The Mena weekly star., 1917-11-22
VACCINATION FOR
 SCHOOL CHILDREN
state Board of Health Reports on Tetanus Cases-The Polk County Health Officer Says Law Must
 Be 0beyed
Little Rock. Nov. r. igl7

Little Rock. Nov. r.. igl7. To the Public;
 < good deal of uneasiness has been oeeasioned hy the appearance of several cases of tetanus in the stale and especially by the report of letanus sent out by the City Health Department of Memphis. The State Board of Health has made a very thoro canvass of the situation and herewith submits the following report Of the cases notified:
 Since May of this year, fifteen eases of letanus have occurred within the State. with nine deaths. Twelve cases occurred outside of the city of Little Rock, with six deaths Of these twelve eases, four who had not been vaccinated de- yel0ped the disease, one from gun shot wound; one following puncture wound of the foot with rusty nail: another following introduction of needle in the foot; and the other from crushing injury to the foot. Of the other eight. all of them had sores or abrasions of the skin some where on the body One of them had receiyed an injury to the foot by rusty iron: another had stuck a splinter thru his toe: another had sores on legs and puncture wound in the heel stimulating nail puneture. and had been riding bareback a great deal; another had had ahe srab from vaccination knocked off by whip and the wound was dressed with a dirty cloth; another had sores on legs and feet which were supposed to be the entrance of infection.
 Another point about most of the cases is that tetanus developed four or five weeks after vaccination. in some cases after the vaccination had practically healed. The incubation period of tetanus is from ten to fourteen days. Thus it would seem that in practically all of the cases at least vaccination was not re- sponsible for the tetanus.
 Of the five deaths in Memphis, two cases had not been vaccinated and no tetanus bacilli were found in the virus. The three cases in Little Rock are problematieal
 4 recent communication from Sergeon General Blue and Surgeon Gorgas states that no evidence has been found to indicate that tetanus was present in any of the vaccine virus, and further urges that no backward steps be taken and in sists that any modification of the vaccination order at this time would be disastrous.
 There are now in Arkansas a number of severe epidemic of small pox in different sections of the State. and adjoining states are complain ing that smallpox contacts are com ing out of Arkansas and spreading the disease.
 In view of the above finding and the message from the Surgeon Gen eral and further that no cases of tetanus have occurred during the past three weeks, the Board feels that the compulsory vaccination order should not be modified. Many Of the counties have already conn piled and many other counties are complying as rapidly as possible. Therefore. the order will remain i'll full force and effect.
 II is further becoming necessary to issue compulsory vaccination or der to require all persons of all ages to be vaeeinated in certain restrict cd districts where smallpox has gotten out from under control of the local health authorities and many contacts have resulted
 The following precautions are urged by the Federal, State and local health authorities, namely, that the field of vaccination be theroly ster- iIized that a sterile gauge dressing be applied thereafter as soon as the virus has dried; and that it be re- dressed with sterile dressings as oft en thereafter as is necessary; and that shields be discontinued As soon as the blister appears following vaccination, if it is touched up light ly with tincture of iodine it will soon disappear and prevent a severe sore.
 ARKANSAS BOARD OF HEALTH,
 By c. w. Garrison, Sec.