Milford chronicle., 1920-06-11
SMALLPOX

The smallpox of modern times is no
usually as severe as it was before vac
cination came to be so generally used
General epidemics, sweeping a who'll
country. do not commonly occur. Epi
denies are still encountered I'm smal
communities. We have one absolutely
sure and safe preventive measure, thai
is vaccination. BY means of this VT
can prevent smallpox. and if it were
possible to vaccinate every person in
the country, the disease would become
extinct.
There is absolutely no danger as a
result of vaccination. a vaccinated
arm never becomes infected if an abso-
lutely clean dressing (by clean I mean
sterile) is kept on the small area af-
fected. The arm should be dressed
daily and should not be irritated In
any way. If these simple precautions
are observed sore arms as a result OF
vaccination will be unknown.
Every child should be vaccinated be-
fore he starts school. This should be,
and i'm most cities is, compulsory If II
is not done. the parent is merely ex
posing his child to the possibility OF ac-
quiring a very dangerous disease, and
in most cases is doing is knowingly.
This is almost criminal negligence on
the part of the parent. See that your
child is vaccinated during his first five
years. and at least every five years
thereafter, in order to insure the con-
tinuance of immunity conferred by
vaccination.
The incubation period Of smallpox is
from eight to fourteen days-sOme-
times longer. That is the length OF
time If takes for the disease to devOl-
Cd after exposure. The initial symp-
toms are chill. severe pain in the back
and loins. headache and a high fever.
On the third or fourth day after the
first symptoms are noticed the charac-
teristic eruption appears on the fore
head, wrists, lips and sometimes in the
mouth. The eruption comes first as a .
little lump or papue. This soon be 1
comes a pustule (an eruption that .
looks like n large pimple). Inis t
breaks and a crust is formed over the
top Of the pustule.
Smallpox is transmitted by the
breath exhalatiOns. from the skin,
,lothing or anything that has been I'm
contact with the patient The patient
should be isolated very completely. and
he same steps taken to prevent
spread of the disease as were taken
With scarlet fever-that is, steriliza-
ion of all clothing and bed clothes be-
ore sending them to the laundry, and
Ilso the sterilization Of the discharg-
s from the body. This sterilization
hould be carried out by a two per
ent carbolic acid solution Give tea
poonsful carbolic acid to one quart Of
rater). Ahow the clothes to soak for
alf an hour in this solution before
ending them to the laundry Dis
harges of the body should be steril-
sed in the same manner before en-
tying.
When the patients skin is smooth
nd free from all crusts, an antiseptic
ath should be given before he is al
WED out of the sick room. Directions
)r this viii be given by the attending
hysicians. The room should be dis
lfected by a thorough scrubbing and :
lenty of fresh air and sunshine be-
IRE allowing other members Of the
lmily into it. ! !,
Nothing is said here about the
eatment Of smallpox, as a physician r
lould be called Immediately upon y
)ticing the first symptoms. He will
We the necessary advice. p