The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-27
SMALLPOX CASES
WALKED STREETS
HEALTH AUTHORITIES CONCERNED
AT NEGLECT OF PRECAg-
TI0ys.

With fresh reports of smallpox
cases every few days and with the
alarming intelligence that smallpox
patients have in some cases walked
the streets unhindered, the State
board of health Is much alarmed at
the situation and is fearful that the
disease may be scattered in communi-
ties which have been exempt from its
ravages.
During recent weeks the board has
received report of smallpox In Roa-
uoke. Culpeper, Giles, Henry, Halifax,
Meckieuburg and Pittsyivania coun-
ties and in the cities of Danville and
Roanoke. While the. disease has re-
ceiyed prompt attention In some OF
these communities and has been made
the occasion for d general vaccination.
It has been neglected elsewhere.
Quarantine has been Intellectual, active
cases have been found in public places
and serious opposition to compulsory
vaccination has been encountered
In one instance reported to the
board the head of a family refused 10
be vaccinated and would not allow the
health officers to protect his children.
AS q result smallpox attacked the man
In question and threatened the life OF
his family. Prompt vaccination saved
the children OF the household, but the
father was subjected to all the Illness,
discomfort and loss incident to quar-
antine. He is now regarded as one
Of the stauncfest advocates OF vacci-
nation In the locality where he lives
In a bulletin isued today on the
subject the board of health says:
Further neglect of vaccination and
the appearance Of smallpox in many
localities increased the danger of
general spread of the disease Per-
sons have gone at large ina a danger
DUSTY infectious condition and have
infected innocent persons who were
not at all suspicious OF them. In adj
dition, the local boards of health have
met with opposition in their efforts to
stamp out the disease. Some of the
boards OF supervisors have promptly
complied with the requests of the
health authorities. but In other coun-
ties there have been delays. misun-
derstandings and 81 lack of co-opera-
ton.
The State law authorizes the State
board OF health to take charge of the
work where the local officers decline
to act and the statute stipulates that
the costs in such cases shall be
charged against the counties. We have
been forced In the last year to invoke
this Law only once, but unless condi-
tons are materially improved. the
health OF adjacent communities must
be protected. This will involve heavy
expense and serious Inconvenience. but
1t will be necessary where the local
authorities do not quarantine and vac
cinate.
North Carolina faced for many
years a situation similar to that now
confronting, IAN in Virginia, and there
the health authorities finally were
forced to a radical policy. They re-
fused to quarantine smallpox cases
and allowed the patients TO go about
unfindered, merely announcing to the
warning all citizens that they could
be protected by vaccination. We sin
cerefy hope that such q policy as this
will not be necessary In Virginia, but
the health OF the State must be pro-
tected and those communities which
enforce proper regulations should be
safeguarded from the careiessness OF
those who refuse to take precautions.
In the situation the only safe policy
La general vaccination. Especially liz
this necessary In the case OF those
who travel and mingie freely with the
citizens OF counties In which the dis
ease exists. without such vaccina-
ton. we must be prepared to see
smallpox constantly and dangerously
increasing in the State"
AS In the past. the State board OF
health Is prepared to dispense at, cost
smallpox vaccine OF the highest quail
ity.