The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-01-27
AS TO PROTECTION AGAINST THE
SMALL POX.


SMALL POX.
DR.. w. T. Cheatham Submits Some
Timely and Thoughtful Suggestions
on the Subject of Vaccination.
HENDERSON, n. c. Jan. oath, 1898.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-As the people of
this community are in a state of anxiety
and fear that small pox may be at some
time in the near future introduced in
our midst, deem it not out of place to
say something about the Importance of
vaccination and re-vaccination as
means Of preventative aud protection
against this loathsome and fearfully
fatal disease. l am we'll aware that the
people of this community are in no con-
dition for the introduction OF small! pox
in their midst. l think l can safely say
that niue out OF every ten persons in this
county are unprotected, having never
been successfully vaccinated; and | have
no doubt that the same condition of
things prevails throughout the State.
1t is currently reported that small pOX
ls prevailing to an alarming extent in
some of the cities and towns in adjOin-
ing States. Therefore we should not be
backward in taking proper precautions
against it's introduction in our cOmmu-
nifty. We have daily railroad communi-
cation with communities that are infected
and are liable to have some one who has
been exposed to the infection and has
the seed of the disease in hi= or her sys-
tenn stop with us and have small pON,
communicate it to Others and perhaps be
the means OF starting fearful epidemic.
will give an instance that perhaps
will illustrate the danger of being ex-
posed, or unprotected by vaccination.
\ most remarkable instance occurred in
Montreal in 1885. Small pox had been
prevailing in that city between 1870 and
1875, when it died out, owing perhaps to
the exhaustion of suitable material in
part, and the introduction Of vaccina-
ton. The health report shows that the
city was free from disease up to 1885.
During the intervening years vaccination
had been neglected. Many of the French
Canadians We're violently opposed to it,
resulting in anti-vaccine riot, SO that a
large unprotected population grew up in
the city, and the soil was we'll prepared
and ready for the seed. 1t was not long,
however, before the seed were sOwn and
a frightful small pOx crop was gathered.
In the month of February a Pullman
car conductor who had contracted the
disease in another city, was admitted to
the city hospital. 1t was not long before
the authorities Of the hospital dismissed
all patients presenting no symptoms of
contagon, who could go home. The re-
suit was fearful outbreak of the disease
1t spread like ''fire in wild grass and
within less than ten months between
three and four thousand persons died in
Montreal of small poX.
hot hov If
be said of other epidemics. Small pox is
no rcspecter of race or nationality. 1t |
is more fatal in the young than the adult.
Males and females are equally affected. |
Among aboriginal races it is feaTfully |
fatal. When the disease was first intro
duced into America the Mexicans are |
said to have died by thousands, and the
Indians have frequently been decimated
b y this plague. The negro is especially |
susceptible and the rate Of mortality |
much create" than among the whites.
A word as TO vaccinations: 1t is not |
claimed that it is an invariable and per-
manent prevention, but in an immense
majority of cases, successful incubation
renders the person for many years I'M
susceptible. Communities in which vac
cination and re. vaccination have been
systematically carried out are those in
which small pox has its fewest victims.
On the other hand communities in which
vaccination is neglected are those in
which epdemics are most prevalent and
the mortality much greater.
presume that the thoughtful and in
teligent portion of our population will
fully appreciate the situation and have
themselves aud families vaccinated, but
it is also of paramount importance that
the poor and ignorant should be looked
after in order that the protection be
made as complete az possible.
Very truly,
". I. CHEATIIAM, NJ. d.
This is True.
A newspaper has 5000 readers for
each 1000 subscribers. A merchant
who puts out 200 handbills gets pos
sibly 800 or 500 people to read them
that is, if the boy who is trusted to dis
tribute them does not put them under
the side walk bridges. The handbills
cost as much as an advertisement in
the newspaper. All the women and
girls and half the men aud boys read
| the advertisement. Result: The mer-
chant who uses the newspaper has 3,
500 more readers to each 1000 of the
| handbills readers. There is no est
| mating the amount of business that adj
vertising brings meachant, but that
| each dollar invested brings $40 to 500
worth Of business there can be no
doubt. Argus.
The treatment of many thousands Of
| those chronic weaknesses and distressing
| ailments peculiar to females, at the In
valids' Hotel and Surgical Institute,
| Buffalo, n. Y, has afforded vast eX-
perince in nicely adapting and Thoroughly
| testing remedies for the cure of woman's
peculiar maladieS.
! DR.. Pierce's Favorite Prescription Is the
outgrowth. or result, OF this great and
| valuable experience. Thousands of testl-
monials received from patients and from
physicians who have tested it in the more
aggravated and obstinate cases which had
baffled their skill, prove it to be the most
wonderful remedy ever divised for the
| relief and cure of suffering women. 1t is
recommended as "cure-all, - but most
perfect specific for woman's peculiar all
| mentS.
Are You Always Tired