The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1895-05-15
SMALLPOX.
Suggestions by tie State Beard Of Health
for the Local Health Officers, Physi-
clans and the People Of Vest Eirginia.


In view of the fact that our State
is surrounded by others in which
smallpox is prevalent, and from
which Infection has already gained
addmittance to the State ut three
points, tae State Board of Health of
submits the following suggestions to
the Local Health officers, Physiei.
ans and people, with view to a
i prompt suppression of outbreaks of
the disease in the State. IL should
be remembered that the best rene
/ dy for small poX is prevention, and
i all persons IN authority should take
/ every precaution to prevent the in
/ PRODUCTION of the disease, as all pri.
vate persons should avoid exposure
to the contagion, alike for their own
and the public safety. Another
/ general suggestion of Importance
/ is that panic with It's .itseHaant evils
/ of business stagnation and pubic
disquiet is unnecessary and inter
i feres greatly with the calm and cool
application OF necessary remedies TO
an epidemic Upon the outbreak of
smallpox let every man exercise a
| prudent and serupulou care against
exposure and q generous spirit of
helpfulness to the authorities in
their efforts TO deal with the situa-
tion, and an epidemic cannot result.
VACCINATION.
The great preventive of small
/ poX is vaccination. When small
poX is threatening community, or
may by any means be foreseen as II
danger, vaccination should be re.
quired and enforced upon all ex-
posed persons. Heads of families
should realize the responsibility of
providing this protection against
disease, and the poor or recalcitrant
| should be looked after by munich
pal or county authorities. 1t is
necessary also to say that great care
should be taken in the operation of
vaccination. To scratch the arm
and rub lifeless virus over the
scratch is even more dangerous
than no vaccination, as it gives Il
false sense of security, without pre-,
| lection. Competent physicians,
using modern antiseptic precautions
and fresh reliable virus should do
Z wv hshAAALAANALl " AGSh AAtslk Nv .
vaccinations should be made upon
each PERSON, upon the same arm
at the same time, then each person
so vaccinated should be required to
report to the physician for in
spection or re vaccination, where
necessary, until II good result is as.
sured. All children attending
schools, men and women working
in factories and persons in general,
whose occupation brings them into
contact with large numbers of other
persons, should be required to be
vaccinated School Boards and
Teachers should join with the medf-
cal authorities in seeing that this
rule is enforced.
DUTIES OF THE LOCAL BOARDS or
HEALTH.
Immediately upon the reported
appearance OF small.p suspect
tho medical member OF the local
board of health should investigate
the situation: if there is certainly
DO cause for tho report the public
should be relieved at once Of all APP
prehension. If the case is in the
slightest degree doubtful IL should
be isolated for sufficient time to
make accurate diagnosis possible.
Should the case prove to be small
poX it should be isolated at once.
/ All persons known to have been
with the patient since his exposure
TO the Injection, should be vaccfna-
ted 1T once, and isolated from 9th
ers until the disease develops in
them il they are infected General
vaccination should then be insisted
upon and the public warned of the
danger and of tho necessity of
avoiding the locality in which tho
patient lives, or is kept If posi-
bic suitable building for hospital
purposes should be bad in readiness
and upon the Development of case
it should be at once removed to the
hospital, and the residence ofthe pa.
tient carefully disigfected. Nurses
and attendants should not be allow.
ed 10 leave the infected house or 10
come into contact with well persons.
Physicians should be required 10
use every precaution to prevent the
carrying of injection by them. in
their visits to other patients.
Upon the first note of danger
from small pox the Secretary of the
State Board of Health should be in
formed. and the executive Office of
local board of health should keen
him informed of all Developments
with the greatest promptness posi-
bic. 1t is the duty Of the Board 10
make suggestions and to render as.
sistance in these unusnal emergen-
cises, and much can be done by 90.
operation between the State aud To-
cal authorities
QUARAarINE.
The law ofthe State gives tho 10.
cal board of health power to declare
quarantine until the State board Of
health can be heard from. and IN
some cases 1t may be necessary 10
resort TO this extreme power bat as
a general rule quarantine against
other towns causes hardship, inter
feres with business, and travel.
/ gives rise to panic and fright.
without any oCrreeuoudiuer ,rood