The Baltimore County union., 1883-12-08
VACCINATION.
DR.. Fahnestock's opinion of It's Emoao,

DR.. Fahnestock's opinion OF It's Emcacy.
From hs Lancaster IHistiiysBcer.
AS many of my Southern friends have
requested me to write an article upon
vaccination, do SO now, with the view
Of eliciting the truth, not the opinion
Of others.
am aware that there is great opposi-
tion in Europe, aS well as in this coun-
try, to the use OF the COW or kline pock,
because many believe, and have reported
hospital cases, where diseases have been
introduced into the system of those
who were vaccinated. have but little
time, and less inclination to discuss the
topic PRO or fo1, and will simply state
facts, of what know in regard to il.
My father, DIR. Samuel Fahnestock,
commenced to vaccinate some years be-
fore ! was born CISo+,) and continued
to do so as long as he lived, or until
1896, some thirty.years Afterwards
During that time, he kept a regular ac-
count. name and date Of all the per-
sons that he vaccinated, lover a thous-
and) and often heard him say, that
of all the cases recorded, not one had
taken the genuine small pox, but that
some few cases. towards the end of his
life, had taken the varialoid, which
seldom left any pits or scars.
He was exceedingly careful not to
vaccinate any one who had the least
eruption on their body or disease Of
any kind, and only used matter that
was freshly taken from the arms of
children that he knew were healthy,
and free from hereditary tain,s. have
practised medicine and vaccinated ever
since the spring of rSs5, some fifty
eight years-and my experience accords
with that of my father.
was myself vaccinaied nine times
before took the disease and have been
re-vacci ,a,ed often since, but never
took the disease second time, and as
] have been exposed. as physicians
generally are, TO all stages OF the dis
case, with impunity, vaccination must
have been OF some use, and il cannot
be denied that millions have been pro.
tcctcd by the same remedy. Under
the circumstances, therefore, the ques.
tion naturally arises, are we to abandon
a remedy that promises protection from
so dreadful 4 disease rs smallpox, be-
cause some persons have suffered and
died of diseases that more and likely
have been caused by neglecting the
necessary remedies.
am aware that diseases may be COM
municated by vaccination. Careless
ness or unclean lancet, or foul matter
OF any kind, introduced under the skin,
may produce diseases, which, although
not of specific nature, may be equally
pernicious.
Many diseases and deaths have, no
doubt, been laid at the door of vaccina-
ton when they in truth, were the result
OF other causes. Indeed, there are
many causes that produce disease out
side Of vaccination, that have been
ascribed to il.
Exposure to sudden changes OF heat,
cold or dampness, rs well as to certain
conditions of the mind. Fear has
powerful influence. A case in point
occurred some years ago to my certain
knowledge, in that of gentleman who
was very much afraid of smallpox-who
took the disease perfectly upon being
told that child Con the opposite side
Of the street who had died OF measles,)
had died of smallpox. This terrified
him so that he took chill and fever.
followed by all the symptoms OF genu
inc smallpox, although there was not a
case Of disease in the city, nor within
a hundred miles OF it. The gentleman
was much pitted and still bears the
marks Of the disease. II, therefore,
the mind through fear can produce a
specific disease like smallpox or cholera,
which has often taken place. what may
it not effect in the case OF other dis
eases1
With respect to re vaccination have
but to remark, that if it has been prop
erly done once, and the pustule been
perfect and well defined, the protection
will be perfect as possible, and at the
most, varialoid can only take place.
WM. BAKER FAHNEsToCK, NJ. ID.