Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-24
VACCINATION THE REMEDY.

The smallpox has appeared in many
States. and having started upon its
course early. il may be expected to do
great mischief unless promptly and
vigorously fought
In Texas so great is the alarm in some
sections, several communities have quar-
antined against others where the disease
prevails. TO quarantine against neigh
boring county. or city. is an extreme
measure. It should never be regorted to
Iecklessly; but where a county is so con-
temptuous OF the welfare OF its people as
10 refuse. or neglect, TO adopt the recog-
nized methods of checking the disease.
what can its neishbors do but quarantine
against is?
In Virginia smallpox has prevailed here
and there for a year or two. That Is a
fact established beyond all question.
True, the disease has presented itself in
an extraordinarily mild form. and the
percentage of deaths has been small. In
some cases. indeed persons have had the
disease and gotten well OF it without
calling In a physician. On the other
hand. death has occurred through failure
TO have medical attention. or despite all
that the physician could do
The disease has not died out In this
State, and now. as the cold weather ap-
breaches, a considerable number Of cases
ere being reported. What is more we
cannot foretell whether the disease is
going TO continue in mild form, or will
develop its old-tlme malignancy. No ply
stefan that we know Of is willing 20 stake
his reputation that the disease will be no
worse in the future than it has been in
the recent past.
What. then, ought we city people and
country people to do? Clearly there is
but one thing 10 do-and that is TO cause
q general vaccination TO be made where
II has not been made already. Provision
should be made, too. for isolating and
the disease. All this will cost money. No
doubt about that. But a hundred dollars
now spent in precautionary measures
may save thousands hereafter. II was
said OF old that an ounce OF prevention IS
worth pound OF cure, and II is a sound
adage. Therefore. it is the bounden duty
OF each county and city in Virginia not
protected by vaccination TO begin SPEND
ing fits money now while it will be most
effectual for good. If there is no money
in the treasury then IL should be raised
by taxation or borrowed. If the public
officials are Indifferent as to the public
danger, they should be aroused TO it by
intelligent citizens. No community has
the right to expect that II will he wholly
exempt from the disease. Least of all,
should community which takes no pre-
cautonary measures indulge that hope,
When smallpox once begins TO spread
nothing but vaccination will stay ii.
Therefore. we urge general vaccination.
No community should wait for the
Legislature 20 come TO its relief. In the
FIRST place, # will be the middle Of De-
cember before the Legislature settles
down 10 general business In the next
place, representatives OF counties which
have spent county money for vaccination
will not be anxious TO vote money out of
the State Treasury 10 help counties which
refuse 10 help themselves.
Again we say. let each county and city
look out for Itself or course we DO not
advise against neighboring counties act
ing I'm concert. ~ no means. SO far
from that we think such policy very
commendable. and II might be adopted
with great advantage in most sections of
tho State.
One word more-don't hesitate. or pro-
crastinate.