The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-16
VACCINATION IN MEXICO.


AT the session of the American Public
Health Association in New Orleans paper
on Human Vaccine as a Preventive for
Smallpox" prepared by DR.. Eduardo
Liceaga, was read by Senior Liceaga, his
son. 1t is given in full, DR.. Lceaga being
an international authority on the subject.
In 1856 DR.. Ramiez, of the City of Mexico
read paper on this subject, and in the
Thirteenth International Congress, held at
Moscow in 1897. upheld for the first time
in my life the above stated thesis. that
Jenners vaccine we'll preserved and care
fully propagated, makes people immune
against smallpox for life. In the following
year 1 had this paper translated into Eng
lish and read it before this. our beloved
association. DR.. +. Barnaldez and the late
DR.. Garciadiego read at Indianapolis pa
pers on the same subject. These opinions
began to awaken the interest which the
members of our association could not re-
press in such a matter, the more so as
many American soldiers, then in the Phil
ippine islands, had taken the smallpox with
fatal result to many cases, notwithstand-
ing they had been carefully vaccinated be-
fore being sent to the seat OF war. Such
facts caused the association to name a
standing committee, and DIR. Bryce, then
our president. suggested to me the idea of
speaking again at this meeting for 1902 OF
everything relative 10 vaccination per-
formed after the original method, |. G..
from arm TO arm. That vaccination is the
only way or preventing the attacks OF
smallpox is a question no longer open 10
discussion. No matter IL some skeptical
and eccentric people have fancied them
selves able to lead league against vac
cination, the greater number of men among
civilized nations are convinced OF the moral
duty they owe to infants OF making them
immune against smallpox.
The question which / Will now start In
our midst is not, OF course, that or the
power, or lack of power OF vaccine inocu-
lations upon this subject, but only that
of several methods 10 attain the goal we
have in view, which is the best one for the
purpose. In order TO study in the most
mpassionate way the proposed question.
/ wish 10 repeat the list of facts and argu-
ments which have led me TO this, my con-
viction.
First-In Mexico the NEGOTIATIONS from
arm TO arm. after having carefully selected
vacciniferous child quite understandable,
have been nearly exclusively employed
since 1904 up to this date.
Second-The preservation OF the vaccine
virus in the City of Mexico has been in
trusted TO only five physicians in whole
! century.
Third-These men have made a point
the only hobby in their lives. Of preserv-
ing the original purity OF the virus. Sc
| far they have succeeded. They did also
make another point OF performing this
/ operation without deviating in the least
/ from the rules which seven years before
had been laid down by Jenner himself.
/ Fourth-The central Office in the City OF
/ Mexico gathers the lymph from the chill
dren who are not under the slightest sus-
picion of being able 10 transmit some in
fictitious disease. The tubes with the gath
l cred virus having been closed by means OF
the alcohol lamp, the official sends them
/ TO the capitals OF each OF the States. those
1 towns forming now secondary distributine
centers. where the same rules we have
/ just spoken OF are strictly adhered 10. as
/ they are obeyed In the central office. The
most fastidious care about tine choice OF
| candidates for propagation Is held 10 be the
principal duty and care or the vaccinatinl
/ physicians. Only strong and healthy chill.
/ dren. healthy beyond the risk Of the small.
est suspicion. are admitted as vaccniferous
The vaccination Is performed as rul.
we only exceptionally depart II this can
not ha done the vaccination Is with some o.