Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-05-09
URGES EVERYONE
IN STATE TO Be
VACCINATED NOW
Owing To Prevalence Of Smallpox
In Nearby States, DR.. Fulton
Warns Marylanders

Because OF the prevalence of small
pox in nearby states, DR.. John H.
Fulton, Director of the State Depart
ment of Health, urges all persons in
Maryland who have not been success
fully vaccinated within the last year,
to be vaccinated without further de-
lay. Smallpox vaccine is furnished
free of charge by the State Depart
ment of Health to physicians through
out the counties on application either
to the Department, or through the To-
cal health officer.
''If it is not convenient for you to
go to your own physician to be vacci
mated, go to the local health officer"
DR.. Fulton advised in commenting on
the seriousness of the present situa-
ton.
maryland has been more fortunate
than many states," DR.. Fulton said,
"in escaping the outbreaks that have
swept over large sections of the coun-
try in the last few years, but that
does not mean that it is free from
danger now. Present methods Of
travel-the ease with which we move
about from place to place by trolley,
automobile, boat, and train service,
bring us in daily, even hourly contact
with people from the places where
the disease is now epidemic. Vaccina-
ton against smallpox takes less than
five minutes, and as the vaccine virus
is furnished free of charge by the
State to physicians, the fee for such
service by private physicians is not
large.
Smallpox has been more prevalent
ir the United States and Canada dur
ing the last three years than in any
other part of the world, eXcep China
and India. Not only has the disease
increased in the United States, but it
has occurred in much more virulent
form land has caused greater num-
Der OF deaths. In 40 states and the
District of Columbia, there were 49,
SGT cases and ST. deaths in 1924
27,756 cases and LA deaths in 1928;
and 30,281 cases with 491 deaths in
1922.
"These figures are appalling, but
they come from reliable sources and
are fact which we have to face in
order that we may realize the vast
ness of the outbreak. Fortunately
Tor the people Of Maryland, the dis
ease so far has been kept under con-
troll here through the unrelaxing vigi-
lance of the health departments of
the State and of Baltimore city. Mary
land has contributed only a small
number of cases to the total in the
country. The total number of cases
III Maryland in 1922 was II, with 3
deaths, all of which occurred in the
counties. The total in 1928 was rs,
of which Is cases were reported from
the counties. The total in 1924 was
81, of which 80 occurred in the city,
and So in the counties. There were
no deaths from the disease in either
Baltimore city or in the counties in
either 1923 or 1924.
"The total numbr of cases in Mary
land has been relatively small, in
comparison with the total in other
states, but you can see that we had
nearly four times as many in 1924 IS
in 1923.
Smallpox is one of the most loath-
some diseases of which We have any
knowledge, and even when not fatal,
one of the most disfguring. We have
an absolutely sure weapon of defense
against it, in vaccination. We can't
expect to escape the fate Of other sec
tions of the country, and of some of
our very near neighbors, if we neglect
this one sure method of protection
that is within the reach of every man,
woman, and child in this State-Vac-
cination