Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-29
Editors Letter Box
Antivaccination Fiction

AS an example Of the bulletins is
sued by certain blind pessimists who
seek to make Us believe that nothing
has been done and that nothing can
he done to ameliorate the conditions
that the epidemic diseases impose. is
one somewhat lately sent forth in
support of its characterization propa-
ganda 1t cites the experience in the
Philippines whore it is claimed that
smallpox has been increasing in spite
of vaccination. 1t was so plain that
the truth was hidden by a suppress
sion of facts that Il letter of inquiry
was sent from this office to the Dl-
rector of Health of the Philippine
Islands. From him statement has
just been received, He says:
1.-THE temperance Of smallpox in
1918, causing 1926 cases with 9S9
deaths in Manila, can be attributed
chiefly to the increasing number of
inhabitants who were not properly
vaccinatcd, to the improper attention
given to children since 1908, and also
to the moving, unprotected masses OF
population from the provinces.
THE vaccinations performed
among the Moro population was done
with great opposition at the begin
ming and there arose armed resistance
to the extent of causing the death of
two of our vaccinators Little by
little by means of persuasion and
because of the bcncficicnt results OF
vaccination this hostile attitude
ceased; and at the present time
vaccination is received without pro-
test and by many Of them with evil
dent satisfaction.
In Manila after an intensive cam
paicn of vaccination and revaccina-
ton the epidemic Of 1918 was con-
trolcd after five months work with
tho result that the number of deaths
from this disease was only 50 in 1919,
five in 1920 and none in 1921"
To the characterization literature
an answer comes from DR. Victor c.
Heiser, who was formerly Director Of
Health of the Philippines, and DR..
Charles \. Leach. We learn by them
that in the Philippines before the
American occupation there were 40
coo deaths annually from smallpox
and that, with systematic and prop
erly controlled vaccination. this terri
bic mortality disappeared in the wake
of vaccinators.
after 1914 general vaccination of
new born children and other unpro-
tected persons was not effectively
carried out.
Thus q huge unv2ccinatcd popu-
lation came into being and it was
only necessary for the ever present
spark to fall among them to start the
conflagration. The spark fell and in
consequence over $4,000 unfortunate
victims have lost their lives. IT is
an extremely rcgrettablc fact that
through the circulation of half truths
in the United States regarding vacci-
nation in the Philippines, a strong
effort is being made to influence
legislatures and others to discourage
vaccination against smallpox. This
can only result in the sacrifice of still
moro lives"
AS the Boston Evening Transcript
SAYS editorially: what DR.. Heiscr
and DR.. Leach say about the matter
appears perfectly true; namely. that
those who have advocated the aboli-
ton of vaccination have been the
cause of deaths among many I'M
vaccinatod. and, in view Of the fright
full loss of life that may occur in
smallpox epidcmcs, they arc assum-
ing grave responsibility indeed II
they continue their campaigns"
(Signcd)
Sfntn Dom II mont Of uealth