The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1909-09-01
SHALL We vAcaNArEa

through the columns of your
paper just few thoughts as TO
vaccination in the public
schools?
After a careful study as to
the situation In this county.
we have arrived at the follow
ing conclusions as to the posi-
ton that should be taken by
school authorities with regards
to vaccination in the public
schools, and our conclusions.
together with reasons for the
same are about as follows:
First. That the conditions in
our county are such as 20
cause US 90 doubt the wisdom
Of enforcing the law in a Qener-
al way, at least, not until a
little more thorough education
al campaign along this line has
been conducted. The lettering
Of the law is as follows:
Teachers shall require of
pupils cleanliness of person and I
good behavior during their at
tendance at school, and on
their way thither and back to
their homes.
Persons suffering with con
tagiOus diseases shall be ex-
cluded from the public free
schools while in such condition
Every teacher and pupil shall. /
within ten days after entering I
public free school, furnish q
certificate from a reputable
physician certifying that such
teacher or pupil has been sue
cesstuily vaccinated, or is en-
titled 20 exemption by reason
OF peculiar physical condition:
provided, that nothing i'm this
section shall preclude a school
board from requiring immedi-
ate vaccination IN case of an
epidemic of smallpox. or the
annual revacciuation Of those
who have not furnished certifi-
Gates Of proper vaccination
provided further, that the oper-
alton of SO much of this section [
as concerns vaccination NAV {
be suspended in whole or in
part 10y the school board of any
CITY or county.
should any children who at ]
tend the public free schools be q
unable 20 pay for vaccination. g
they shall be vaccinated with q
genuine vaccine matter at the c
cost and expense of the town or u
county, and provision shall be u
made therefor by the council of
he town or by the board of q
supervisors of the countv.''
Sec. 81. Va. School laws 1907. II
Sec. 1896 Code of Va c
Second. That it is not only ,
wise, but &c is our privilege. as S
we'll as our duty. Go take every
'recautlon against disease. for %
prevention is admitted. bv
ational thinkers. Go be- the best
ure. The only preventive that
las yet been found for small M
'oN is vaccination, and those 60
Who scott at the mild type Of n
his disease as being "humbug- ,o
cry of present day phvsi- ad
ians, forget that the only
hing which prevents il being
old time smallpox. as some
want 10 call il. is nothing other
han vaccIna ton, so that
wherever local conditions are =
ondusive 60 this disease. we pl
mink that the law ought Go be ds
gidly enforced, aud a reading lil
the law viii show that school M
cards may allow it's enforce w
tent IN part or in the whole. th
Third. That when school ba
cards order the vaccination of be
'achers and pupils, il is their WI
uty 20 see that fresh, and ab
'lutely unquestionable vaccine A..
latter lis used and 10 allow no n
MUSICIAN, however captivating
Is address and appearance. 20 Sa
lcciuate, unless they are sure Ga
'yond all reasonable doubt
iat the work is being done in
.pnar r,,,.,,,.