Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-24
Or. BEATTY ON
VACCINATION.
Issues aCircular to the People OF
Utah Regarding IT.
WHAT HIS VIEWS ARE
Makes Comparisons and iaihs OF
uAuImdesr aud Their Cause Opin-
ions Of the Medical Fraternity

DR. Beatty secretary Of the state
board Of health. Issued circular ON
smallpox conditions in Utah when he
proposes to have widely distributed
throughout the state o. the expense OF
the commonwealth. The circular WIN
also contain pictures of patients aililci-
ed with smallpox showing the disease
in various types and stages. THIS CIR
cuiar was made the subject Of an exc
haustlye talk on the part Of Dr. Beatty
before the Joint committees OF the SEM
ate and House today a large NUMBER
Of citizens were present 70 express their
views on the matter also, The COM
mlttee held two sessions, one this fore
noon and another late this afternoon
DIR. Beattys circular Is as follows
PRESENT SITUATION.
For the past three years smallpox
has extensively prevailed throughout
the United states. having been intro
duced IL Is believed, boy soldiers return
ing from Cuba. The disease first made
Its appearance IN Utah about "a year
ago. ana since that time the state mas
been visited with an epidemic more eA-
tenslye than that which has been eA-
perlenced by any other state IN the
Union, despite the fayoring circum-
stance that II Is less denseiy populated.
There have been reported 20 the
state board OF health by the local
boards more than 5000 cases, ana
through reliable sources OF iniouua-
ton. the conclusion is warranted that
there have been at least 1000 additional
cases which have not been reported.
There have been tWenty-aiN deaths ana
several hundred cases OF the severe
continent type OF the disease. The per
centage Of the latter So constantly in-
creaslng. and there IS grave reason 10
fear that the epidemic VIII sooner OF
later resume a malignant type. tn,
disease has occurred In 100 towns and
villages. and in all but four counties
Aside from the suffering dishBufe.
ment and death which have been oc'
casioned. the State has sustained severe
financial loss, ana today Is confronted
with the most serious problem In iu
history. II becomes the duty OF al
good citizens. ~ well as boards Of
health. 10 earnestly consider the situa
tion. and do an Ga their power TO com
bat ana stomg out the terrible pes
which has insNously gained such
firm foothold that only the adoption o.
the most efficient and radical measures
viii prevent rs continuance and IN
creased spread Tor years 10 come, a
the cost of lives, suffering and Treasure
beyond calculation.
COMPARISON
In this connection It is important q
study the probable causes for the ex
cesslye prevalence Of the disease II
Utah compared with that Of the othe
more populous states In the frs
place. II is found that many people, be
cause of Is generally mild character
have ignored and discredited the dag
nosis of the medical profession, and as
Stunning that IL vas what they style
Manila itch" Cuban Itch and vari
Que other imaginary diseases, hav
been disposed 20 regard IL lightly, con
ceaiing It's presence and deliberatel
exposing others Chiefly responsible
however for the difficulty and fallur
In Fuppresslng the outbreak, has bee
the
SURPRISING ATTITUDE
OF the people generally toward vaccine
tlon-the only recognized preventive
In other states. the laws and publ
sentiment are such that, when small
pox appears there Is an immediate n
sort-for the most part voluntary
universal vaccination and revaCcu,
"a. alH4 oh D.. lodi
time IN the complete eradication OF d
malady, owing TO the fact that no SUI
ceptible persons are permitted 10 u
main In the community
IL 10 apropo to quote from a recel
editorial by Or. George +, Shrady
the Medical Record Who IN one OF u
most eminent medical authorities iu q
world:
The outbreak OF smallpox on u
west side of this city although so q
not especially alarming, viii doubtle
tend 10 impress upon the minds OF
inhabitants the need OF vaccination al
revaccination. Indeed, " IL has III
effect the activity OF the disease
strlcted though Il be-will prove
blessing m disguise IL speaks ",
umes for the intelligence Of the Amel
can people az a whole. and OF this sta
In particular. that there has never be-
evidence % an organized opposition
vaccination Among a minority OF [
inhabitants Of the United states a ce
tain prejudice against Vaccination q
lists but with the bulk OF the pupul
ton the sentiment with regard % {
operation is one OF apathy or rath
OF indifference. IL Us go Ions since
epidemic ~ smallpox on a large Sc.
and IN a viruent form appeared in q
part Of the country. mat many persu
are skeptical as Co the dangers to
feared from such am occurrence. Wit
out wishing I'm any way 90 act the D.
az alarmists. Ne would, neverthelc
sound a note of warning. and adv
parents not TO be lulled into state
false security The fact that as CO.
munity we are well protected cam
be denied. but II the practice Of ".
cination be allowed 90 fan into disu
it's impossible 20 say for how long
happy condition OF affairs VIII last
Following the appearance of me ca
90 which he refers more than LOO.
people were vaccinated iu New "
In three weeks during December u
without the occurrence of @ single y,
ous complication. When the fact
borne IN mind that this IS about Il
times as many people as there are
Utah % furnishes a commentary ON
safety Of the procedure.
CAUSE OF ATTITUDE.
The testimony OF Dr. shrdy 20