The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-03
DIR. c. Z. BROCK.

DR.. c. Z. BROCK.
DR.. G. r. Brock has charge OF the vac
enc station at 30l west Broad street.
He has yacclnated in the neighborhood OF
six hundred people, ana reports that many
more came in the beginning than come
now. This ne attributes to two causes,
the FIRST being the subsistence Of the scare
that came with the first reported cases
IN the eastern part Of the State, and the
second that the material to work on is not
50 abundant.
\ large percentage Of those who sought
the privilege of free vaccination at the
agency were negroes, bur there were many
white people Of a good class who came
and brought their children, because on
account of the hard times they were
unable TO pay a doctor.
Many Of those vacCnated showed signs
OF having been inOculated before, and in
quite large number Of these cases II
took the second time.
IN. Brock could not make an estimate
Of the percentage of people who decline
vaccination, as all those upon whom he
operated sought the privilege.
DIR. oPPENHIMEB.
Or. W. r. Oppenhimer. president OF the
city Board of Health, when asked what
he thought Of the situation said:
Much discussion and some dissent have
been aroused by the recent movement Of
compulsory vaccination.
Vaccination, indeed, always causes an
noydnce. and sometimes suffering, and is
therefore, in itself Objectionable. But
when the choice lies between this short
lived discomfort and the presidential
scourge Of smallpox. no hesitation could
exist.
Smallpox is loathsomc, II not always
fatal, and. apart from the loss of bread
winners and the expense and sorrow Of
sickness and death. inficts material in
jury upon commercial interests.
Smallpox is the only epidemic disease
which can be prevented with certainty.
For hundred years vaccination has
stood the test Of experiment in every civ
ilized country. It is compulsory in many
cities Of the United States and is far
more so in those Of England and Ger
many. This law has been in force in this
| city but was defeated when the Board
Of Health recently attempted 20 revive It.
1T is more important for Richmond TO
adopt this measure than for any other
large city, as we have no hospital for the
reception of contagious diseases. If every
one Is successfully vaccinatcd il Will rem
der such an institution unnecessary, and
viii prevent the enormous expense en-
tailed by an epidemic Of smallpox.
"When a city Is free from smallpox
there are hundreds who refuse to undergo
having themselves and their families vac
cinated some through fear of blood con-
tar nation. others through unbelief in the
efficacy of the measure.
"The feelings of a community should
not be considered in a matter of such
grave importance. They should follow
blindiy the advice of the medical frater-
nifty, who are of one opinion in regard
TO vaccination.
1.-The health officers have a corps of
doctors who will visit each house and
offer their services free, but so far the
work has been most unsatisfactory TO
these physicians and to the board. Every
person IN Richmond should DE compelled.
II necessary, to be Vaccinatcd for indi-
viduals have no right to endanger the
lives Of others as well as their own
through an unbelef i'm vaccination for
winch they have no grounds. II IS earn
cstly hoped that this subject will be duly
considered by the authorities a"