Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-19
u,,r, sMaII-POx FIGHT.

II thi. section has not Deen rspe" 90
ara we cannot find that IL mas D,e..~,o
,rorld like 10 ask the Governor WY o.
r,,,,,,,cn,ents have not been mace iV'
&c citizens with vaccine virus
'rs,nsd ~ imposing upon theH the ~
,,e,so ~ having an excessive ia1o ~ |
,,anc,na,ion 10 say nothing OF 'he 60
,ts,, 4, many instances, Of not peihs "D'0
to secure pure virus -. loo, bIed |
The citizens OF Virginia nave D -"
Of thousands OF dollars Io' 49,, bave
"a uhue 81 ia true a great many 49,
anu 49, aa,,a,sd free the money has Deeh
80 ont of the treasures OF 'he
81 Gums which will have 10 De 0p"o
81 hack again from the people W 49,
and not one cent mas cOihO '
| treasury Of the state. .,to bas
The Health Department OF NHs'it 60
| h.,r iupo.ont a. far as DeIs "o'F "
| I'D any aid to its people durlhs w
80, emall-pox epidemic. on account Oh NO.
| ra,,inV any means at their cominahu' anu
! :, IL a burning disgrace 10 our STATE VIC.
| -, 80 are rnenaced by sucn great |
dangers of an epidemic, such AZ ho"
confronts rs the state suthoIl'ie9
no, able 20 lend a helping hand' pul .nV
| people themselves are caIled upon " -
| ,ida tho WAYS and means OF taxing cdie
e,"e .,,n,,solyes VIII some one. better
| nostod than we are. tell US why TINS So
| ,,on of the Code is not observed by our
|
| Chief Executive?
We answer that no vaccine agent mas
-. o,,o,r,ed since 1890 when the office
was abolished. ,,ao,,,. %
,. .ho agoncv was very beneficial
inoeec. 10 the public Recently ~"
# was found that it entaiied "hAh ~,
,,ors called "a useless expense anu
honco the appropriation was cut OIL
rho very class Of people who are most
o,,rosod 70 smallpox would not, as
rule take the trouble TO apply Tor vac
o,no matter If the State would give II 10
,,,o,r What is needed in Virginia Is
law and appropriations, which WOMB
a,,,so q vaccination of our entire popuid-
ton. .,,... g.
It is stated upon what we nei'eVe 10
good authority that not more than " per
cent Of the people of Virginia nave pee"
vaccinated. -,
u,bero have been in this State since
,os. October. between 1900 and 1000 cases
NJ smallpox. 1t is true the disease ''"'
r,o,, mild but therein Hes great oah-
oor, If the disease we're now as fatal as
| . MAS
have been necessary TO call the Hen'l"
Assembly together 10 adopt measures io'
combating it. If the old ratio hao 'e
vailed in this epidemic, We snou'"
ho,.o IN mourn the death OF seVe-
al hundred smallpox victims SINCE
, ,os+ October. As the case st"hoS'
the deaths have been few me
disease IS so mild the puohc j
% ,,,.i,,, much less attention 10 it than u
. deserves. Yet it is being widely scatter
y al osneciallv in country districts anu
may lie dormant through the summer ''O
y. brealx out with great violence next wa"
j. Ter There's where serious trouble Is ~
10 fooredi Hence the necessity Ior d"
. General vaccination. The cities ana
II to,.rs are taking very good care Of them
II sei,.es and are enforcing their vaccination
ordinances; but we are apprehehsNe ''I''
- orr country people have not yet l"'S
+ rooii7el The danger which confronts them
Co FAR as our State Board of Health Is
y concerned. it is doing all it can posSiD''
Is do. but it is poweress to accoilp"s"
r much because it hasn't the needed iuhuS
At Until the legislature meets, in Decem
d bor next. each county and city "oui'
ne hot,er look out for itself. The authorizes
az olobt IN be prompt and bold in theii
o. elton and Law taxes where necessary l'
OF meet the expenses that may be incurred
al 1,bev need not fear popular disapprou1
OF tion So far from it. neglect TO MAKE
by ,royision 70 fight off the disease will ali
On most surely excite the wrath OF ln
IL arrar
~ y case where an ounce OF prevention d
OF worth a pound Of cure, here II Is VI
he tbormore. we must say. it Will be loil'
tic % look to the LEGISLATURE for early rehe'
ir- rho LEGISLATURE will not meet till mex
December. Therefore. under the mos
nd favorable circumstances. no mea5ur
is adopted by it could be put in force DC
at fore the beginning of the New Year.
sct For several months past the small-po
'e- has prevailed in a number of the countie
lily and cities of Eastern virginia As
it have said. the mortality has been eN'f1
nd ordirarilv light The persons who nav
a hoen infected have been generally
cal tboso who have never been vaccinate'
bic vet the disease injured them no MOI
than varioloid would have done. me u''
ease may run its course I'm TINS MI
form. or it may reappear next winter
IN very malignant type. Who knows
on Negroes. many Of whom travel on 100
,rt are now carrying smallpox into the uI
ith land counties, whence it will be distrlD'
Sc ted further westward. unless prompt az
nm, tion b.. taken to hold it in check.
And so. while we relterate our Deh'
,rs that there is little or no cause for alar
,rl, in any community eat this time
"a are convinced that the authorities Oh u
ole several counties and cities would be loo
I'M ish almost beyond belief if they do II
re use their utmost exertions TO have the
ON people vaccinated. Especially should th'
or- nav attention TO the negro populauo
bod also to all "jail-birds" and tramps.
the After this year we fervently trust o
mo State will pass laws either 10 compel u
40. local authorities 10 act, or to PROVIDE
.ra it's own action through the State Boa
am- of Health.
MS STAR-ROtTE MAILS.
f1lr.s