The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-01
VACCINATION AND SMALLPOX.
Immunftys from the Disease Has
Created False Security.
Harper's Weekly.

> weekly.
If the truth were known it would prob
ably appear that vaccination has not ac-
complished all that Jenner hoped for IT.
Seeing his discovery so universally accept
ed at the outset seeing il nip epidemics OF
smallpox in the bud, and vastly reduce
the mortality within a few years. he would
nave been strangely un!maginative had ne
not dreamed or day when vaccination
should so fully have triumphed as 10 have
banished smallpox from the world forever.
In theory such hope found ample war
rant, The human body furnishes the only
soil, so far as known, on which the germs
OF this disease can multiply and retain
their virulence. Vaccination renders the
body no longer habtable for these germs
II, therefore, the entire race could be given
Immunity through vaccination. time being
allowed for the destruction of such unpro-
ductive germs had found temporary
lodgment elsewhere than in the body. small
pox would cease to exist. Its last germ
killed. there is no more reason To suppose
that II would ever originate again than
there is TO expect the temperance OF the
great aux. the mammoth. or the glyptodon.
In theory such an achievement might re-
quire but month or year, but In reality
a century has not accomplished it.
The chief reason why vaccination has
failed Of this ultimate ideal achievement
fs-paradoXical though IL sounds-becauss
vaccination has operated so efficiently So
nearly has ii banished smallpox that no one
now fears that disease and a general care
lesSness prevails regarding IT, No better
SsoIiIiiehtdiy All tniS IesdTd could De made
than mention Of the fact that two physi-
clans recently contracted the disease in
New York from a case which came 10
dlspensary where they were in attendance.
If physicians fell TO give themselves fn,rni;-
large?
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 supposed they are being
vaccinated to cleanse the blood IL does
not matter much what they think Der-
hapS, so long as they submit 10 the OPERA
ton. But many decline the boon, and these,
or course, remain susceptible 10 the dis
ease Our laws offer protection to all, but
force Is upon no one. Abroad, in many
places vaccination is COMPULSORY a fine
being imposed il any child if found unvac-
aimed at is accomplished I'm this country in
a more pleasant way by prohibiting un-
yaccinated children from attendance upon
the public schools. This measure, together
with the constant solicitations OF health Of
fcers, results in the vaccination OF q 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
RevaccinatiOn must be practiced when the
child is six or seven years ola, and again
during adolescence. Even this third vac
throughout life. Immunity Should be test
ed every few years by repeated vaccina-
tions. and only persons who have sub
can at any time feel fully assured that they
are insusceptible 10 smallpox. Ignorance
of this fact is most potent In giving small
poX q hold upon the community Not alone
the ignorant but many people of intelli-
gence suppose that 50 long as the scar Of a
previous vaccination appears they are i'm
mune and with confidence born Of this
deiusional belief. go about the world al
most as susceptible 10 smallpox rs If they
had never been vaccinated For such per-
sons chiefly the present words, with their
obvious moral, are intended.