The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-01
THE WAY TO ESCAPE SMALLPOX

| now extends literally from the noun
/ tainS to the sea, being present at FIVE
1 different points-to say nothing of its
! prevalence in the adjoining States of
| Virginia and South Carolina. 1t is now
liable to make its appearance anywhere
ut any time. 1t is our duty to warn the
people and to show them way of es-
cape That way is vaccinations When
Il case that is even suspected of being
smallpox occurs in your community. be
vaccinated, or re-vaccinated if it has
been done before, and above all things
see that the children are vaccinated.
Unfortunately the proverb Doctors diff
/ fer" is all too true. but we beg of you
not to listen to those who having no
connection with the case whatever. take
1t upon themselves to deny that it is
smallpox, calling it chckenpox or some
thing of the sort. and encouraging re-
siStance to vaccination and other pre-
cautions. In several instances in this
State where there was Il dispute among
the doctors the disease has invariably
proven to be smallpox.
No quarantine can compare with vac
cination in efficiency as Il preventive
measure
We append circular of the board,
just prepared. entitled 'Smallpox-Its
Prevention" Read it:
Smallpox is one of the most contagious
and one of the most loathsome of all
diseases.
1t is now widely scattered over the
United States, and is prevailing at
half dozen points in our own State to-
day. There is danger of a widespread
epidemic among our people.
Under these circumstances every erup-
ton appearing after two or three days
of headache, backache and fever; or
even after merely Il general bad feeling
especially if most prominent on the face
and hands, should be regarded as small
poX, and the proper precautions taken
promptly and continued until seen by Il
reliable physician.
Be not deceived by false prophets who
seek popularity by prophesying smooth
things and call it chickenpox. Accord
ing to one of the highest authorities,
with a very few exceptions, chickenpoX
is confined exclusively to childhood up
to the age of II, and is rare after ten.
SO if the patient is past childhood it is
almost surely smallpox, although it may
be a mild attack But mild cases can
cause the seyerest form in the un-vac-
cinated.
Fortunately. thanks to the genius and
courage Of the immortal country doctor,
Edward Jenner. we have almost sure
protection against the disease within the
reach of all in vaccination. If properly
done it is practically as certain pre-
ventive as a previous attack of small
In, a. al ~
million of people, in 1871, before vac
cination was made compulsory, the num-
Der of deaths from smallpox was 143,-
coo, while in 1897, under compulsory
vaccination it was only ZIG.
When smallpox is present in COM
munity those who have been vaccinated
before should be vaccinated again as its
virtues disappear more or less with time
There seems to be prejudice against
vaccination on the part of some. This
prejudice is due to Ignorance Of the
facts. The effects of vaccination are
really serious so seldom that they need
not be taken into account. With the
improved virus from the cow there is
not the slightest danger of transmitting
such human diseases, as consumption,
scrofula of syphilis.
Having this sure preventive right at
hand. a panic on the subject of smallpox
is utterly inexcusable. Those who are
vaccinated-but only those-can laugh
at smallpox, and 80 on with their usual
business in confidence.
Whenever smallpox appears in COM
munity it is all important that the sick
person should be separated from the
IL, .I,l., l.
visit him, and only his physician and
nurse should see him. In fact, when
smallpox is prevailing visits of mere
sympathy or curiosity should not be paid
to any case of sickness until its nature
has been declared by the attending ply
stefan.
All persons who have been exposed to
smallpox should be vaccinated imme
diately and detained or quarantined in
comfortable quarters for ID days from
the time of exposure-until the danger
of their having it has passed. Before
leaving the house of detention they
should take thorough bath and put on
clean clothes from the skin out. The
clothes in which they were exposed
should be boiled or otherwise disinfected
before being worn again, or removed
from the house. The poison of smallpox
can be carried in the clothes for an in
definite time.
Upon the occurrence of smallpox Ill
community the people should interest
themselves in seeing that the regulations
to prevent its spread are obeyed,. for
the sake of the business of the town, as
well as their own personal safety. This
applies with special force to the opera
tives in factories and mills, for the rea-
son that the shutting down of mill is
such a serious matter to them. Employ
ment elsewhere cannot be expected, be-
cause no mill would receive hands from
another mill among whose people the dis
ease existed Operatives at work are
less liable to contract the disease than
| if idle and engaged in social visiting.
| After the death or recovery of a per-
son who has had smallpox, everything
| that has been in contact with him should
| be disinfected in the most thor0uEh man
ner by the health officer.
| Under the law chapter 214, Laws of
| 1899 vaccination. quarantine, ETC., are
under the control of the county superin-
tendent of health, or the medical health
officer of city or town where there Is
| ono