Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-03-22
The Control of Smallpox Due to
Vaccination

Vaccination
DR.. H. NJ. Bracken OF Minnesota, to
whose article on smallpox in the Vir-
elnia Health Board Bulletin THE
GAZETTE referred several week ago,
further says:
ut remains for the medical proffes'
sion to again demonstrate the unjust
ness OF it's critics who advance the
argument that the physician favors
compulsory vaccination for pecuniary,
reasons. II q physician would live up
to what he knows to be true, namelyt
he protection OF vaccination agains
small pox, and would insist upon this
wsll-domonstrate fact and leave the
laity to follow his teachings or go its
own way, one Of two things would re-
suit: the laymen would demand laws
compelling vaccination, or smallpox
would again become scourge upon
the face OF the earth as 1t was before
the days Of Jenner II the laymen re-
fused to follow such well grounded
knowledge az that OF the projection OF
vaccination againct smallpox, they
should be the sufferers for their persis-
tent prejudice or ignorance. While 1t
is true that medical men are constantly
endeavoring to prevent disease, there
are many people who, because OF ig-
norance or for selfish reasons, refuse
To recognize In the physician one who
IL willing to destroy his own souree OF
income. Many charge that the medical
profession is actuated by purely selfish
motives. ON inclined to think that
medical men should be satisfied with
telling what they know to be fact re-
gardins the protection OF vaccination
and allow the laity to follow their ad-
vice anu enact compulsory vaccination
laws, or ignore their advice and suffer
the consequences.
II smallpox Is properly handled IN q
community where compulsory vacci-
nation has been, and Is still, In force,
there need be no restriction on the
members OF the household, save that
they should be properly protected by
a good vaccination scar. The patient
should be isolated as a case OF dipn-
liberia or scarlet fever, and no one al
lowed to sea him or come in contact
with him, save those who are to nurse
or administer to him, who should be
required to take the proper precautions
On entering and leaving his apartment
DR.. Bracken, in his most. excellent
article, draws the following deduc-
tions. which appear to be sound aud
well taken:
First. 1t has been fully demonstrat-
ed that the proper enforcement OF vac
clnation will prevent the occurrence OF
smallpox.
Second. 1t has been thoroughly de-
monstrated that 1t ia impossible to
control smallpox by any bnown ethod
of quarantine.
Third. Recognizing these state
inents as true, our efforts to control
smallpox should be based upon vac
cinaton rather than upon quarantine.
Fourth. Without vaccination there
Is no reason why smallpox in time
should not again become as great
scourge throughought the world as it
was In the pre-vaccination era.
Fifth. Compulsory vaccination laws
are important. These should be de-
manded by the laity.
Sixth. Physicians should use their
influence In favor OF vaccination, for
they know this to be the only satisfac-
tory means OF preventing small pox,
but they should not place themselves |
in false light by trying to force leg
islation demanding compulsory vac
clnation laws.
Seventh. Ths people should demand
compulsory vaccination laws as
ms ans Of self-protection. IL the peo-
pie choose to follow the leadership OF
faddists against vaccination, rather
than the scientific teaching and actual
demonstrations in favor Of vaccination,
then upon the people should rest the
responsibility for the consequences
resulting from failure to protect
against smallpox by means Of
thorough vaccination.
Eighth. Compulsory vaccination
laws should be as rigid as those OF
Germany. which require vaccination
In Infancy and revaecinatIon at pub.
erty.
Ninth. QUARANTINE Is either evidence
OF lack Of scieutlfic knowledge as to
the proper means to bs employed in
the control OF a communicable disease
or inability to apply such knowledge.
Tenth. The practical application OF
known scientific facts will control the
spread Of other communicable diseases
than smallpox. Why, then, should
We not make use Of scientific knowledge
In the control of smallpox rather
than to continue the known impraci-
cable methods Of quarantine now in
vogue.
Eleventh. The attempt to control
smallpox by means OF quarantine
should be abandoned, for 1t is I'm scen-
tific, impracticable, expensive and an
absolute failure.
Twelfth. Tho present methods OF
quarantine for smallpox should not
be suddenly discontinued, but after