Year: 1863

EDITORS APPEAL AS the subject Of Tarcin-
alton is one which the public are, or ought to
be much interested at the present time, I take
leave to offer I. few remarks upon it. Having
practiced my profession for several years where
the small pox was constantly recurring araong
ths people, hsve great satisfaction in giving
testimony to the efficacy Of vaccination as a
preventive to that losthing disease, when
the operation has been properly and care
fliig carried out But there are many causes
of failure for this simple operation. And pro-
pose to enumerase some of the most prominent,
for tho benefit Of the community at large, who
in this matter, as in some others of great impor-
lance, are thrown pretty much on their own re-
sources and coed sense in this lime Of peril.


In the FIRST place, then. to Yaoeinase properly,
it is Of the highest importance that the lymph OF
virus used for the purpose, should be pure. The
bes. is that taken from perfectly healthy
young person on the 9Th or sth day after vaccin-
alton, when the yesicIe shall have formed and


filed properly. This can readily be had by
raising ore edge Of the vesiele on the point Of
lancet, allowing the lymph to flow little,


when The point of a small piece of quill, (cUt in
the shape Of 8 tooth of fine eonlb) is inserted
gently, and being Withdrawn a drop of matter
adheres to It. From a good vesiele ten or


twelve ouills can be armed in this way and
used at once for vaccination, OF kept in a close
stoppered vial till wanted. IF You prefer to use
the seab, select one that is not very large, and
crush minute portion of it between two plates
Of glass, then moisten with drop OF two of
water, and insert 1t IS proper in this eonnec-
ton 70 say that when you vaccinate, make at
least two punctures, perhaps it would be best to
do SO on both arms and allow st least one
vesicie TO 60 on 30 maturity without disturb
ancs, protesting it against being broken or
DESTROYED, so that its matter can be absorbed
and broken up into the system and thereby pro
tect H. r. as often happens, there is only one
vesicle and that should unfortunately be broken
then the patient ought TO be re-vaeeiBated If
you have bat one vesieie and arc eomrelled to
take matter from it, then you should ra-vscein-
ate with il on. the other arm at the same time


From several cases recently undermy obseTva-
toni L have reason to believe that there is sRu-
riOus vaccine virus being nnocculated very cI-
teusiveiy, and which produces more infsmms
ton and soreness, and 3 much larger scsb than |
the true protecting disease, and if persons so |
treated should at any future time b5ceme ex-
posed TO the eontsgiOn Of smallpox, they will |
probably contract It, and perhaps die; and not /
only is life thus sacrificed, but the greatest dis
credit is brought on vaccination itself


The only caution can give, is TO reiterata /
the necessity Of procuring good matter from a /
healthy person, 80 watch carefully the progress |
Of the vesicle from day to day, and to ascertain /
alter the scale has fallen off if the scar has the
peculiar appearance of pitting, like the head Of
an ordinary thimble, which is the Characteristic /
and permanent sign of the vaccine innoeulation;
# this should not be present thereis no exemption
snd the operation should be repeated. On no &C
count should a woman advanced in pregnancy
be subjected to this operation. Protect her by |
n means sgsinst the chance of contracting the
smallpox, but do not vsccinate, because the poi
son O.. vaccine is almoS. lsntical with small
1ox, and both are almost certain to produce mis-
carriage, and The woman VINO SO miscaTries, al
most as csrtainly dies.


In regard to Te.vRccinRtion after a lapse Of
1esEs, and when the scar remsins presenting the
rue pitted appearance, the possibility is, that no
-esicle win form, but the operation can be dene
IS test, and for further security. If it should
sill, there is no harm done, and if it should sue
esi, as it viii occasionally, it is always salts
action 70 the patient and operator.


Respectfully, G. N. D.


COLUMBUS, MISS, February i2th 1868.