The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-12-03
VACCINATION

Small pox, one time as common as
measles, has almost disappeared.
Four hundred years ago it swept
through Mexico taking a toll of $780,
] 900 lives. Last year Pennsylvania,
with a population of over 100000,
had only two deaths from this disease,
The knowledge that one attack Of
small pox afforded a lifetime protec-
ton against a second invasion of the
| disease early led to the practice of
incubation in the European countries
This consisted in the insertion under
| the skin of some part of the body of
| a small quantity of the secretion TAX
en- from a pustule of mild case, in
| the hope that a similar mild attack
would follow The operation was usu-
ally performed with sharp pointed
| knife but as a number of persons died
from the Small poX thus artiticially in
duced the practice never attained
widespread popularity.
Something more than 100 years ago,
Edward Jenner an English Physician,
observed that milk maids as a class
were particularly free from Small poX.
1t had long been known that cows
were subject to a disease called Cow
poX,' which, while milder in charac-
ter bore a striking resemblance to
Small pox.
Pocks or pustules appeared upon the
udders of affected cows, and the hands
of milk maids. usually chapped from
exposure, coming in contact with open
pustules. were frequently infected.
Since persons who had had Cow poX
not only did not contract Small pox
from others. but experienced no effect
from attempted inoculation with it, DR.
Jenner believed that artificial inocu-
lation or vaccination with the virus
of Cow pox would in all cases serve
as protection against Small pox
He demonstrated his theory to his own
satisfaction, by first vaccnating his
own son and then number of others.
all of whom failed to contract Small
pOx either by exposure to it or by
incubation Of the virus under the
skin, but when he published the re-
suits of his experiment storm of OPP
position arose. Some of the old
prints still in existence, showed per-
sons who had grown horns like cows
as result of the introduction into
their system of the virus from the
COW; others suffered change in facial
expression and took on the features of
COWS: still others were said to have
| lost their power of speech and were
capable of expressing their emotions
only by a series of MODS These at
tempts at ridicule and appeals to the
superstition of the age were serious
handicaps, but for all that there be-
gan to be less cases Of Small pox and
more applicants for vaccination.
SO completely has the value of vac
cination against Small pox been de-
monstrated, that today its practice
is universal although the method has
materially changed.
The virus is obtained from calves,
which have been subjected to most
careful examination to assure their
freedom from disease.
It is prepared under strictest anti
septic precautions, and then as a dou-
BILE check, is tested upon other ami
mails to make sure of its purity.
The same care should he employed
in caring for vaccination vescle or
(sore) as is exercised in treating a
wound.
The germs of Tetanus Oockiaw) are
found in the ground and especially
abound in the manure of horse
stables Open vaccination sores should
be protected by soft clean bandages
and children should not he allowed to
play in the dirt or around stables I'M
til their Vaccination has healed
One good take" as it is commonly
called is often sufficient to guarantee
protection against Small pox for life,
but as matter of precaution. it is
well to have a reyaccination attempted
about every five to seven years.
The law of Pennsylvania requires
all children to produce certificates of
successful vaccination before they can
enter school.
School teachers and school directors
are held personally responsible and
are liable to be fined from five to one
hundred dollars for each case of non
compliance.
When family physician claims the
child is physically unfit for Vaccina-
ton, the County Medical Director or
some person authorized by him. upon
examination may issue a temporary
certificate permitting attendance at
school, good for one year only" in
municipalities, such temporary certifi-
Gates are issued by the medical officer
(or his deputy)D of the borough or
city Board of Health.
mr. rNfrsa