Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-23
FAVOR TYPHOID VACCINATION
General Public Seeking This
Preventive Treatment.
People Awakening to Value of Inocu-
Iation--In 1914 100000 in u. $. Inn
munined, with 100000 Ex-
pcctcd This Year.

An enormous increase in the number OF
persons seeking anti-typhoid vaccination
Is reported by the Y. s. public health
service. Not alone Is this increase mani
fcsted among the bcnefciaries OF that
organization and government employees,
but the general public is also awakening to
the value OF the incubation. Reports
from physicians throughout the country
Indicate that many are receiving the pre-
ventive treatment and laboratory estab-
lishments have had greatly Increased
demand for the vaccine. So great Is the
call among employees of the government
that 1t has been necessary to issue sec
ond edition Of the secretary of the treas
ury's circular stating the localities where
the treatment may he received II is esti-
mated that during 1914 over 10000 persons
throughout the country were immunized
and 1t Is believed that In 1916 the number
will exceed 100000 In four counties Of
North Carolina. where campaigns are now
being conducted. 1t Is estimated that 90
600 people will be immunized
The public is seldom slow to accept an
innovation of worth. The reduction of the
case rate in the army from $50 per 100000.
before the discovery of anti-typhoid vac
cine, to three. since incubation was made
compulsory, has not passed unnoticed.
| During four months of 1898 there were
| over 1900 cases of typhoid among 10000
soldiers encamped in Florida; In 1911.
| among 1000 men similarly encamped,
there were but two cases. If such n de-
gree of immunity can be harmlessly con-
feNed upon body Of men living under
| adverse conditions and whose age rem
ders them susceptible. the conclusion is
that protection can just as easily be at
forded ordinary citizens.
Anti-typhoid vaccination Is quite as sim
pie as that of smallpox and even children
| do not complain. There are no local ef-
fects other than a slight reddening at the
site of the injection and sore arms are
entirely lacking. In a small percentage
of cases mild systemic reaction. accom-
panied by headache and slight rise in
temperature, occurs. but II the treatment
Is given at night the PERSONS rest is I'M
disturbed and he is entirely unaware OF
these symptoms In the majority Of in
stances. however, there is not the slight
est Inconvenience. The immunity proba-
bly, lasts for several years, although its
duration is less than that of smallpox.
which frequently persists for lifetime.
1t is believed that more widespread
recognition of the benefits conferred by
anti-typhod immunization will have an
Immediate effect upon tho morbidty and
mortality rates for the disease. As re-
suit of sanitary measures alone the death
rate from typhoid has been cut in half
during the last Is years: what has been
done in IS years Of sanitation can be &C.
complished in as many weeks with inocu-
lation. 1t Is conceivable, If immunization
attains the general recognition that
smallpox prevention has secured, and
| there Is no reason why such acceptance
should not be accorded II, that typhoid
VIII be rare disease by 1890 This means
that even many OF the older physicians
of to-day will live to see the time when
the infection will no longer be common.
One point must be considered in making
such prognostication. As immunity Is
conferred the necessity for immuniza ton
becomes less apparent to the general pub
lie, and the method will to q certain ex.
tent be neglected. This Is the situation
as regards smallpox in the country to-day
and for this very reason the disease will
persist until universal immunization Is
tracticed Therefore, even with perfect
methods, the entire elimination Of the Ts
ease is not to be looked for.