The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-06-02
The SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC.

commissioner, LIT. D.. Howell Dill
lingsea. calls particular attention to the fol-
lowing from the State Board of Health. tits
a we'll known fact that small pox is prevail
ing in the West; that hundreds of tramps,
known as Coxey's Army, ETC., are here and
still coming; that at Chesapeake Beach, this
State, the disease has made its appearance
among the hands employed on the railroad
there; and that the hospital in Baltimore has
some IS or 40 cases. Let our citizens act
promptly in this matter and all be vaccinated.
Following is the circular.
MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
SECRETARY's OFFICE,
Baltimore, Md. May 10TH 1894.
To the People of Maryland The remarkable
prevalence, at the present time, of epidemic small
pox, in numerous and widely scattered parts of the
United States and the outbreak of the disease
in Maryland are just causes of anxiety.
Periods of immunity from this loathsome pesti-
lence are always followed by renewed invasions of
more or less severity Ii has been the common ex-
perience OF all past times and true of epidemic dis
eases in general. The explanation is. that the prev
alence of contagious disease in running its course
exhausts the material upon which it feeds, by at.
lacking all who are susceptible to it, An interval
must therefore elapse long enough to allow new
crop OF susceptible persons 10 accumulate before
another epidemic is possible.
smallpox could always be made an exception to
TINS law, II the people would universally practice
vaccination and reyaceination In some of the
smallpox is practically extinct. Ireland was form
erly one of the most terribly afflicted countries of
Europe, with smallpox. The results of general
vaccination are such that in the last quarterly Re
is stated:
NO deaths from smallpox have been registered in
ireland since 1891"
In the late Franco-Prussian war smallpox pre-
vailed u an alarming extent and both armies were
InIy exposed to the contagion; but the German
mortality was only 1853 men, while the French loss
was 2346S. although the latter army was at no time
more than one-half the size of the former The
explanation Is that in Germany, vaccination was
thoroughly practiced. Every soldier was vaccinat-
ed on entering the army.
In the French army neither vaccination or re-
vaccination was compulsory. and the French army
was practically unprotected from smallpox.
Such IS the evidence of the protective influence
OF vaccination, which mortality tables can give.
But very positive evidence exists, in unlimited
measure that persons recently vaccinated do not
take smallpox, however much exposed to the con-
DIR. VIM. NJ. WEIGH. physician in charge of the
Municipal Hospital for Infectious Diseases at Phfla
delphia, in recent review o: 5000 recorded cases,
writes During my service of % years, resident
physician OF the hospital nurse, auudress cook,
or any other employee who properly regaccinat-
ed before entering on duty has taken smallpox,
with one possible exception of nurse, who had one
or two variolons vesicles. but at no time dis
aoled from performing her usual duties.
Again he writes Il have seen over and over
again, entire families brought into the hospital
when all the unvaccinated children have been suh-
ing from smallpox and the vaccinated children I'M
affected; have seen the former perish and the latter
remain exempt from the disease, although living,
eating and sleeping in the infected atmosphere for
several weeks But have yet to see single un-
vaccinated child escape the disease under similar
circumstances. Furthermore, l have more than
once seen vaccinated infant draw its daily supply
OF nourishment from mother suffering from vario-
loid, and the infant remain as free from any symp
sand miles away. and the food received from more
wholesome source. All this is evidence of the pro-
phylate power Of vaccination that cannot be shown
1t seems like doubling the intelligence ofthe pen
pie OF Maryland to present to them these proofs OF
the protective power of vaccination But the pres
a nnVlPrt
that protection. The long immunity from this dis
ease which we have enjoyed has begotten disre-
gard of this unrivaled means of safety and possibly
i'll some minds, ignorance of its value. What vac
cination has done for Ireland for the soldiers of the
German army, and for the doctors and nurses OF
smallpox hospital it will do for the people of Mary
land.
A genuine vaccination affords complete protection
from smallpox for several years often for life and
partial protection always through life. A revacci-
nation renews the full protection. Vaccination is
always a safe operation attend with little 1ncon
all the safeguards which science has thrown about
it. 1t is more effective means of protection than
anything else known to man.
The State Board of Health most earnestly enjoins
upon the people of the State TO be vaccnated and if
any have notbeen vaccinated with in the past
years, TO be reYaccinated.
1t would exhort parents and all who have charge
of children and minors. to have them vaccinated.
The State Board of Health urgently advises all
boards of School Commissioners TO enforce the stat
ute relating to the vaccination of the pupils in the
public schools.
II would most strenuously urge upon town au-
thorities everywhere in this State, 10 provide for
the free vaccination of their people, at this time
when this pestence is invading our borders from
every side, and when the danger is aggravated by
the multitude of irresponsible, homeless. wandering
tramps, who are traversng our towns and cities. in
such form to be most effective carriers of this
dread disease.
1t specially calls upon all the County Health Off
GERS and the Health officials of the Incorporated
Towns and Cities to exert their influence wherever
il can be effective 10 secure at once general vac
cination and revaccnatOn of all the inhabitants
who may be in need of it, within their respective
Jurisdictions.
And finally the State Board most respectfully and
earnestly invokes the aid of that great moter of
public sentiment and opinion. the newspaper, to
exert its powerful influence in impressing upon the
people the Importance of promptly adopting this
measure of defense against an impending danger.
Every individual who has not been vaecinated is
now, during the prevalence of this disease in immi
nent peril Every one who has been recently sue
ceSsfully vacenated is safe from the contagion OF
smallpox
To be vaccinated is duty one owes to himself
aud to the community in which he lives