The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-09-23
Small-Po

Smallpox is always the result of infection.
The specific poison which is the cause of the
disease is very actiye-a momentary exposure to
it will often result in producing smallpox in the
unprotected, and the vitality Of the infection,
under certain circumstances, is capable of being
preserved long time. The disease is danger
Gus and loathsome in the extreme, giving a
high death rate in the unyacinated, and hide
ously disfguring and manning those who out
live it.
The present generation from its own observa-
ton can have no adequate conception of the
terrible devastation which this disease caused
before the discovery of vaccinations, 1.-The
large cities onc-third of the deaths in children
under ten years came from small pox.
These facts will give some idea of the benefit
which has been conferred upon humanity by
vaccination. Without the protection which it
affords, nearly, if not quite, the olden, fearful
rate of mortality would, in generation or two,
be restored. Cleanliness and the observance OF
the general laws of health might avail a little,
but only little in restricting this disease, which
seems to have its being always in infection.
In community or town well and thoroughly
NaSeiuatSu tltlt houlu Ue no POSSIBILITY OF a
serious extension of small pox Neglect of
this protection has, even in recent years, some
times led to very disastrous and improbable
results, and such neglect Of vaccination in Mon
trea is at the present time imposing heavy
penalty on that city and its surrounding prov
nee; and st the same time seriously threatened
the New England States.
PREVENTION.
The all-important preventive measure is vac
! gtn at In ka Ia. faI.- 4.
ton, isolation and distinction must go hand in
hand.
Every child shonld pc vaccinated in its earli-
est years, preferably before six months of age
and in case of danger of infection the vaccina.
ton should be done at once no matter how
young the child is. Vaccination should be
done again before puberty, and better before
ten or twelve years of age. Afterwards yaccina.
should be tired as often as every six or seven
years, or oftener If the person is subjected tC
probable danger of smallpox con,agion.
Vaccination should be done only by compe.
tent physicians, and only with vaccine virus o
undoubred reliability and purity, otherwise {
sense of security is often felt when in fact pro
lection is not obtained.
In case OF the presence of smallpox immcdi
ate and careful vaccination should be made o
all persons who have not recently been so pro
teeted. Even after known exposure to the dis
ease, vaccination should be done any time be
fore the actual appearance of the eruption.
II done within two or three days after expos
ure 1t Will often prevent the disease, or make i
much lighter; and done later, there is reason t,
believe that even then it has salutary effect up
on the course of the disease.
When case appears, enforce Immediate,
street isolation and quarantine of the patient
and this should be continued for at least tw,
weeks after the recovery of the case, and afte
the crusts have all separated. When the pa
tent cannot be removed to a hospital, but mus
remain in private house, secure room, i
possible, on the uppeimost floor and remov,
from 1t all articles and furnishings which are no
absolutely necessary. For nurse have som,
person who has been recently and successful,
vaccinated or who has had the smallpox. Keel
all others away fIom the room. All other per
sons in the house or neighborhood should he vac
cinated immediately. In case of death the fu
neral should be strictly private and conducted
under the direction of the Board of Health
Health Officer, or the attending physician.