Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-04
IMMUNITY FROM SMALLPOX.
In Youth Does Not Insure
Safety in Maturity.

From Harper's Weekly.
The human body furnishes the only SOIL
so far as known, on which the germs of
smallpox can multiply and retain their
vfrulence. Vaccination renders the body
no longer habitable for the germs IT,
therefore, the entire race could be given
immunity through vaccination, time being
allowed for the destruction of such unpro-
ductive germs as had found temporary
Judgment elsewhere than in the body,
smallpox would cease to exist. Its last
germ killed, there is no more reason to
suppose that 1t would ever originate again
than there is to expect the temperance Of
the great aux, the mammoth or the glyp-
todon. In theory such an achievement
might require but month or a year, but
in reality a century has not accomplished
1t.
The chief reason why vaccination has
failed of this ultimate ideal achievement
is-paradoxical though it sounds-because
vaccinated has operated so efficiently So
nearly has it banished smallpox that no
one now fears that disease. and a gen.
eral carelessness prevails regarding it. No
better commentary in this regard could be
made than mention of the fact that two
physicians recently contracted the disease
in New York from case which came to
a dispensary where they were in attend
ance. If physicians fail to give themselves
immunity, what shall we expect Of the
public at large.
The other chief factor which co-operates
with careleSsness to keep smallpox in
existence Is ignorance. So little is small
poX heard or now that many among the
more ignorant classes scarcely know the
meaning OF vaccination. Health officers
md many persons who suppose they are
being vaccinated to cleanse the blood" 1t
does not matter much what they think
perhaps, so long as they submit to the ope-
ration. But many decline the boon, and
these, Of course, remain susceptible to the
disease. Our laws offer protection to ALL
but force IL upon no one. Abroad, in many
places, vaccination Is compulsory a fine
imposed II any child Is found unvaccina-
ted at a certain age. The result thus
aimed at is accomplished in this country
In more pleasant way, by prohibiting
unvaccinated children from attendance
upon the public schools. This measure,
together with the constant solicitations Of
health officers. results in the vaccination
or very large proportion of infants
But vaccination in infancy is not enough
1t gives immunity for a time, but with
growth the tissues change and after a few
years the body becomes again susceptible
REORGANIZATION must be practiced when the
child is six seven years old. and again
during adolescence. Even this third vac
c1nation does not always give protection
throughout life. Immunity should be test
ed every few years by repeated yaccina-
tions. and only persons who have submit
ted to this test within few years past ca n
at any time feel fully assured that thew
are lnsusceptible to smallpox. Not alone
the ignorant, but many people of fnte,Ii-
gence, suppose that SO long as the scar of
a previous vaccination appears they are
immune. and with confidence born Of this
delusional belief. go about the world al
most as susceptible to smallpox as If they
had been yaccinatp5