The Helena independent., 1893-11-21
VACCINATION AND SMALLPOX.
Jenner's Great Discovery and the Results
WhicI, II Has Accumulated.

Jenner's Great Discovery and the Results
which 1t Has Accomplished.
II the truth were known. it would prob
ably appear that vaccination has not Rc-
complished all that Jenner hoped for 1t.
Seeing his discovery so universally accept
ed at the outset, seeing 1t nip epidemics
Of smallpox in the bud and so vastly re-
duce the mortality within few years, he
would have been strangely unimag1native
had he mob dreamed of day when vacci-
nation should so fully have triumphed as
to have banished smallpox from the world
forever. In theory such hope found
ample warrant. The human body fur
nishes the only soil, so far as known, on
which the germs Of this disease can null
tiply and retain their virulence Vacci-
nation renders the body no longer habita-
Bile for these germs. II therefore the entire
race could be given immunity through
vaccination, time being allowed for the
destruction Of such unproductive germs
as had found temporary lodgment else
where than in the body, smallpox would
cease to exist. Its last germ killed, there
Is no more reason to suppose that it would
ever originate again than there is to ex-
pect the 'reappearance of the great awk,
the mammoth or the glyptodon. In theory
such all achievement might require but
month or year, but in reality century
has not accomplished 1t.
The chief reason why vaccination has
failed Of tdis ultimate ideal achievement
is. psradoxical though it sounds, because
vaccination has operated SO efficiently.
So nearly has 1t banished smallpox that
no one now fears that disease, and gen.
eral carelessness prevaiS regarding it,
No better commentary III ehis regard could
be made than mention of the fact that two
recently contracted the disease
in New York from a case which came to
a dispensary where they were in attend
anoe. Ii physicians fail to give themselves
immunity, what shall we expect Of the
public at larges
The other chief factor which co-operates
with carelessness to keep smallpox in ex-
istence Is ignorance. So little is smallpox
heard Of now that many among the more
ignorant classes scarcely know the mean
ing Of vaccination. Health officers find
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 operation.
But many decline the boon, and these Of
course remain susceptible to the disease.
Our laws offer protection to all, but force
it upon no one. Abroad in many places
vaccination is compulsory, fine being
imposed if any child is found unvacci-
mated at a certain age The result thus
aimed at is accomplished in this country
in a 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 vaccina-
ton of a very large proportion of infants.
But vaccination in infancy is not enough.
It gives immunity for a time, but with
growth the tissues change, and after few
years the boIy becomes again srIscepti-
BILE. Revaccination must be practiced when
the child is or Z years old and again dur
ing adolesc nee. Even this third vaccina-
ton does not always give protection
life. Immunity should be
tested every few years by repeated vacci
nations, and only persons who hava.sub-
nitted to this test within q few years past
can at any time feel fully assured that
they are insusceptible to smallpox. Ig-
of this fact is most potent in CIV
ing smallpox a hold upon the community.
Not alone the ignorant, but many people
Of intelligence, suppose thGt 80 long as the
scar of previous vaccination appears
they are immune, and with confidence
born Of this delusional belief 20 about
5he world almost as susceptible to small
ooX as If they had never been vaccinated.
For such persons chiefly the present words,
With their obvious moral are intended
darper's Weekly.