Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-07-27
1T Is SMALLPOX
Says D. Bankston, But of Mild Form
Due to the Season-Every Effort
Should Be Made to Stop 1t.

Editor State Herald:
So much has been said pro and con con-
corning the eruptive disease now preva-
lent here that / would be obliged for
space to state my views through your
columns, in as practical and concise
manner as possible; not going into the
oretical or scientific discussion of the
subject at all. and leaving out all the
points of diagnosis, differential and 9TH
erwise.
The disease is undoubtedly smallpox
(variola). but so modified in form and at
tenuated in virility (for which there are
good prevailing reasons) as to make 1t
a very mild and almost harmless malady.
The difficulty is that it will not remain
in it's present type nor maintain its mild
prevalence. Changes will soon- occur
that will render it very dreadful
sccurge indeed unless eradicated.
What are the conditions operating to
change the characteristic manifestations
of the disease from its usual dangerous
and deadly type to very mild ana SIM
pie form, so mild and simple, in fact, as
to have caused some doubt as to Its char
acter?1 First reason; doors and windows
can be left open, thereby providing fully
for fight and ventilation, and the dilu-
ton unexpectedly of the. poison so as
to immune in the person susceptibfe'to an
tive elements, or germs, of the disease,
thereby. ehgenderng the modified form
now existing here to some extent.
Seconds the long hoursAf sunshine and
light and the excess of ozone In our
pure and balmy atmosphere are agents
operating against the propagation and
spread of a very intense and malignant
fern of the poison of the disease, Qight
and oxygen being destroyers of germs
ferments and noxious odors.)
Third, the general healthfulness of. our
location and the good sanitary cofFftion
of cur city and the surroundings countl'
greatly modify and retard the growth
and spread of the small pox. l would
digress here and add that through the
efforts of our scientific and capable
health officer, Dr. Barclay, and our pop
ular, thorough-going and aggressive
sanitary inspector, Gen. G. l.. Thomas,
our Surroundings are being put in the
very best sanitary condition. and every
effort is being made in very able and
intelligent manner to stamp out the as
ease, and where the producing cause OF
the disease ard its effects are known, 1t
is a matter of general note that 1t RACES
in greatest intensity and virulence DUR
ing cold weather. That fact can be very
easily explained, for it is then that we
necessarily close our doors ana WINDOWS
and heat our rooms, thereby conhnlhs
the po,son or germ to a Mnlted space,
under conditions greatly favoring the
growth and concentration OF 1t, ana M
tensifying its virihty and surcharglng
the person receiving 1t with a greater
amount of that concentrated poison,
thereby engendering the disease IN an
its typical and loathscme features:
therefore think that instead OF DOUBT
and controversy, as to the character or
the disease under discussion, the pubilc
had better give the hsalth authorities
their active support ard by heartily CO.
-txrl,i 10 n N =
are so favorable, and not wait for the ad-
vent of cool weather, thereby further en-
dsngering the health and business IN
terests of the city and lessening the pos
sibility of an epidemic, with It's uEunls-
taxable continent symptoms, loathsome
Intensity and deadly effect. To put the
nrouosition a little differently, If we are
to err, which we, as medical men, say we
are not doing, let's do so on the safe side.
cal it by its most severe name and use
the same Watchfulness and precaution'
4hat should be observed in an endeavor
to stamp out an epidemic of smallpox
(ysricla). and get our homes and environ
mants safe from the impending danger,
that | fear will soon overshadow us II we
allow this disease to pass unnoticed until
conditions are favorable for it TO intensity
itself and the character of the disease
SO Enthusiastically manifest that tbs. most
Inexperienced of the lafty would know 1t
as SMALLPOX imam epidemic form.
I hope the public will not condemn me
as a sersationalist, nor am l trying to
aggravate the condition by advancing
amy views likely to cause undue appre-
hensioYy but in view of the facts as pre-
serted by the situation, | believe it would
be wise and prudent to grapple with the
condition as if it were serious epidemic
of mallpox taking the most efficient
measures. scientifically applied. to stamp
it out now, at once, by urging general
and even compulsory vaccration of all
our citizens of whatever caste or color,
complete isolation of all now infected or
who, by exposure, are liable to become
infected from exposure to the disease,
arri the continued observance of the most
rigid sanitary precautions. Such meas
| ures aided by the hearty cooperation of
a sympathetic and Interested public. will
soon find our vicinage relieved of the
| pest. iCl
ease before. have had 1t in its d;screte
| form (the type now prevailing), had two
| brothers to die of it few weeks after
! my convslescence, as the epidemic had
! then assumed its virile c1rfiue-t form
| more generally. l know, therefore, that
at no time durirg the early stages ara
! all cases, nor even major part of them
| typical.
in conclusion let me say the subject is
| of paramount Importance. Should a mis-
| take be made. which l claim is not the
! case, and general bustress interests suf-
| fer through the admission of the fact thai
/ the prevailing malady Is infectious.
| lxrpw that grave censure will be incur.
! rcd Yet. it is incompaIably better that
| we submit to the slight business stacis
that will result now than to risk ar
actual. extensive and fatal epidemic la. Ell
on. with general and long continued bust
| ness depression No one who has had
airy experience with the disease expects
it to ase;inaa malignant proportions. mol
| to Become general until the advant Of
| cooler weather. I say with all confid nee
| that with the measures now beirg pr