The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-28
very respectfully,
G. G. CRAIG, NJ. D.
Commissioner Of Health

Commissioner of Health.
The question was brought to a vote,
but there was a misunderstanding as to
whether the vote was upon the repeal of
the section or upon taking it up for cons
sidoration. No change was made IL the
ordinance, however,
In the next issue Of his seventh day re
hash old DaLforth heaped TRADE of
abuse upon Commissioner Craig, and cited
numerous authorities who favored anti,
vaccination. Some of them were so ''re>
nowped that they have never been heard
of, and the supposition is that old Dan.
made their acquaintance when he served
as purser in the navy. In order to refute
the charges made against his skill and
experience as physician (Which, con
sidcring the source from whence it emf
mated. we think was unnecessary DR..
Craig sent the following circular to the
health officers of different large cities
through ont The United States:
CITY OF Rock ISLAND,
OFFICE or COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH
Rock ISLAND, H., Jan. Is, 1SS5.-Dear
Sir: I am endeavoring to collect. for the
use Of the city council Of Rock Island ILL.,,
the opinions of all health officers in the
different states, and in cities Of over 20,
900 inhabitants, upon the pFopriety Of
vaccination Your views are earnestly
solicited. Yours respectfully,
G. G. CRAIG, NJ. D,
Commissioner Of Health,
QUESTIONS.
l. Is it advisable to rely. wholly, upon
isolation and quarantine in the manage
ment Of small pOX epidemics2
.. Do YOU believe that vaccination will
protect an individual against an attack of
small pox?
?. To what extent have evil results fol.
lowed vaccination IN your experience?
a. Would the evil results, sometimes
charged to vaccination, cause you to hes
itate to recommend it in case Of small poX
epidemics!
s. What is your Cpirion regarding the
statements and statistics furnished Uy
characterization societies?
Blank lines were left for remarks and
space for the signature.
Upto date DR.. Craig has received a bout
scyentyfvc answers to the questions from
the most eminent men in the medical
profession, and he has placed them on
file al the city clerks Office, where they
can be perused by the general public.
The unanimiiy Of opinion by these emf
nent men on the question of vaccination
proves conclusively hat r. Craig's the
ory is correct Some of the answers are
most emphatic. and declare that anti-vac-
cination societies are generally com
posed of cranks, whose opin-
ions are not worth noticing. This
indorses the prevailing opinion in regard
TO old Danforth, and We are sorry that
Alderman Bennett has associated himself
with him in this matter
The answer to question one is geneT-
ally abbreviated to simply mo-" ant
question two by yes
No. 3. The majority of answers repor
no evi, resulting from vaccination, but
some report temporary bad results.
No. 4. "No." Some very emphatic
No. 8. This question defines the pc
sition taken by Danforth and Bennett
more clearly than any other, and in til
hope of showing their grevious error W
append few of the many answers:
Syracuse, N Y: Not worth reading
except as curiosities.
New Haven, Conn. That they are tb
products of the i'll regulated minds of az
itators and "cranks" who seek a chear
notoriety.
CINCINNATI, Ohio: Would place yer,
little reliance upon any such general,
furnished by cranks
Allegheny, Pa. That they are un-
founded, unfair aud misleading.
Evansville, Ind: They cannot be reliet
upon.
St. Paul, MINI. Negative.
Omaha, Neb: They do not correspon'
with my experience of over thirtytw'
years of active practice, during which
time treated large number of small POI
cases.