The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-13
A TREATIES ON SMALL POX.

DIR. FAINT Writes Interestingly OF
the Disease and Vaccination
Scores The Doctors for Wrane.
ling, and Gives the Out Siders
Some Plain Talk.
Mr.. EDIToR:-.So much having been
said about small pox, prompts me to
write this article, hoping to inform
the public in regard to this loathsome
disease. The early history of small
pox is obscure. Arabia seems to be
the country that gave it birth, but it
reaches all climes and prevails in all
seasons. But prior to $50 A. D. it
was not recognized as q distinct
malady. 1t is q curious fact show.
ing the laxity of observations in
former times that small pox, measels,
chicken pox and scarlet fever we're
all regarded as but different forms of
the same disease. 1t was not until
the middle of the seventeenth CEN
tury that these vital errors were cor
rected and specific treatment given
these distinct diseases. So late as
prior to 1708 it was not understood
that small pox was contagious and as
no means were used to restrain it's
spread it periodically ravaged the
world. The fatality of small pox
was aggravated by the old time treat
ment. Then it was thought that the
eruption was bnt an effect of nature
to clear the system ofretained poison
GUS material. This theory brought
heated drinks and unventilated rooms
and hot drinks which worked
much mischief. But the treatment
of today is more successful, and yet
unmodified smallpox remains a terrible
disease. The mortality is unmod-
flied. Smallpox ranges between % to
so per cent. But here we notice
very curious fact that where it is in
duced by inoculation the mortality
is not more than l in 700 cases.
Why should the virus when directly
introduced through the skin be so
highly less fatal than when inhaled
from the atmosphere.
Inoculation with small pox virus
was the first step in curbing the des-
troyer. Edward Jennier, after years
of reflection and experience, demon
strated the value of vaccination, and
thus became one of the worlds great
est benefactors. lie met with con-
tempt and ridicule on all sides. At
first he used virus from the cow but
he soon found out that the protecting
virus could as we'll be taken from
persons suffering from COW pox as
from the COW. He soon demonstrated
a great fact which was to save mil
lions Of lives and benefit humanity
through all time. 1t was said to
him that he was debasing humanity
by introducing a cow disease. From
the pulpit he was traduced, and his
discovery denounced as "diabolical."
The citizens feared that horns would
develop upon the helds of those vac
cinated. We are t,ld by those who
know, that the true value of vaccina-
tion lies in two directions. First, its
protective power, we find in one epi-
demic out of 1000 cases, only one
and six-tenths per cent. of vaccinated
persons had the disease and but one
vaccinated person died. Second, its
modifying power. Perfect immunity
is not obtained in all cases, but the
disease is 80 modified as to be of little
harm. 1t has been observed that
persons recently vaccinated are more
perfectly immune than are those who
years before were vaccinated. Vac.
cination does not prove lifetime
protection. Many persons think they
are we'll protected because they can
show a large, smooth and glistning
scar, all such marks are spurious
and Of no value. A scar, to indi cate
protection, should present pited sur
face regardless of size. The disease
develops in about twelve days after
exposure, vaccination gives protection
in seven days, so it Lay be made to
modify the disease already contracted.
Vaccination is not entirely free from
objections, it must be choice be-
tween two evils. Some disagreeabie
disease may be transmitted by it, but
they weigh nothing against the good
acc omplished. Prior to Jennier' s
time the world was periodic ,lIy dc,
vast.ted by the awful disease, which
is now Stayed and could with concer,
Of action be stamped out of the