The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-01-22
N AND DEMOCRAT BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA
Precautions Against Small Pox in Penn
sylvania.

The following important circular,
issued by the State Board of Health,
contains suggestions of value to all.
In view of the epidemic of small pox
now raging with such fearful malig-
nifty in the Dominion of Canada, and
of the ease with which this loathe-
some disease could be transported in a
few hours, by direct railroad communi-
cation, into our cities and homes, tho
State Board of Health feels it to be its
imperative duty to issue certain sug-
gestions and regulations, compliance
with which will render our entire pop
ulation absolutely proof against the in
fection
PREVENTIVE PRECAUTIONS.
Vaccination is, of course, the one
and the only preventative Forum
ately, the people of this Common
wealth, are so generally well informed
and intelligent, that there is no reason
to apprebend repetition of ,he
disgraceful scenes of riot and blood
shed, which have Just been enacted
across the border, III the ignorant at
tempt to thwart the beneficial efforts
of the health authorities to check the
spread of the pestlence. But careless
ness and neglect may reap as baneful
a harvest as criminal opposition. Con
vinced of this, the hoard at its very
first meeting passed resolution in
structing the secretary TO prepare a
circular warning the people of this
State of the prime necessity of vaccl'
nation. Nothing is certain in this
but, next to the rising of the sun, moth
ing is.morc absolutely certain than the
fact that thorough vaccination, with
reliable lymph, repeated with sufficient
frequency, is sure preventative
against smallpox. Aud the fact next
in order of positiveness is, that careful
vaccination with pure lymph will con-
vey TO person susceptible of small
pox, the vaccine disease or cow-pox,
and no other disease. Hence, First.
1t is important that vaccination should
be performed by an educated physi-
elan, in order to determine that the
lymph used is pure and reliable, es-
pecially if taken from human being,
(humauized lymph) and that the vacci-
uation has thoroughly taken. Second.
ly; if bovine (beifer lymph is pre-
ferred, it should be obtained from an
entirely reliable source, in order that
it may be, (6rst,) free from all impuri-
ties, and, (secondly) lively and efficient
pREcAurIoN IN REGARD TO INFANTS.
Every infant should be vaccinated
within three months after its birth un'
less an educated physician advises tc
the contrary. Should the first attemp,
fail, it should be repeated at intervals
of fortnight until true sore is pro-
duced
PRECAUTIoN IN REGARD TO CHILDREN.
Every child should be re-vaccinateG
before it reaches its twelfth year.
No child should be allowed to enter
any school, public or private, Who'll has
not been vaccinated within the speci
fed time. The following rules are
recommended for adoption by all pub
lie school boards and trustees:
l. Every child entering the public
schools of. must give salts
factory evidence of protection against
smallpox, or be excluded until the
rule is complied with.
III. The fact of vaccination and pro
lection shall be entered with each
name on the school record and or
transfer or promotion lists.
III. Intercourse between the school
and family or house where there il
a case of small pox must be forbidden
until official permission is given.
~. Every school teacher or schoo
officer who discovers case of this
disease among the attendants on the
school must report the fact immediate
ly to the local Board of Health, or, il
there be no local Board, to The
State Board of Health.
Until the Legislature, expressly by
statute, confers this authority on schoo
boards, teachers or officers. the ordel
of this board is a sufficient sanctum
Boards deciding to exercise this powe
should pass a resolution to that effect
and post a notice for at least ten days
in two or more conspicuous places
within the limits of their respective
school board or district organizations
Such notice should offer free VAGINA
ton to all who are unable to pay.
| PRECAUTIONS IN REGARD TO ADULTS.