Year: 1869

The San Francisco Times gives the fol
lowing interesting account Of the small
pox, written by one who had been a pa
tient in the Pest House:


Now that the excitement about the small
pox has in measure subsidized and 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 treating it at the Pest
House, and by our physicians. In the first
place, it is not such a dreadful complaint
as many imagine. 1t is not particularly
dangerous, when properly understood, and
1t seldom leaves any pits on the face, where
oil or q glycerine has been freely used. In
fact, the system is left in better and
more vigorous state, after the patient has
recovered, than ever before. Small pox
draws to the surface those noxious humors
that gather in the blood, and gives new
vitality, and an additional lease of life, to
those of middle age, who have passed
through the ordeal. If the system is in a
healthy condition there is little fear of con-
tracing 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. People
from distance who wish to visit San
Francisco on business or pleasure, can do
so with impunity, so far as the small pox
is concerned. That vaccination is pre-
ventive there can be no doubt, although
there have been instances where persons
recently vaccinated have taken the disease !;
but the chances are the matter was not
good, or that it failed TO act upon the blood
Persons have mistaken an ordinary sore,
made by puneturing the arm, for genuine
vesicle. Few people even in this city,
have correct idea of variola, but magnify
and exaggerate its effects. That it has
been fatal in many cases, there is no de-
nying but usually, the deaths have oc-
Cured from a needless exposure and bad
treatment, before a physician was called
or hospital reached Several of our
prominent doctors, who have attended many
patients have not lost single case. 1t
mas been especially fatal among those who
have been hard drinkers, and whose con-
stitutions have been weakened by long
course of dissipation; these have the most
malignant type of the disease: and gener-
ally die


1t is sometimes amusing to witness the
CONSERVATION among those who are exposed
to the contagion, the needless alarm and
useless barbArity shown when the small
pox breaks out in the neighborhood l
remember well my own experience For
several days prior to its appearance L had
been quite i'll, and finally consulted my
physician, Doctor H, who gave me
prescription which developed the complaint
by the ensuing morning How any one
knew | had the small pox don't know:
but those rooming near me Immediately
vacated the premises, and | was left I" alone
in my glory" before l had really made up
my mind what was the matter with me-
A friend looked in to inquire how / was,
but stood with his hand on the door knob,
ready to vamose the moment he discovered
the nature of the disease, the doctor called
and pronounced it clear case of variola,
although light one. In the course of an
hour the Health Officer came in, and |
had to choose between having the house
put under quarantine or going to the Pest
House. Like most people, dreaded
going to the hospital, but finally concluded
it would be better for all concerned for me
to go there than remain where everybody
dreaded and avoided the sight of me-


The, weather at the time being very
stormy, | remained in my room for three
or four days. The effect of the medicine
was such that | was entirely relieved from
the nauseous experience for the few days
previous, and really enjoyed the dreaded
complaint, which was nothing to the i'll
ness | had already felt. The Southern
Confederacy, in its palmiest days, could
not have desired to have been left more
severely alone, than l was during the first
day.. After the Health Officer left, no one
came near me for ten or twelve hours
Fortunately had plenty Of fuel in the
room, and was enabled to keep up good
fire in the meantime. At lenetha person,
who had been a nurse out at the Hospital,
was sent up to see me, and | engiged him
forthwith From that day forward, until
discharged cured, never suffered any