The Washington times., 1894-07-08
IT CHECKED DREAD DISEASE
History Of the Origin and Splendid
Results of Vaccination.
INCUBATION is AN OLD ART
Modern Meth ds for the Obtaining OF Vac
cine Matter-collecting tho Lymph in
Glass Tubes-Eo Fear Necessary in Re-
gard to Properly Performed Vaccination

the eve OF discovery whlcn was uesLnou "
hold in check and modify one OF the mos
persistent and terrible diseases which hao
affected mankind. namely smallpox (varloia)
The origin CT this disease is unknown, Du
that it is associated with antiquity is unques
toned. Prior to 1900, the year in which
vaccination may be said to have been intro
ducei throughout the world. 1nnumeraolt
measures and remedies had been employedto to
prevent the ravages of this disease, but all
had proved to be impractical or had failed
and the people had accepted the condition az
visitation oil Providence.
In order to properly appreciate the devasta-
ton caused by smallpox previous to $500 and
the protection afforded by vaccination aftel
this period it will be necessary to refer 10 the
statistics OF the time referred to, and for this
purpose have selected some from the records
of the English government, the reliability o.
which is unguestioned.
TERRIBLE RAvAaEs OF THE DISEASE.
1t is shown by these tables. says DR.. A. Fl.
Doty in the New York Herald. tnat prior to
1900 the average annual number of deaths from
smallpox per 100000 inhabitants was more
than 700, and that after 1900 the average an
nual number of deaths from smallpox per
100000 averages about twenty-five or thirty.
In. the years (prior to 1900, when smallpox
was very prevalent. 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 distlgured- In fact the
majority of patients in the different blind
asylums had been deprived OF sight by this
disease.
tween I7s5 and 1900 there were 5.756 burials
in Trinity and ST. Paufs churchyards. OF this
number 6l0, or a little more than one-ninth.
were deaths from smallpox. During the
years 1905 and 1906 the population cf the
city being considerably increased, there were
1886 burials in these cemeteries; l10, or about
one-lorrieth of the entire number. were deaths
from smallpox.
II is not alone statistics which are depended
upon for indisputable evidence of the value of
vaccination. We have the testimony OF those
who are constantly dealing with smallpox,
and who carefully study the effect OF vaccina-
ton, both upon the individual and upon the
community. An experience of fifteen years
with this disease and close observation of
the effect OF vaccination have given me proof
of the protection afforded by this precaution
which is beyond any dispute or argument.
This belief is shared by all who have had
similar experience.
ORIGIN OF ISoCULATIoN.
OF the different remedies and measures
already referred to as having been used for
the prevention or mitigation of smallpox
prior TO 1900 one is deserving of notice.
refer TO the practice of .'inoculation." This
was of oriental origin, and gained numerous
adherents in different countries. 1t con-
sisted in taking lymph direct from small
poX vesicle and introducing it into some
Io-tion of the body OF the person TO be inocu-
l8ted. This produced a mild form (gener-
ally of smallpox. and was comparatively
harmless to the one inoculated. the mortality
being about one to three per thousand Those
inoculated were said TO have been protected
by the natural pock.'
The chief objection TO this procedure and
the one which was fatal to its continuance,
was the fact that it propagated the disease,
and it was gradually abandoned. (It was
made unlawful in Englani by an act of Par
liament.) This condition OF things existed
when, about ITO. Edward Jenner. a young
medical student of Berkeley. England. was
apprenticed to Mr.. Ludlow, a surgeon of Sod
bury. near Bristol.
Jenner soon learned of a tradition which
existed relative to the immunity against
smallpox enjoyed by the employees in dairies.
caused by milking cows having a number of
small 'sores" about the teats and udder, and
known as ''cowpoX' (vaccinia). Jenner was
apparently fascinated with the subject, and
being u close observer, studied it whenever
opportunity offered. He patiently and
carefully continued his investigation for
twenty-five years or more but his work was
frequently retarded, owing to the occasional
disappearance of cowpox. However, in 1888,
ti:er having been fully satisfied with the re-
8 and value of his discovery, he published
"a paper entitled 'An Inquiry as to the Cause
and Effects of Yariola Vaccinia." Previous
TO this. in April. 1896, he had successfully
vaccinated boy u years old, named james
phipps. with lymph taken from vesicle on
the udder of a COW affected with cowpox.
JENSER's EARLY ExPERrMENrs.
So confident was Jenner of the protective
power of vaccination that he inoculated the
boy with smallpox lymph. This was done in
July of the same year, and, as Jenner pre-
licted, 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 179S
He then vaccinated a large number success
fully. The value OF this measure soon be-
came apparent. both to the profession and to
the laity, and from this time the news of the
discovery was disseminated throughout the
world, so that by 1900 vaccination was prac-
ticed in almost every part of the globe. 1t
was introduced in the United States in 1900
and in this city in 1901.
The results obtained were in some couu- |
tries regarded as miraculous, and innumer-
able hoDors were showered upon Jenner. who |
bore them modestly and without any show or |
Jenner continued his work, principally in |
London. until the death of his wife, In 1915. |
when he returned to Berkeley, depressed and |
broken down. He did not again resume !
active work, but remained in his native Illce |
until his death. in 1923.
The belief of Jenner, and also of those who |
have made the subject of vaccination a study. |
Is not generally understood, particularly as to |
It's power and protection. Jenner did not |
hold that vaccination was an absolute pro-
lection against smallpox, but that its power
N this respect was very great, and that when
/ did not prevent the disease it usually rem
Tered 1t of mild type.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE
He fully recognized. as do all who under
tand this subject, that there are few who
Ire but feebly protected by vaccination. This
s. rather to be regarded as an id;osyncrasy in
ertain individuals, and has parallel in the
ase of those who sometimes have a second
II third attack of smallpox.
Jenner did not live long enough to recog-
ize the necessity of secondary or revaccina-
ion. It WIS found about the time of his
cath that persons who had been vaccnated
4 early life, and had been protected for
lumber OF years, became again susceptible to
maiipox.
This subject was carefully investigated, and
lc necessity forreyaccination established. At
hatperiod a secondary vaccination should be
er riorned cannot be definitely settled, al
.aa:-h il would appear from observation
! infancy and again successfully vaccinased
eiween the tenth and fifteenth years is un-
in the great majority OF cases, pro-
.ed throughout life. third vaccination,
owevcr, later in life is advisable, particu-
lrlv among those who are exposed to small