South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-26
PUBLIC HEALTH
A Series of Articles by DR..
Charles S. Bosenbury, Sec
rotary South Bend Board
of Health.
SMALLPOX.

SMALLPOX.
For nearly a year there has been
no smallpox in South Bend. Some
weeks ago we narrowly escaped. A
young man became i'll and went to
Chicago. where a few days later he
was taken To the isolation hospital,
with a definite attack of smallpox.
Those who had been exposed in South
Bend have been vaccinated. The nee
essary time has elapsed, hence it
seems safe to assert that the danger
of an outbreak of smallpox from this
patient is remote.
Two years ago South Bend suffered
from an epidemic of very virulent
smallpox More than one-half the
deaths from this disease in the state
of Indiana in 1912 occurred right here
in South Bend Subsequently there
were other deaths and severe cases of
smallpox But for year there has
been freedom from this disease.
Smallpox can be wiped out abso-
lutely. There is no objection To hav-
ing il wiped out Everyone would be
more comfortable if smallpox were no
longer possible. However, many do
object to the method of prevention.
They may preach hygiene. sanitation,
isolation and disinfectiOn, pure food
gOOd-but the proven efficient proven
tive of smallpox is the simple, mex
pensive and, if properly done, harm
less vaccination. There is no proof
that smallpox bears any relation to
improved sanitation which has dimin-
ished the prevalence of tuberculosis,
typhoid and cholera. Smallpox spares
neither high or low, the rich or poor.
Before the days of vaccination ii
Iii 4
princes among its victims. There is
no natural immunity. There is abund-
ant evidence 10 show that repeated,
attempts TO Vaccinate do
not protect. There were at least three
patients who died two years ago who
gave a history of attempted vaccina-
ton. but no evidence of successful
could be found. There
are some individuals who are pecul-
iarly resistant to vaccination. To
these, advice must be given to repeat
until they get takes. Just recently
the Chicago board of health found
railway mail clerk with smallpox. The
health commissioner remarked, This
man had been employed TO distribute
mail, not smallpox, but perhaps he
was not so much 10 blame because his
had advised him. after five
successful attempts at vaccination.
immune unless he has recovered from
an attack of smallpox or has been sat
isfactOrily vaccinated.
The fact that the immunity wears
off after a number Of years makes IL
necessary To practice revaccinatiOn in
order 10 afford continuous protection.
According TO Rosenau the best time TO
vaccinate is in the first year before
the second summer. and again at from
10 TO 13 years After this revaccina-
alton is usually unnecessary unless
there is particular danger OF exposure
TO smallpox.
The best evidence Of successful vac
is the typical scar. the sani-
tary dimple". The size and character
OF the scar will depend much upon
the method used in vaccinating and
the care given the vaccination wound.
A method Of vaccination which has
given good results and which leaves
small scars. usually not larger than
a dime is recommended. The arm.
the preferable site OF incubation, is
gently washed with soap and water
and then with clean water and dried