The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-09-04

ton is reported by the U. S. Public
Service. Not alone is this increase
manifested among the benefciares of
that organization and government en-
ployees, but the general public is also
awakening to the value of the inocula-
ton. Reports from physicians throug-
out the country indicate that many are
receiving the preventive treatment and
laboratory have had a greasly increased
demand for the vaccine. So great is
the call among employees of the govren-
ment that it has been necessary TO issue
a second edition of the Secretary of
the Treasury's circular stating the To-
calities where the treatment may be re-
ceived 1t is estimated that during
1914 over 100, 900 persons throughout
the country were imunized and it is
believed that in 1915 the number will
exceed 3O0, 900. In four counties of
North Carolina, where campaigns are
now being conducted, it is estimated
that 20, 900 people will be imunized.
The public is seldom slow to accept
an innovation of worth. The reduc-
ton of the case rate in the Army from
$50 per 100, GOO before the discovery of
anti-typhoid vaccine, to 3, since inocuia-
ton was made compulsory, has not
passed unoticed. During four months
of 1898 there were over. 1000 cases of
typhoid among 10, 600 soldiers encamped
in Florida; in 1911, among 10000 men
similarly encamped, there were but two
cases. If such degree of immunity can
be harrnlessley conferred upon a body
living under adverse conditions and
whose age renders them SUSCEPTIBLE,
the conclusion is that protection can
lust as easily be affored ordinary citi-
zens.
Anti-typhoid vaccination is quite as
simple as that for smallpox and even
children do not complain. There are no
local effects other than slight REDEEM
ing at the site of the injection, and sore
arms are entirely lacking In small
percentage of cases mild systemic re-
action, accompanied by headache and
a slight rise in temperature, occurs,
but if the treatment is given at night
the persons rest is undisturbed and he
is entirely unaware of these symptoms.
In the majority of instances, however
there is not the slightest inconvenience
The immunity probably lasts for several
years, although its duration is less
than that of smallpox, which frequen-
thy persists for lifetime.
1t is believed that more widespread
recognition of the benefits conferred
by anti-typhoid immunization will have
an immediate effect upon the morbid
ity and mortality rates for the disease.
AS result of sanitary measures
alone the death rate from typhoid has
been cut in half during the last fifteen
years; what has been done in fifteen
years of sanitation can be accomplished
in as many weeks with incubation.
1t is conceivable, if immunization
attains the general recognition that
smallpox prevention has secured, ano
there is no reason why such acceptance
should not be accorded to it, that
typhoid will be rare disease by 1880.
This means that even many Of the
older physicians of today will live to
see the time when the infection will no
longer be common.
One point must be considered in
making such representation. An i'm
munity is conferred the necessity for
immunization becomes less apparent to
general public, and the method will to
an extent be neglected. This is the sit
uation as regards small pox today, and
for this very reason the disease will
persist until universal immunization is
practised. Therefore, even with per
feet methods, the entire elimination of
disease is not to be looked for.