Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-18
MOSTLY SMALLPOX
Those Cases That Have Been In
vestigated by the State
Board of Health.
INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS
Some of Whom Have Pronounced
the Disease Chicken
pox.

sent by the state board of health to
all physicians practicing in Illinois.
In view of the recent temperance
of smallpox i'm number of towns and
the probability that there will be a
larger number of eases this year than
last, the facts contained should be
of interest to the general public as
well as the doctors. The substance
of the circular is rs follows:
To the Physicians of Illinois: Not
withstanding the well demonstrated
incontestible fact that chicl<enpoX is
prominently a disease of childhood.
il is known that during the present
widespread epidemic of modified
smallpox in the state of Illinois and
elsewhere, many cases of this disease.
occurring in both early and late adult
life have been pronounced chicken
poX. This diagnosis in the majority
of instances, seemed to have been oc-
casioned by the mild nature of the
present outlook which tended to con-
fuse physicians who were conversant
only-in many cases, through the me-
dunn of their text books alone
with the typical form of smallpox,
which has usually prevailed hereto
fore.
Rare In Adults.
The occurrence of chickenpoX i'm
adults is so rare as to have escaped
the observation of many of those who
have devoted years to the study of ex-
anthcmatous diseases. That it does
occasionally exist during adult life is
not denied, but it's appearance at this
sinft
comment. All cases of so-called
chickenpox i'm adults. seen by this
board during the present epidemic
presented well-defined variolous
eruption.
In support of the assertion that
chicken poX rarely attacks other than
children, and that an epideIhic erup-
tive disease affecting adults and chill
dren alike is not chickenpoX, the fol-
lowing quotations on the subject,
from well recognized text books of un-
questioned authority, are hereby sub
mitted:
''Naricella is essentially n disease of
early life. occurring almost eNclu-
sively in infants and young children"
Peppers System of Medicine.
"ChickenpoX is a disease of child
hood and rarely attacks any above
ten years of age."-Practice of Medi-
cine, Bartholow.
'.VariceIla affects children of all
ages, and occurs almost always in
childhood. Practice of Medicine,
Anders.
''Varicclla is confined exclusively to
childhood up TO the age of ten, and is
rare after twelve. American Text
Book of Theory and Practice of Med
icine.
~ disease of childhood. ''-Ameri-
can Text Book of Medicine.
Precautions Urged.
In conclusion. the state board of
health desires to emphasize the ne
cesSitv for the observation Of the
most stringent precautions i'm every
case of eruptive disease, particularly
one resembling chickenpoX or small
poX. The failure of n physician to
readily recognize smallpox, or a neg
lect TO recommend the adoption of
extraordinary care in all cases of
suspicious nature. may at any time
cause the beginning of an outbreak
in community, entailing much sick
ness and loss of life. panic, Interrupt
tion to travel and depression of bust
ness, and a financial loss impossible
to estimate. The most rigid isolation
and quarantine is recommended in
every case concerning which there is
the slightest uncertainty and the
of such until all doubts
are set aside. Especially should a
eruption in adults be
with great suspicion. 1t
may not be smallpox; it is extremely
unlikely TO be chickenpoX. An erup-
tive disease affecting children and
adults alike is most certainly not |
OF Porto Rican chickenpoX." so
many cases of which have been re-
ported in Illinois and other states re-
Gently, little need be said. No sani- !
tary authority has knowledge of any |
type of variceIla which is peculiar to |
the island of Porto Rico. Every case |
of Porto Rican chickenpox," Cuban
Itch" elephant itch" and elephant |
seen by the officials of |
this board during the past three |
months was found to be smallpox.
Published by order of the board.
j. a. Egan, NJ. D., Secretary.