk, every cap
tain on shipping sailor, every manu-
facturer on employing mechanic, ev
cry officer on enlisting q recruit-ir
fact, every man and woman in the State
who employs or controls other men, wo
men, or children ought to compel the
applicants and those under them to ex
hibit certificate of vaccination properly
dated, and this could be carried through
all the different rami6cations of society
The attention of the community woulC
thus be fastened on this important sub
ject, and its beneficial effects would soor
be so apparent as to render no law
necessary for its continued enforcement
If these suggestions could be PRACTICAL,
carried into effect, 1 confidently believe
that in a few years at most we would
perfectly eradicate from our city thi
most disgusting and loathsom'
scourge."