The sun., 1902-04-27
ONLY ONE SMALLPOX CURE.
That Is Compulsory Vaccination. Dr. Azei
Ames says-Example In Porto Rico.


While the United States and Great Britain
are both suffering under the scourge Of
smallpox and in England, particularly, the
disease has reached an alarming stage Of
progress, Porto Rico. which under Span
ish rule was hotbed Of smallpox, is prac-
tically immune from the present epidemic.
For the ten years prior to American
occupation Of the island the deaths from
smallpox averaged 62l per annum. To-
day in a population OF 9eO 900. the annual
death rate from the disease does not ex-
coed two. Smallpox is practically non
existent.
The result Is hailed by the friends Of
vaccination as demonstrating conclusively
it's triumph as a preventive Of smallpox.
After having set an example TO the world
by introducing general vaccination Great
Britain four years ago modified her Com
pulsory Vaccination law by adding TO it a
conscience clause under which any
person having conscientious convictions
as TO the harmful influence Of vaccination
was exempted from the law and the minors
In the conscientious persons family were
exempted with him.
In Porto Rico the very opposite policy
has been followed. Early In 1890, imme-
diately after the American occupation Of
the island, Gen. Henry. the Governor, issued
was strictly carried out
Now while Magistrates in England,
under the influence of the smallpox alarm,
are openly disregarding the conscience
clause In the law and a strong agitation for
its repeal is growing, in Porto Rico the
American surgeons are rejoicing over the
results Of Gen. Henry's order and are laud
ing him az a far-seeing sanitarian.
DR.. Azel Ames, who was the director
Of Gen; Henry's vaccination department in
Porto Rico. has written TO the Medical Neus
calling attention to the remarkable immun-
ity Of the island from the present smallpox
epidemic on the one hand and the rapid
and general spread OF the disease here
| and in England on the other. Dr. Ames
draws from these facts the conclusion that
compulsory vaccination is essential to
| prevent a return Of the epidemic.
DIR. Ames finds the chief cause Of the
virulence of the present outbreak of small
pox In the diminished protection from
the disease due to the existence Of large
non-immune element OF the population, i,
which has either outworn its vaccine pro-
| lection or has never had any.
| Contributing causes he finds in the un-
| familiarity Of the present generation Of
! physicians with smallpox and the conse-
| OF diagnosis; the fancied security and
| consequent relaxed vigilance in enforcing
| protective regulations, due to long periods
| of immunity from the disease: and last
| -the growth OF n more self-asse rtive and
| mistakenly aggressive individuality which
until more fully informed. often resents
and resists the idea of any legal interfer-
| ence with personal liberty, and, lacking
| full knowledge, Is credulous Of all bug
bears and dist rustful Of all vaccination l..
and other sanitary measures to suppress
| the disease"
With the present great factories in which
| single sparks Of contagion readily light the
wide spreading fires of an epidemic. DR.
| Ames saws, with unprecedented facilities
Of communication. increased use Of public
| conveniences and common sources Of
domestic utility and with tho enormous
growth Of public assemblies in theatres,
| churches and schools. the task ~ fighting
smallpox is no light one He describes la
| detail Gen Henry's vigorous attack on
! the problem in Porto Rico. and it, success
| In conclusion he says.
Vaccination alone did il, and will do
| il effectively wherever compulsory legis-
lation, properly enforced, secures its bene-
IN. oil