The record-union., 1894-09-03
VALUE OF VACCINATION.
How the Practice Has Lessened the
Rayages of Smallpox.
Statistics Prove It's Eficacy-How the
Virus, Humanized and Bovine, is
Obtained and How 1t Is Preserved
Protection Afforded by incubation.

Cpta1neu ana How I6 Is Preserved
Protection Afforded by incubation.
The world 100 years ago was on the eve
of a discovery which was destined TO
hold in check and modify one the most
persistent and terrible diseases which
had affected mankind: namely, smallpox
(variola). The origin of this disease is
unknown, but that it is associated with
antiquity is unquestioned. Prior TO $500,
the year in which vaccination may be
said to have been introduced throughout
the world, innumerable measures and
remedies had been employed TO prevent
the ravages of this disease, but all had
proved to be impractical or had failed,
and the people had accepted the condi-
ton as a visitation of Providence.
In order to properly appreciate the de-
vastation caused by smallpox previous
to 1900 and the protection afforded by
vaccination after this period it will be
necessary to refer to the statistics of the
Time referred to, and for this purpose l.
have selected some from the records OF
the English Government, the reliability
OF which IS unquestioned.
Es
1t is shown by these tables that prior to
1900 the average annual number of
deaths from smallpox per 100000 inhabi-
tants was more than 700, and that after
1900 the average annual number of deaths
from smallpox per 100, 900 averages about
twenty-five or thirty. In the years
(prior to 1900, when smallpox was very
prevelant about thirty per cent of all
children born died of the disease before
the end of the first year, and those
who were affected and survived were
made blind or were in some way distlg-
ured. In fact, the majority of patients in
the different blind asylums had been de-
prived of sight by this disease.
The records of our own city show that
between 1855 and 1900 there were 5. 756
burials in Trinity and st. Paul's church.
yards; OF this mum Der 6l0, or little more
than one-ninth, were deaths from small
pox. During the years 1905 and 1906, the
population OF the city being considerably
Increased, there were $50 burials in
these cemeteries; Ito, or about one-fourth
of the entire number, were deaths from
smallpox.
1t is not alone statistics which are de-
pendent upon for indisputable evidence
OF the value of vaccination. We have the
testimony of those who are constantly
dealing with smallpox, and who care
fully study the effect of vaccination,
both upon the individual and upon the
community. An experience of fifteen
years with this disease and a close OBJ
servation of the effect of vaccination have
given me proof of the protection afforded
by this precaution which is beyond any
dispute or argument. This belef Is
shared by all who have had similar ex-
perience.
ORIGIN OF INCUBATION.
OF the different remedies and measures
already referred to as having been used
for the prevention or mitigation of small
poX prior to 1900, one is deserving of
notice. l refer to the practice of ''inoc-
ulation." This was of Oriental origin
and gained numerous adherents in
different countries. 1t consisted in talk
ing lymph direct from a smallpox
vesicle and introducing it into some por-
tion of the body OF the person to be inoc-
ulated. This produced a mild form
generally of smallpox and was COM
paratively harmless to the one inoculate ed,
The mortality being about one to three per
thousand. Those inoculated were said to
have been protected bp the natural
pock.'
The chief objection to this procedure,
and the one which was fatal to its con-
tinuance, was the fact that it propagated
the disease, and it was gradually aban-
doned. Qt was made unlawful in Eng
land by an Act of Parliament.) This
condition of things existed when, about
student of Berkeley. England, was ap-
prenticed to MIR. Ludlow, surgeon, OF
Sodbury, near Bristol.
Jenner soon learned of a tradition
which existed relative to the immunity
against smallpox enjoyed by the en-
ployeS iE dairies, whose hands were af-
fected with an eruption caused by milk
ing cows having number of small
'ssores' about the teats and udder, and
known as "cowpox' (vacciDia). Jenner
was apparently fascinated with the sub
ject, and being close observer, studied
1t whenever an opportunity offered. He
patiently and carefully continued his in
yestigation for twenty-five years or
more but his work was frequently re-
tarded owing to the occasional disappear
ance of cowpoX. However, in 179S, after
having been fully satisfied with the result
and value of his discovery, be published
paper entitled IAN Inquiry as TO the
Cause and Effects of Variola Vaccinia.'
Previous to this, in April, 1896, he had
successfully vaccinated a boy II years
old, named James Phlpps, with lymph
taken from vesicle on the udder of a
COW affected with cowpoX.
JENNER's EARLY EXPERIMENTS.
So confident was Jenner of the protect
i've power of vaccination that he inocu-
lated the boy with smallpox lymph. This
was done in July of the same year, and,
as Jenner predicted, nothing followed.
He had not at that time undertaken the
collection of lymph for future use, but
depended on the presence of cowpox for
his material; consequently his work was
more or less interfered with, and he
probably did not vaccinate to any extent
until he again visited London, in I79S.
He then vaccinated a large number sue
cesSfully. The value of this measure
soon became apparent, both TO the pro-
fession and to the laiety, and from this
Z f1ar of hp
seminated throughout the world, so that
by 1890 vaccination was practiced In al
most every part of the globe. 1t was in
troduced in the United States in 1900 and
in this city in 1901.
The results obtained were in some
countries regarded as miraculous, ami
innumerable honorS were showered upon
Jenner, who bore them modestly and
without any show or ostentation.
Jenner continued his work, principally
in London, until the death of his wife, in
1915, when he returned 10 Berkeley, de-
pressed and broken down. He did not
again resume active work. but remained
in his native place until his death, In 1923.
The belief OF Jenner, and also of those
who made the subject OF vaccination a
study, is not generally understood, par
ticularly as 10 its power and protection.
Jenner did not hold that vaccination was
an absolute protection against smallpox,
but that its power in this respect was
very great, and that when it did not pre-
vent the disease it usually rendered it OF
mild type.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE.
He fully recognized, as do all who un-
derstand this subject. that there are few
who are but feebly protected by vaccina-
tion This is rather TO be regarded as an
jdiosyncracy in certain individuals, and
has parallel in the case of those who