Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1919-11-14
VACCINATION OF PUBLIC
SCHOOL CHILDREN.

The opening of the public schools
Of Charles County brings into great
prominence the fact, that large per-
centage Of the younger and no doubt
some OF the older children, have not
been properly vaccinated, all OF which
tends to a serious condition in case
an epidemic of smallpox breaks out,
10 say nothing OF being violation Of
the law which requires every pupil to
present certificate OF a successful
vaccination TO his or her teacher upon
the first day OF entrance.
The reasons for this existing condi-
lion is largely due to thoughtlessness
and perhaps ignorance of the law,
possibly also a disregard of the posi-
tive insurance against the disease,
smallpox, which vaccination confers.
The following quotation from Dr.
Osler, one of the leading medical au-
thorities Of the world, may prove in
teresting at this point:
Smallpox IS one of the most viru-
lent of contagious diseases and per-
sons exposed, il unprotected by vac
eination, are almost invariably at
tackled. 1t is common at all ages but
is particularly fatal to young children.
OF 3,154 deaths in one epidemic, 2,717
were of children under ten years Of
age.
Communities in which vaccination
and re-vaccination are thoroughly and
systematically carried out, are those in
which smallpox has the fewest VIC
Tins On the other hand, communi-
ties in which vaccination and re-vac-
cination are persistently neglected are
those in which epidemics are most
prevalent.
Although the effects OF single vac
cination may wear out, as we may
say, and the individual again become
susceptible to the disease, yet the
death rate in such persons is very
much lower than in persons who have
never been vaccinated"
The dangers of vaccination are prac-
tically negligible, where the operation
has been properly performed and due
care has been taken to prevent after
| infection.
Manufacturers Of smallpox vaccine
virus have brought their methods Of
| preparation to high degree of per-
lection and as matter of fact there
is more danger from the scratch Of a
pin or splinter OF wood than there is
from vaccination under aseptic con-
ditions
In 1908, there were 100000 persons
vaccinated in the Philippine Island:
without the loss OF life from an in.
lection and this is the general result!
of vaccination extending over the
years since its effects were discovered
in 1896 by DR.. Jenner. and its intro
duction all over the world ss pre-
ventive OF smallpox
i Our public schools are one OF tn,
most vulnerable points by which cpl
demic diseases are spread through TIL
community and we feel sure that tn
parents of our school children vii
cooperate with the local Health BoatS
in complying promptly with the law.
Bear in mind that fully IS per cen
of these children are not now protect
ed and think what fertile field thi
will be if smallpox makes its appear
ance. Have the vaccination done a
the earliest possible time, get prop
er1y signed certificate from the doctc
J and present it to the teacher, thu
relieving her from the unpleasant dut
. of excluding the child from the schoc
until it is done.
G. o. MONROE, M. D.,
Health Officer, Charles c.
S. ]. FORT, M. D.,
!, Deputy State Health Office