The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-09-01
An Address TO the Public b. the Indiana
State Medical Society. Upon the
Prevention Of tuberculosis and
SmalIrOx.

FTeNSuliOu VI luDtISutosis duu
Smallpox.
1t has ever been the duty and the
pride Of the medical profession to
try to protect the public against
avoidable disease, bodily injuries
and unsanitary methods ard con-
ditions of life. The physician has
always been taught, and the true
physician has always acted upon
the conviction, that he was the
guardian of the public health, and
that his constant endeavcr should
be to prevent as well as cure dis
ease. The Indiana State Medical
Society now gathered in lis fiftieth
annual meeting, having heretofore
repeatedly, as the times seem to in
dicate, exerted its influence TO pro-
mote the public health, and being
mindful of its continuing duty in
this respect, feels called upon to
address the public " on the preven-
ton of two most serious diseases,
smallpox and tuberculosis; the one,
the pest of the last century but now
. hapl lily avoidable by well-known
means, the other the present but
not hopeless scourge Of our race.
The State Medical Society feels
warranted and impelled to address
to the public the following PROPOSE
) tions concerning tuberculosis.
/. That tuberculosis is caused
by certain known germs.
2. That while heredity may in
many instances furnish a favorable
soil for infection, in a large proper
/ ton Of the cases the disease is ac-
quired after birth.
) 3. That the germs are present
and demonstrable in the products
thrown of from the seat Of disease
in men and animals.
, f. That these germs may. es-
pecially within doors, retain their
life and virulence for long time,
being demonstrably capable of re-
producing the ulStd-e.
;. That while in most cases it
Z is impossible, on account Of the in
/. sidious development OF the disease,
2 to demonstrate the exact time and
place of infection, the fact of such
: infection is unquestionable.
t q. That ty proper and simple
means, thoroughly carried out 10
. prevent the scattering of these liv
. ing germs from men and animals,
r the danger surrounding persons and
animals so affected, and the spread
Of the disease to others, may in a
large measure be prevented.
z. That a rational manner OF
life, as regards the simple, funda
mental factors of health and devel-
opment, namely: Food, rest,
avoidance of nervous overstrain
, and abundance of pure air, especi
/ ally during childhood and youth
, will do much to for.Ify the body
against tubercular infection.
4 5. That the Society does, upon
. upon the basis of these facts, invite
and urge the public TO join with the
physical Is and sanitsry boards OF
the State in instituting and carrying
out the rational measures having
these happy ends in view.
\ SMALLPOX.
\ 1. That the ordinary sanitary
measures thoroughly applied
though of the highest value and by
no means to be neglected, have
nevertheless not proven sufficient to
control the spread Of smallpox.
2. That in vaccination and re-
vaccination accurately an d
thoroughly applied, there is an al
most absolute preventive OF small
pox.
4 3. That though with the lapse
of years after successful vaccination
the protective influence may de-
cline and smallpox may be con-
tracted, the disease is robbed OF
most Of its dangers.
\ 4. That properly applied, in he
hands and throughout under the
direction of competent physicians,
vaccination is attended with but in
significant risks, the disease pre-
venting and death preventing eff cts
vastly outweighing such risks.
! 5. That upon the basis of these
convictions, the State Medical So
ciety does invite and urge the pub
} lie to full confidence in the pre-
lventive value OF vaccination against
smallpox, and does urge the public
to relax in no direction its vigilance
} lin the carrying out Of this disease
; preventing and life saving measure.
} BY the committee,
G. A. DAUGHERTY, South Bend.
GEORGE KNAPP, Nincennes.
THEODORE POTTER, indianapolis.
! Attest: +. G. HEATH,
Secretary State Medical Society.