Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-30
BDTDAr........r. DECEMBER 80, 1898.


Smallpox has made its appearance in
various cities of Virginia. and though it
has proved to be mild in form, still it is
very unwelcome visitor. AS yet we are
only upon the threshold of winter. and,
unless very stringent measures are adopt
cd 10 stamp out the disease. we may ex-
b, pect 1t TO claim many new victims. But
thanks TO vaccination. and other precau-
tionary measures that are now generally
adopted. smallpox is not now the widely
dreaded thing It used TO be. Within the
recollection Of many persons now living
the rumor Of a case of smallpox in
city or town. would cause panic. 1t was
death to the towns business, and hun
dreds Of its inhabitants FASTENED to seek
places Of refuge elsewhere. Now only a
mild sort Of scare is created when it is
announced that there are a few cases of
smallpox here or there. 1t Is assumed
that mos< people have been vaccinated;
also. that the municipal authorities have
taken time by the forelock and have es-
sablished a smallpox hospital, and have
physicians and nurses waiting the de-
mand FOR their services. We trust there
IS no Virginia city so reckless Of the
health and business of its people as not
70 make the preparations that are called
for by proper regard for human life and
business economy.
While we say that nowadays most peo-
pie are supposed to have been vaccinated
we do not attempt to deny the fact that
q minority OF our population have been
negleNful, or are ignorant of their inter
ssts In this matter. These unfortunates
either do not know the necessity for vac
cination, or have postponed the duty from
lime 10 time.
Colored persons who have not been vac
Cinated are far more numerous than
whites. We wish we could hear that
their pastors and teachers were diligent-
" engaged in exhorting them to be vac
cinated. White employers of colored la
Dor could do friendly service and a pub
lie duty, also, by following the same
course. We want the colored people 10
preserve their health. 1t Is TO their in
ferest that they should do so, and we
confess that it is TO our interest they
Should do so.
1t is a strange fact that many mothers,
who are careful enough 10 have their
babes vaccinated. do not inquire whether
their servants have been vaccinated or
not And, yet. most Of those servants
have sieeping-rooms in the negro quarter
OF the city. Moreover. they wash and
dress and feed our children, and some of
them hold our infants in their laps by the
hour. Thus, IL would seem to be the part
of prudence and common-sense for heads
of families 10 make searching inquiries
as to whether their domestic servants
have vaccination scars upon their arms.
In no other way can ones family be so
well safeguarded against the introduce
ton of this disease. While there has
been no case Of smallpox in Richmond
for years, it would be little less than mi
raculous II we should go through this
winter unscathed, when the disease pre-
walls In so many other. Virginia localities
The jails have always been the favor
ste haunts Of smallpox. It was so hun
dred years ago. II is 80 to-day. The
reason is not far to seek. The men and
women who ind their way into jails, as
q rule, are persons OF the lowest order.
They come from nasty, dirty novels, eel
lars. and garrets. OF changes of clothes
they have few or none. Hence. when
they are put into cells they so there in
tho dress they have worn in their dens. |
IT is a pity the laws OF Virginia do not |
make liberal provision for protecting the |
jails against smallpox. Each prisoner |
should be vaccinated, and made TO take |
a bath when he arrives Then he should |
be given a fresh suit Of clothes. In that |
way smallpox could bd held In check.
TO do all this would cost something, OF |
course: but think Of the good that IL |
would do And such costs as these /
might well be assessed upon the county |
or city, as they would be in the nature Of |
local sanitary measures.
This Is good time TO discuss these /
matters. while the public Is interested |
but not alarmed. IL We wait til we have
actual need for the preventlves we have
mentioned. then there may be confusion
dire. and money probably will be spent in
Wild haste.
30 we recommend TO the people OF Vir-
si"is seneral vaccination. Also. that