Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1902 — TO STAMP OUT SMALLPOX. [ARTICLE]

TO STAMP OUT SMALLPOX.

Chicago Will Proceed w'th a Sjrtema* tized War on the Epidemic. An effort in preventive medicine on a scale of considerable magnitude has been inaugurated by the Chicago health department. Its field is an area of some 000,000 square miles of territory in the ten States of which Illinois is the southern center and the remotest boundaries of which are within a few hours’ railway travel from Chicago. Among the 25,000,000 people living in this area the number of cases of smallpox has increased more than 900 per cent since the first of the year over the number reported during the corresponding period of 1901. Authentic information, gathered by wire and mail from State and loeal health authorities and from personal Investigations by the contagious disease experts of the department—sent to a number of infected localities most directly menacing Chicago—convinced the health commissioner, Dr. Reynolds, that the disease is still spreading unchecked; that it la not being fought intelligently or adequately, and that its continuance seriously threatens not only the public health but the material interests of this vast area by the certainty of “shotgun quarantines” sooner or later, and consequent costly and vexatious interference with travel and traffic. Three views were presented at a conference with the representatives of the leading railways centering in Chicago and their co-operation with the department was urged in a concerted effort to “stamp out” the pestilence. Ready assent was given and the necessary men and means were assured. The plan contemplates wholesale vaccination and revacoination in every Infected locality; the provision and maintenance of suitable Isolation , hospital* where necessary; thorough disinfection of smallpox premises and belongings; strict inspection of all peraona offering to travel from infected localities and refusal te carry tboee who do not comply with the requi rement*. This is the measure relied on to control the objectors, “conscientious” or otherwise, and i« one fully within the power of the vail ways to enforce. Patronise those who advertise.