The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1882-01-19

EDITORS JouRNAL--As small pox is now
prevailing as an epidemic through our country,
is it not highly advisable and proper that all
persons should avail themselves Of the safe
guard of vaccination Its efficacy in mitiga
Ting the severity and danger Of the disease IL u
fact beyond doubt The disease in vaccinated
persons, which follows exposure to the contag.
ion of small pox. ia much milder and shorter,
ant unaecompanied by secondary fever, which
il the critical stage OF true small pox. Even to
those who have been vaconated, the question
arises, whether the protecting influence of vac
cnation upon the human body dminishes by
lapse Of lime or wears out, the evidence shows
that sometimes at least il does in other words
whether the repetition Of the operation OF vac
cinatiOn renews or adds to the security against
small pox it certainly does ~ careful statistics
have expressed. Mr.. Simon shows that dur
ing the five years; 1887. though small pox
infection had been sixteen times imported into
different regiments of the army of Wirtenburg.
there had ensusd among the Ia 3S4 revaccinated
soldiers, one single instance only of modified
small pox. Further evidence in Prussia Gas in
Wirenburg) the practice Of revaccination grew
out ofIhe knowledge that small poX would at
tack certain proportion Ofthose who had been
vaccinat.d only in infancy during the ten
years preceding 1881, cases of post VAGINAL
small pOx were Increased in number and fatal
ty. aud within the three years 1878, there
had occurred no fewer than BIZ deaths by small
pox Far the last twenty years the Prussian
army has represented an almost entirely revae-
clnnated population And what has been the
contrast l04 annual deaths by small pox
was the last experience of the former system;
Two annual deaths by small pox has been the
average for the revaccinated army.
Ana narrower the iOltV fatal
Of small pox which during the last twenty
wears have occurred in the Prussiau army, we
hnd that only tour Of the members were OF per
SONS who, il il said had been successfully re
yaccinated Mr.. Mavson. the resident sur
oeon to the small pox and vaccination hospital.
London holds that ~ matter OF safrty, II IL
well for all persona who were vacclnated IN
infancy to ID Fevacciuated al puberty, this
measure being more especially requisite Tor
those who have 10 cicairix remaining ~
appears from the official tables published IN
der the autb GRITTY OF the Register General vide
Watson mat no less ,han one fo#rth IN % per
cent of the whole mortality from small pox in
Engluxds and w ales happens in infants less
than one year DID," These facts proclaim the
Necessity uf early yaccination Certainly II
should never be. del yeL except underspt clal
circumstances of excuse Beyond the third or
fourth month. Vaccination TO be properly and
safely accomplished ~ u protection depends
greatly on the cl,ai acter Of the virus used. thai
earliest removed from the COW is the most -
cure. DIR Gregory gives as evidences ihaa vac,
cine lymph by passing through the bodies OF
many persons loses in process Of time some a.
seuiiaI part OF its activity Again much de,
ponds upon the want Of care in the selection ei
The lymph 10 be ;ransmitied Lymph for use
Ia In its best state on the seventh day OF the
progress of the vesicIe. Under no circum
stances should il be taken for later than
twenty-fouF hours after the arsola has begun to
form ' 1
With this view of the Importance of vaecina
| ton aud revaccination rs modification, 1t not
| preventative OF that most loathsome OF all
Diseases, II ave persons 70 jadge Of its impor
tal.ce. There II 4 Jaw ofcompnision NJ regard
| TO vaccination, but to use the language OF the
| report OF committee OF the EtideIpivloelcal
| Society, viz . Though il may BE- doubtful bow
Ear in this free country, il Is ustihshle 70 eoisl
nj person to take care of his own life, or
thai Of his Offspring. IL can scarcely BE- disput'
ed that no person has right to put IN jeopardy
lives Of his teiiQvgsueiects. .,..g al. az. Y
4a<@s1np 49, ~