Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-11-07
THE SMALL Pox MENACE

In view of the prevalence Of small
pox in Lincoln county and the fact
that it has almost reached an epidemic
form in our neighboring county, the
following article by DR.. G. p. Jones is
timely and of more than usual impor
tance to this community
Idaho has the reputation through the
country. Of being a progressive state.
This is because the men you have
elected 40 office have been quick TO
realize what was for the advancement
of the people, and have enacted laws
for that purpose. 1t makes no differ
ence how wise a law is if the public
sentiment of the town is against the
law it is usually a failure Personally
] would not urge the enforcement of
our vaccination law against the pub
lie sentiment of Lincoln county. but
personally ! am anxious to do all can
to make public sentiment in favor Of
q compulsory vaccination law against
small pox.
There is no law so wise but some are
sincerely opposed to it There are OBJ
jections to vaccination as well as to
compulsory education. Sometimes
people die or are made very sick by
it. Sometimes a small poX endemic is
very mild and no one dies. If we could
know that vaccination, was going to
injure a person, and that the next ep- !
idemic of small poX would be mild. we /.
would not advise that all persons be |
vaccinated.
However,we know that small pox is |
a very dangerous disease. The epidem-
ic of 1s03-1sO4 claimed, 10000 victims |
with $3.50 deaths. That is, one out of |
rs died Often 15to 30 have died out of |
Of
] in 26 having any lasting harm from
vaccination? Did you ever hear of 1
in 1000 dying? or being worse off
Think over these figures. Then recall
that at present Minidoka Co. has more
than $50 cases OF small pox and that
Lincoln county already has had sever
al cases
You ask if vaccination will prevent
small pox? I can assure you that If
if it takes well that it will absolutely
protect more than SO out of 100. This
protection. however, is not for life.
Practically every case is protected for
3 years and the great majority for at
least years. Vaccination should be
repeated every years, and oftener if
epidemics are present. Where this is
done they have no epidemics. In the
eastern states, where protective regu-
lations are more rigidly enforced, they
never have a severe small pox epidem- 4
ic.. An occasional case drifts in from :
tine sea. ports is qquarantined, all cx- &
posed persons yaccinated, and that I
ends it. In the large Baptist hospital Z
in Houston, Texas, two years ago, a 4
case broke out, exposing many. The
hospital was quarantined. all exposed
vaccinated and about a half dozen
cases were all that developed. these
having been exposed to long before the
first case was recognized. One of these
cases, unrecognized, came to my hos
pital in Bay City, developing within :
"a hours. All exposed were vaccina ted &
and no other cases developed. II vac (,
cinatiop is performed with the pre- :
cautions of a surgical operation bad 2
results win be practically nothing. If g
bad results develope, usually some one :
has failed to do the work properly.
Condemn the doctor. if you win, but
not vaccination
Compulsory vaccination in Lincoln {
county should mean that each resident a
will compel himself to be vaccinated,
Fhs brings up the question of public 8
sentiment on quarantine for all in =
.ectious diseases. There is only one :
way for every family to look at quar- =
ASH NOu4Q l. ~ =
willing for someone who might give my :
amily small pox, scarlet fever. or any i.
c rious disease to minge with my
without my knowing that they
night give us the disease2". There is b
10 place for better application of the $,
folden Rule, and every real man and
Woman Will not expose another family
ny more than they would allow their is
wn to be exposed. Yet doctors are fo
onstantly besought Don't put a card
n our house doctor. We will be care
ul.' Then you think "ril just stick my 2
cad out and say hellol to Willie" who
as small pox. 'J'll not get any con- (
agion that way" Yet you may get it.
he contagion is carried in the dust, at
nd the dust blows on you as you open ~
ne door to look in. then you pass a -,
hid on the street who is susceptible 81
the disease, or you sit by one in -
ne theater or on the train and the air
lrrent carries the contagion where
lie child breathes it and the child sick
rs and dies. If it were your child mi
ould you not feel that the one who Les
ld exposed your child. knowing they a
light give the disease. was little better Me
IAN murderer? Until you realize cai
lat. you above all Others can and of
mily has a contagious disease, some wo
you viii be responsible for the death Go
your neighbors. on'
Quarantine, to be effective. must be bo,
gid. Those who have had disease Fel
ust keep away from others strictly let
accordance with the state laws. shs
hose who have been exposed must be leg
plated until time enough has passed
tell whether they win develope the 49,
sease. Intercourse with house pro
Wing conta gion, by persons who are ma
mune should not be allowed owing beil
the chance of carrying the infec- til
N in clothing Houses with conta- LET
IN must be placarded that outsiders upf
~ be warned to keep away. for,
know that all TINS works great law
rdship on the victims. for have been tina
victim But are you willing that the
W neighbor shall save himself IL tan
ncial loss by risking the lives Of has