Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-07
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

Vaccination as "a Preventive Of Smallpox
To the Editors of the Memphis Appeal:
Although smallpox has existed from time
immemorial yet there can be found in every
community great deal OF ignorance in re- 4
gard to it. 1t is fact that any person in
this city who has been successfully vaccina-
ted can visit a case of smallpox with the
same degree of safety and impunity as the
physician who treats the patient, and yet
they even avoid the street upon which they
see yellow flag. There is great deal of
foolish and groundless fear in regard
to coming in contact with any one who
has visited case of smallpox, and
vet it has been demonstrated again
and again in instances beyond easy COM
putation that such fears are without any
foundation. In the epidemic of 1873 and at
all other times it has been the practice of
the physicians in this city and elsewhere to
visit smallpox patients the same day and the
same hour, and that without any change of
clothing, and yet there is not well -authenti-
Gated instance in which they carried the dis
ease to other patients or TO their own fami-
lies. The clothing of a smallpox patient
will retain the contagious influences for a
long time if it is kept closely confined in
boxes or chests, but it is destroyed
dissipated upon exposure to the air.
We presume that the physician who treated
Sullivan did not take the precaution to
change his clothing, after seeing him; and
yet we do not hear of his having commune
Gated the disease to other patients or to his
own family. Thousands of persons were
visited in this city in 1873 by physicians
who just left smallpox patient, and yet
there was not even a case that was charged
to this source. Again, many persons
believe the disease only contagious at certain
stages, and yet there is plenty OF evidence to
show that it is contagious from its inception
TO its end though it is considered most
contagious during the stage of suppuration
Many persons believe that physicians carry
something about them to protect them from
the influence of the disease. Such thought
is very childish. Physicians have, like the
rest OF mankind, to depend upon vaccination
for their protection, and any one who knew
more powerful agent than vsccina-
ton would gladly immortaliza himself
Jenner did by giving his knowledge to the
world instead of >selishly keeping it for his
own benefit. Medical authors give the dBra-
ton OF this disease as follows: The first
fever, before the eruption, from two to four
days; the eruption is generally complete in
five days; the stage OF suppuration -FOUR
or five days, and the drying-up
stage from six to ten days-making
the duration of the disease altogether
from seventeen to twenty-four days Authors
also speak of smallpox fever without any
eruptions, the person being 80 nearly pro-
tected by vaccination as to prevent the dis
ease from going through its regular stages.
Many persons ask, ought anyone to be
reyaccinated, provided they have a
good scar? This is too simple to talk
about 1t is well known that some
persons are very susceptible to any contagious
disease, so as TO have smallpox twice
and, it is alleged, even third time. How
do you know but that you are one of the
susceptible ones? And in order to avoid the
small amount OF trouble and expense con-
nected with vaccination, will you risk con-
tracing this loathesome, dangerous disease?
Why, you would not even have single pit
upon your face for the price you have to pay
for being vaccinated. Physicians in some
instances advise their friends 10 remove their
families from house when the adjoining
building is infected with smallpox In the
first place, where would they find place OF
safety? The same disease might appear near
them in twenty four hours after removal;
and thus they might be kept on the move ali
the time. But, in the second place, where is
the necessity OF changing homes. Suppose
some one were to find a case of smallpox
near the physicians house, and advise him
to move. Why, sir, he would reply, am
not afraid of the disease; | treat it every
day. Well, what protects you against it,
doctor? Why, nothing but vaccination.
Well, have the very same protection, and
all my family have; why should \ move?
What reply the physician would make we
are unable to conjecture. PHYSICIAN.