The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-11-18
UNCLE SANS vAoCuNAroR.
Iaughable Scenes Witnessed ON q
train from Canada.


Scenes on the trains from Canada
into the United States during the
smallpox epidemic in the Dominion,
saws Mr.. VIM. Wilson, of Allegheny.
who has Just returned from an ex-
tended tour, were very amusing on
account Of the objections OF passen-
gers to summary vaccination MI.
Wilson, like many others, was made
a subject for the lance before cross
ing the lines, by an examining ply
sician. whose business it was to ex-
anime all passengers bound for the
United States, with view to the
vaccination of all the unvaccinated.
He gives very graphic description
of some OF the laughable things he
witnessed. The doctor, beginning
with the first passenger in the smok-
ing car at the foremost end of the
train, confronts him with the brief
and pointed query, Been vaccinat-
ed 2" II the answer is yes, the next
question is, Got a cerrficate?"
Unless this can be produced the
individual is compelled to show his
arm, when, unless there is fresh
scar, the passenger is obliged to
again undergo the operation or leave
the train. Down into his vest pock-
ct goes the doctor, produces a little
tin box in which he keeps the
points, /" off comes the lid, out come
the ivory points, in moment a tiny
drop of blood appears on the sur
face, the vaccine is moistened by
the breath, the matter rubbed off
upon the lacerated part and the job
is done.
Having finished with the passen-
gers in the smoking car, the next
car, filled almost entirely with la
dies, is visited by the doctor. Here
begins the fun; those tight-ftting
sleeves cannot be pulled up, and
mayhap the certificate has been left
at home yes, it has; honor bound,
and only two weeks ago, the lady
declares, she was vaccinated by DIR.
b, of Montreal. She will have the
doctor send a certificate to the ex-
amining physician. No. that won't
do, and the law must be complied
with. A tug at the tightly-htting
Jersey sleeve, another determined
pull, and the arm is barred nearly to
the elbow. THAT will do" said the
doctor. Out comes the little knife
and points, and thirty seconds later
the doctor passes ON. and the lady
sinks back in her seat with defiance
flashing from her eye, and inwardly
vowing that she will get even with
that borrid man if she lives long
enough.
II would not lie to you, sir, in
deed ! would not, sir, says pref
ty, brown-eyed damsel, Il have been
vaccinated," and the eyes become
moistened and the cheeks quiver
as with suppressed emotion. But
the old doctor was obdurate. Busi-
ness is business, and his business is
to see that no one who is not prop
erly vaccinated, whether male or fe-
male. leaves Canadian for United
States territory. Pretty or ugly, it
is all the same 10 MIN.
"Sorry, madam, but | can't help
it; either let me see your certificate
or your arm" She sees no sign of
relenting in the doctors face. Again
she tries:
1t was Just little while ago in
deed it was doctor. | can't show you
my arm here. Can't you believe
me ?"
No: the doctor cannot, and will
not The girl sees it is no use, and
reluctantly begins tugging at her
waist. Down it comes from the
neck, the left shoulder is exposed,
then the arm. The doctor, evident
ly, is not satisfied.
when were you yaccinated ?"
Two years ago"
Scar is not fresh enough" says
the doctor, and again out comes the
scarifier and the vaccine. A scratch
and scream, but the physician is not
daunted and continues the work,
very gently, but with the air of a
man who thoroughly understands
his business.
There, that will DO, he says, and
the girl, replacing he wardrobe, sinks
back in her seat, while the doctor,
passing on, is heard to remark:
"She had never been vaccinated."