Year: 1869

The San Francisco Times, of q recent date,
has an article on the treatment of and the effect
of small po1 on the system, written by one who
had been q patient at the pest-house at San
Francisco. As the subject is one that is Just
now occupying the attention of our citizens, the
following extracts from the article referred to
will be read with interest:


Now that the excitement about the smallpox
has in measure subsided, and the people are
not alarmed at the very mention of the disease it
may be well enough to speak of its effect, of the
danger of contracting it, and the manner of treat
ing it at the pest-house, and by our physicians.
In the first place, it is not such dreadful COM
plant as many imagine. 1t is not particularly
dangerous, when properly understood, and it sell
dom leaves any pits on the face, where oil or
glycerine has been freely used. In fact, the sys-
tenn is left in better and more vigorous state,
after the patient has recovered than ever before.
Smallpox draws to the surface those noxious
humors that gather in the blood, and gives a
new vitality, and an additional lease of life, to
those of middle age, whs have passed through
the ordeal If the system is in healthy condi-
ton there is little fear of contracting the disease
The doctors, sisters, and many of the nurses at
the hospital have never had it, and although
they are daily exposed by attending those. who
have it in its most malignant form, yet they
have thus far escaped the contagion.
That vaccination is a preventive there can be no
doubt, although there have been instances where
persons recently vaccinated have taken the dis
ease but the chances are that the matter was
not good, or that it failed to act upon the blood.
Persons have mistaken an ordinary sore, made
by puncturing the arm, for genuine vesicle.
Few people, even in this city, have correct
idea of varola, but magnify and exaggerate its
effects. That it has been fatal in many cases,
there is no denying but, usually, the deaths
have occurred from a needless exposure and bad
treatment before a physician was called or a
hospital reached. Several of our prominent
doctors, who have attended many patients, have
not lost a single case. 1t has been especially
fatal among those who have been hard drinkers,
and whose constitutions have been weakened by
long course of dissipation these have the
most malignant type of the disease, and gener.
ally die
looks while the postules are on the face but il
leaves one in such an excellent condition, thai
it amply pays for the trouble and expense Incl
dent to few weeks sickness.


The remedy now generally used at the hospi-
tai in the earlier stages of the disease, is fresh
brewers yeast, a tablespoonful being given
every two hours until the postules are filed with
matter. 1t acts like charm, and is said to be
equally as beneficial in clearing the body of the
complaint after the scabs have formed. l would
not advise any one to needlessly expose them
selves but, if any of their family or friends are
taken with the smallpox, see that they are
properly attended to, and send them at once to
the hospital, unless it is considered better to
have them remain at home


That the disease will continue in this State,
and especially on the line of the Pacific railroad,
during the coming summer, there is little doubt,
but, by proper care of ones health, and thor
ough vaccination, there is little danger of con-
tracing it. 1t is nothing, when compared with
the yellow fever, the cholera, or many other ma
lignant complaints which SO often visit other
parts of the country.