Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1904-12-01
HOW no VAcciNATE.
Warning Against Smallpox
and Some Startling
Figures.

Since January, 1898, smallpox has
prevailed, more or less extensively
in every county in Kentucky, with a
total Of over 25, 900 cases and 3O0C
deaths, and costing in cash more than
one-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 to have guarded the health
interests of our people for a gener-
alton, besides keeping every resident
of the State vaccinated so that the
existence of anything but an import
ed case of smallpox would have
been impossible.
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
it is again our duty to warn our of
ficials and people of the necessity of
prompt action to prevent serious and
expensive local outbreaks. Fortu-
nately, the prevention of this disease
is as certain and safe as it is cheap
and easy, and although it is unlawful
to remain unvaccinated at any time, |
in the face of existing conditions in
telligent people should not wait for
the law to force them to evident du-
ty Vaccination and re-vaccination,
properly done with reliable virus, is
a sure preventive, and is entirely
free from danger. 1t should always
be done by a competent physician,
with clean hands and Instruments; at
three points, at least an inch apart,
on a well cleaned arm. and should
dry thoroughly before the sleeve is
drawn down. Fresh, reliable, COM
mercial virus can be procured, but
it is difficult to keep active. and the
Board prefers and recommends the
use of humanized virus, especially in
the country districts where the fam
lily physician can select it himself
from the arms Of healthy children
and young girls 1t is more certain
to take, causes less soreness, and is
believed to give better and longer
protection. If the scabs are. wrap
ped in tissue paper, sealed up and
put in a dry clean place. they can
be kept almost indefinitely.
Physicians everywhere should be
on their guard and should isolate the
first case and vaccinate all exposed
at once Grown people almost never
have chicken-pox. When unvacci-
mated, grown people have a conta-
gious eruptive disease, under exist
ing circumstances they should be isO-
lated and treated as suspicious until
the health authorities decide it is not
smallpox. All should remember
that there are no such diseases as
elephant itch, African itch,
army itch. - cedar itch. or Gu
ban itch, and these are ''nigger"
names for smallpox. Every person
in the State who has not already
been vaccinated should do so at once,
and the ignorant or negligent should
be compelled to protect themselves,
for the benefit of their communities,
by the proper authorities. The laws
on this subject are ample and suffic-
lent, and whenever smallpox spreads
in any community it is the fault of
the health or fiscal officials and
should be charged to them. In pre-
venting the spread of this horrible
disease this board asks and expects
the support Of all intelligent people.
Copies Of circulars, describing the
modern methods Of preventing this
and other contagious diseases, may
be had free Of expense upon appli-
cation to the Board at Bowling
Green.
j. M. MATHEWS, M. d. Pres,
J. N. MCCORMACK, M. D., Sec.