Democratic messenger., 1882-09-16
State Board OF Health.

A special meeting of the State Board
of Health was held i'll Baltimore last
Friday. The proceedings so to show
that the Boaid is somewhat alarmed
about the spread of small pox, especi-
ally in Baltimore city. Among others,
the following resolution was adopted
Z" Resolved, That the care of the
public health in particular sections of
the several counties of this State prop
erly belongs primarily TO the local au-
thorites thereof, and this board has no
duty to perform in connection with
cases of pestilential disease, mot amount
ing TO an epidemic, in such localities,
except to give counsel as to the meas
ures which ought TO be taken to pre-
vent the wide spreading of such dis
eases. In pursuance of the above res
olution DR.. Chancellor carefully pre-
paled circular which though more
thorough, is pretty much the same adj
vice as similar paper con tanned last
winter and of which our Board of com
mssionerS had and have numerous
copies in their office. The last circu
lar is dated Sept. Sth, 1882. We will
only quote portion thereof that the
public may judge of the wide differ
ence in the repressive measures advised
and those followed by the commission
ers: Whenever there is prevalence or
threatening of smallpox, it is of more
than common Importance that the ut
most vigilance should be observed, and
that all powers conferred upon authorl-
ties should be promptly and rigidly
exercised. 1t is by vaccination and
isolation that the spread of small pox
can most efcctually be prevented or
restrained, and therefore the authorities
of any city, town or district into which
a case may be brought, or in which it
NAV occur, should Immediately see that
all requisite measures IN regard 10 vac
cmation and isolation be taken, and
disinfection of infected houses and
things be adopted. Any extension Of
the disease from the house first infected,
or any fresh importation Of it needs TO
be dealt with in the same way and as
from the extreme in!ectiouSEess OF the
disease every new case is fresh source
OF danger, it is of the first importance
towards preventing the spread of the
disease that the necessary measures
should be taken in each case at the
earliest moment possible. All persons
suffering from smallpox and 50 lodged
;hat the isolation of them from healthy
persons cannot he secured without
their removal, should be removed to
some special hospital or place for the
reception for the sick. Authority
should be exercised over the house
where the disease exists or has existed,
and also with regard TO the bodies OF
persons who die OF small poX. Often
! it is better, instead of diSinfecting in
fected articles, such as bedding and
clothing, TO destroy them by burning.
In addition TO these provisions, special
measures should be taken to expedite
the vaccination OF all unvacciuated per
sons in the district, and to promote
the evaccination of adults and adobe
scents, who have not already been sue
cessfuily re-vaccinated. At times when
the disease is epidemic first and special
attention should be given to the part-
cular localities in which the infection
exists; and in such locality in which
the infection exists the utmost cxertiors
should be made to obtain the prompt
vaccination Of all children or other
persons who are unprotected by vac
cination. For this purpose inquiries
from house TO house vii. be indispcnsa-
bic. With regard 10 unyaccinated
children not yet three m2nths Old, who
may be in infected localities, the pa
rents should be advised not to incur
the unnecessary risk of waiting for the
child to complete that age before hav-
ing it vaccinated; for vaccination is
perfectly well borne by children even
Immediately after birth.