The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-08-11
VACCINATION,
A STRONG AND SENSIBLE
PAPER.
In Regard to Smallpox.

DR.. r. H. Lewis, Secretary of the
Board of Health for North Carolina,
has sent out the following advance
sheet of the Bulletin OF the Board OF
Health relative to vaccination:
While the instructions for quaran-
tine and distinction issued by the
Board several years ago in compliance
with tho requirements of Section 9 OF
the Act in Relation to the Board OF
Health, really embody all that is neces-
gary, it faithfully carried out, for the
restriction of contagious diseases, it is
thought advisable In view of the prev
alence of smallpox in one section of
the State, and the strong probability
of its spreading, to issue fuller and
more specific directions as to the man.
agement of that particular disease.
In order to be perfectly plain it may
be necessary to be somewhat element
airy and the we'll informed health Of
ficer must not consider what is said as
reflection upon his intelligence and
knowledge. It should be remembered
that this is merely supplement to the
"Instructions' and the two must be
read together.
We will consider the subject in its
relation, /, to the patient; 2, to the
physician /; 3, to the general public 4,
to the municipality, and finally, 5, to
vaccination.
l. The Patient.-Owlng to the tend
ency in human nature to put away
dlsagreeable things it seems that in
many cases the attending physician is
loath to admit that the case is one Of
smallpox and calls it chickenpox, urti-
caria and even pemphigus, while the
people, In one locality at least: denoml-
nate it elephant Itch" When a mis-
take is made in the diagnosis or until
it is correctly made, no precautions are
taken, as rule, and free intercourse
with the patient being allowed, the in
lection is spread. The diagnosis is not
difficult, but as no chances should be
taken, the obviously proper thing to do
whenever there is any doubt about il
Is to manage the case as If it were
smallpox. When smallpox is prevail
ing every one with an eruption who &
few days before its appearance had
headache, pain in the back and fever
should be strictly quarantined until
time has settled the question. Above
all things the patient should be prop
erly cared for. This is not super.
fluous suggestion-as it ought to be
for it occasionally happens that the
cry of smallpox produces such an actut
and general panic that the poor suffer
er is more or less neglected, for a Will,
at least. There is no excuse for this
as thoroughly vaccinated persons Cal
handle such cases with as little DANCE
as they could measles.
g. The Physiciom.-The greatest car
should be taken by the physician t.
avoid carrying the infection to others
He should have special suit o
clothes during the warm weather Q
some material that will wash-o
better, perhaps, a long gown of linel
Or cotton, buttoning close around tn
neck above the collar and Tight
around the wrists, to be worn over hi
ordinary clothes, with cap OF pape
or oiled silk completely covering hi
hair. while his feet are protected b
rubber shoes. The garments shout
be donned in an unlnfected room, Q
out of doors If there is no room, an
removed upon returning to the sam
from the room of the patient. II th
disease is present IN only one hous.
the special suit can be LETT there bu
not in the room with the patient.
however, there be cases in other house
to be seen, it can be rolled up and ca
rled in a close-shutting handbag. T
make assurance doubly sure it woul
be we'll after the rounds for the da
have been made to hang it up in DO
or closet or wardrobe in an unoccupie
room and dlsinfect 1t with one (
Schering & Glatz's small formaldehyd
lamps. Before going to bed hang
out OF the window to remove the form
aldehyde odor. Do not forget to di
infect the handbag also, if one is use'
Before leaving the premises the hanl
and face, (beard particularly shout
be washed with some reliable antisept
-bichlorlde of mercury, to 1000,
per cent. solution of carbolic aci
tor example.
3. The General Public.-The poop
should bear in mind the fact that the
is no reason whatever Tor becomin
panic-stricken at the announcement
smallpox in their community-by +
means such good reason as ON the a
pearance of d1phtheria or scarlet feve
In smallpox alone of ell the cantagio,