The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-02-02
The UaaIfh Ordinance

Alderman Bennett will undoubtedly
ask the repeal of that section of the health
ordinance relating TO compulsory yaccin'
alton at the council meeting again this
evening. There is no reason why every
alderman should not be thoroughly cons
versant with the subject and vote intelli>
gently.
The ARGUS trusts that the present
health ordinance will not be tempered
with, as the repeal of the compulsory
vaccination section would be blow at the
protection against a small pox epidemic,
which is now in force. The best medical
talent in the United States, whose views
on this subject were recently publishcijn
the ARGUS, agree with Health Commits
siOnCr Craig that vaccination is Of vital
Importance in all small poX cases. 1t is
intended that the ordinance shall. be en-
forced only in case Of an epidemic, and as
preCaution against the wholesale spread
of the disease. The old adagc says that
IAN ounce Of prevention is better than a
pound of cure, and in the case of small
pox it can be used with double force.
Some persons opposed vaccination be-
cause they presumed the operation would
necessarily be performed by Il physician
appointed for that purpose, and that they
would not be allowed the privilege Of Sc
lccting their own physician. This is an
erroneous idea, but one argued with
some success 10 their cause by
the Observation-Disclosures. Among the
authority against vaccination quoted by
the Rock Islander few weeks since was
the list of officers Of the New England
Anti Compulsory VaCcinatio IN League, at
the head of which is J. Dobson, NJ. D.,
professor of physiology, pathology and
hygiene in the United States Medical col
lege, New York. Now we take it that
this United States Medical college Of New
York is not a college of very high stand
ing, from the fact that: DR.. Craig, who
pursued his studies in Philadelphia, never
heard Of it; ditto, DR.. Carter, who was a
student in New York City, where the col.
lege is said to exist and that in the recent
entire list of practicing physicians in Hi.
nois, not one of them graduated from this
great institution.
DR., Dwight Stowe, of Fall River, Mass,
is also cited. DR.. Craig, has received a
circular from James E. Sullivan, city
physician of that place, who answers:
What is your opinion regarding the
statements and statistics furnished by
characterization s ocieties?' as follows
Consider statistics furnished on vacci
nation by the great continental almie'
more reliable and conclusive. Three years
ago / treated "a cases with but two
deaths-a minister and his daughter. lie
would not be vaccinated himself nor per-
nit his children to be. Vaccination is
now compulsivc on all attending school
We have not had case since.
The clergyman who wouldn't be vacci-
mated or allow his daughter to be. wal
undoubtedly influenced by DIR. Stowe
the anti -vaccinationist.
But look what the result of the anti
compulsory vaccination theory might be
Suppose family living in the center o
a large business block should be afflicted
with small pox, and the members SHOULD
rtfase TO be vaccinated The d;seas
would spread, and the business interest
of that section of the city would prObabl,
be crippled for six months or longer. lie
the aldermen seriously consider this 9ues
ton when they walk in to the council
chamber this evening.