The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-25
SANITARY SUBJECTS.
Latest Order from Secretary
Rauch.
Compulsory Vaccination not
Required.

The following circular, issued by DIR.
John Rauch, secretary of the State Board
of Health, will explain itself:
| OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,
| SPRINGFIRLD, ILL, March, 1882.
| At the annual meeting of the State
| Board of Health, held in Chicago, March
2-3, 1882, the subject of the vaccination
of public school children being under con-
sideration, the secretary called attention to
the suggestion in his informal report as to
the propriety of the board considering
whether any modification of the school
vaccination order was necessary of expedi-
ent, and if so, in what respect. He stated
| that while the order had been very gener
ally complied with, and the results obtain
ed had fully jutified the wisdom and time
| illness of this action of the board, there
| were
CERTAIN FACTS
and conditions which seemed worthy of
attention. There are briefly as follows:
|. The winter has been an unusually open
one. and in many portions of the state the
country roads have been, and still are, al
most impossible, while the high water in
many localities adds to the difficulty. All
this causes much labor snd expense, both
to vaccinating physicians and to parents,
which will be avoided as the roads dry up
and the weather becomes settled.
The unusual demand for virus has made
it impossible to procure supply in many
localities.
There is among many a bias for vacci-
mating in April, May of June,-a preference
which may very properly be deferred to.
From the climatic conditions of this state
I'll he I'd in1 faU
orable than the winter and early spring.
There is then less risk of complications
from sudden changes of temperature and
other causes.
The measure has been a very radical and
sweeping one. Some time must be allowed
for education in such cases. Prejudices
and opposition, (Which, of course, the
Board may, and which it would be its duty
in an emergency to, disregard, will large
ly disappear if time be granted for refiec
ton, discussion and information.
The immediate sanitary necessity which
dictated the enactment of the order in
November last does not now exist. The
disease is declining in the state at large.
In view of all these considerations,
THE QUESTION PRESENTS ITSELF:
viii it not be wise and profitable to sus-
pend the enforcement of penalties for non
compliance until such time as the vast
mass of data now being accumulated can
be digested, an accurate view of the results
already obtained be had, and the best
course determined upon to make the order
permanent and fully operative with the
least friction and hardship.
At the conclusion of the Secretary's |
the board
Ordered, That the Secretary be author /
lied to take such steps as, in his judgment, |
may be necessary to secure the completion |
of the work of full protection of the
school children of the State against small !
pox; which disease still exists to some
extent, and is liable again to become pre-
valent SO long as the enormous immigra
ton continues, and while any considerable
number of persons remain unprotected in
any community.
SUGGESTIONS.
In pursuance of the above authorization
it is desired to learn from school authori-
ties,-County Superintendent School
directors and Teachers,--their views as to
the most feasible plan by which to secure
a completion of the work. Suggestions as
to extension of time, with reasons therefor;
details of difficulties encountered; and any
other information, based on experience, will
be cordially received.
LATEST ORDER.
For the present, however, and until the
jSInunlgation of further orders, the exclu-
sion OF children not yet vaccinated need
not be insisted upon,
EXCEPT IN LOCALITIES WHERE SMALLPOX
NOW EXISTS,
Dr. where it may hereafter occur. In such
localities the provisions of the vaccination
order must be rigidly enforced.
No child not properly protected against
smallpox, as such protection is defined in
said order must be allowed to attend pub
ic school in any place where there is small
box. 1t is the duty of the health authori-
les, as well as of the school directors, to
.xclude all such unprotected children