WARNING AGAINST SMALLPOX. OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. To the Health Officials, Physicians and People of Kentucky: Smallpox is now widespread in Eastern Tennessee, North Caroolina, Southwestern Virginia and Northern Alabama, and several cases exist in Middlesboro and near Jellico in this State. The epidemic appears to have originated in Mobile last summer, and to have been gradually extending northward since. It is chiefly prevalent amongst the negro population and manifests an unusual tendency everywhere to break over official control and assume an epidemic form. This Board therefore, feels that it is its duty to warn the people that prompt action may prevent its further spread in this State. Fortunately prevention is as certain and safe as it is cheap and easy. Vaccination and re-vaccination, properly done, with reliable virus, is a certain preventive and is entirely free from danger. This is the conclusion of the health officers of the world after years of patient investigations, and is now an accepted truth in preventive medicine. Notwithstanding these facts, about one-third of the people of Kentucky have never availed themselves of this protection. Our people should not await for orders from boards of health in the presence of an epidemic to force them to an evident duty. Every citizen should see to it that not only himself, but every one for whom he is responsible is vaccinated at once. No child should be admitted to any public or private school who has not been vaccinated, and all factories, railroads and mines should make the same requirements. This is especially important in view of the threatened danger. The operation should be done by a competent physician, under proper aseptic precautions, and he should see the person vaccinated from time to time so the result may be certain. Imperfect vaccination gives a false and often fatal sense of security. Reliable virus can be obtained from the National Vaccine Farm, Washington, D. C., or their agents, the Henry Drug Company, Louisville, Ky. In addition, it is urgently requested that all boards of health perfect their organization at once, if they have not done so, and take every precaution to prevent the entrance of the disease into their jurisdiction, or, failing in this, be ready to stamp it out by strictly isolating the first case, and vaccinating and re-vaccinating every person exposed to it. All funerals should be strictly private. This Board holds itself ready to give any assistance in its power at any time. By order of the Board: J. M. MATHEWS, M. D., President. J. N. MCCORMACK, M. D., Secretary. The case which developed at Richmond was not recognized as smallpox, and many exposures had occurred, and about fifteen had the disease, in a negro quarter in the heart of the town, before the board of health was notified and any efficient steps taken to arrest its spread. Although the conditions seemed so threatening, the call made by the health officials upon the mayor and county judge was so promptly responded to that the epidemic was readily controlled, with a minimum of injury to the business interests of the town. Expert inspectors were sent to the assistance of the local boards at these places, and this practice has been continued up to the present time, in so far as our limited funds would permit, but recently it has been necessary. for the afflicted counties to pay the inspectors. Such assistance has been highly useful in clearing up questions of diagnosis and in giving much needed practical advice in isolation and details in management. Six weeks after the first warning was issued, as the danger seemed even greater, another circular was prepared and sent out as before. It follows: WARNING AGAINST SMALLPOX. OFFICE OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. To the Health Officials, Physicians and People of Kentucky: This Board again gives warning that our State is seriously threatened with an epidemic of smallpox. Grave conditions already exist in Bell, Whitley and Madison counties, and cases are reported in Knox and Mason counties. So far the disease has been almost exclusively confined to negroes, but this exemption of the white race can not long be hoped for if it continues to spread. In spite of repeated and continued warnings from this and county and municipal boards, each community so far attacked was unprepared, a large per cent. of the population was unvaccinated, and dangerous and costly delays occurred before the character of the disease was |