The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-12-02
Warning Against Smallpox.

To the Health Officials. Physicians
and People OF Kentucky
Since January. 1898, smallpox has
prevailed. more OF less extensively,
in every county In Kentucky, with a
total OF over 25.9OO cases and 800
deaths. and costing in cash more
than oue-half million dollars. besides
an estimated loss from interference
with business and travel Of some
thing over one and one-half million
dollars Properly expended. this sum
would have been more than enough
10 have guarded the health inter-
ests Of our people for a generation.
besides keeping every resident Of
the State yaccinated so that the exist
enec Of anything but an imported
case Of smallpox would have been
possible.
With the advent OF cold weather
cases of the disease are being re-
ported in widely separated sections in
many counties. and We feel that II is
again our duty to warn our officials
nd people Of tue necessity OF
prompt action TO prevent serious and
expensive local outbreaks. Fortu-
.nately. the prevention OF this dis
ease is as certain and safe as It IS
cheap and easy. and although it is un-
lawful to remain unyaccinated at any
time. in the face Of existing condi-
tons intelligent people should not
wait for the law to force them to
evident duty Vaccination and re-yac-
cinauon. properly done with relia-
ble virus, is n sure preventive, and
is entirely free from danger II
should always be done by a compe-
tent physician. with clean hands and
Instruments, at three points. at
least an inch apart. on well clean
ID arm. and should dry thoroughly
before the sleeve is drawn down.
Fresh. reliable. commercial virus can
be procured. hut It is difficult to
Seep It active. and the Board pre-
fers and recommends the use fhu-
naniEed virus, especially in the count
~ districts where the family physi-
ian can select Il himself from the
Irms Of healthy children and young
5irls. Il is more certain 20 take,
auses less soreness. and is believed
20 give better and longer protection.
llt the scabs are wrapped in tissue
paper. sealed mp and put in dry,
ool place. they can be kept almost
Indefinitely.
Physicians everywhere should be on
their quart and should isolate the
inst case aud ,accinate all exposed al
ince Grown people almost never
nave chickcn-pox When un-yaccinat
ed grown people have contagious
2rupuye disease. under existing cir
cumstances they should be isolated
ind treated as suspicious until th'
health authorities decide it is mo-
smallpox. Al should remember tha
} there are no such diseases as "ele-
phant itch. African itch" army
tch.' cedar itch.' or "Cubal
Itch and these are Niger names fo
, smallpox. Every person in the Stat
! who has not already been vaccinat
I'd should do so at once, and the tx
uorant or negligent should be com
{ PEELED TO protect themselves, for TIL
benefit OF their communities, by tn,
: proper authorities. The laws on thi
subject are ample and sufficient, AM
= whenever smallpox spreads in an,
/ community it is the fault Of tn
i, Health or fiscal officers and should b
charged TO them In preventing tn
T spread Of this horrible disease thi
!. Board asks and expects the supper
n OF all intelligent people, Copies q
b circulars, describing the modern metl
$ ods of preventing this and other cor
tagious diseases, may be had free {
h expense upon application to the
Board at Bowling Green.
o ny order of the Board
J. NJ. MATHEWS, NJ. D.. Pres.
J. n. MCCORMACK. NJ. D.. Sc