SMALLPOX

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1928, Page 3

SMALLPOX

.\N EXPERT’S WARNING

LON DON, Doc. 21

Dr William Wrmkiyn, the wellknown expert on the subject of smallpox, lias issued a warning Fearing on the tendency in these days to neglect vaccination against smallpox. “We have a deadly enemy, smallpox.” be says. “Since 1840 it lias dost roved 290.000 of our people, /iiaimed and ruined many hundreds of thousands more. It swarms now in the world to the extent of 1.000,000 eases a year. It has established itself firmly within our gates to the extent of FLOOD eases this year. It has .succeeded in having itself called mild, a misnomer. for short of killing, it docs any amount of other mischief, perhaps the worst of which is that it deludes our people into despising it and all its brood, into lowering our defences.

and so opening a way for an invasion of the malignant type. Meantime infection of this type frequently creeps in among us from the- mass of cases overseas. “What prevents this deadly enemy from ravaging us right and lelt? llio devoted team work of the medical profession. Nothing else stands between our people and a devastating epidemic of smallpox. HIGH TIME TO FACE POSITION. “If present diflicuties increase, and if that medical barrier be sufficiently woa icened, smallpox will certainly sweep in and overwhelm us. In what do those difficulties and that weakening process consist? Tu the increasing abandonment of general vaccination and consequent increase ol smallpox ‘fodder’ ; in the natural lapse of time which lias removed, and steadily tontin uos to remove, those who knew smallpox in the old days and itt its true colours. The older hands cannot go on for ever, nor can their experience survive them. “My prediction is that with the continued influence of tho=e adverse factors as tliev are now operating there will come a sudden widespread, iiiicontroliabe. and devastating epidemic of smallpox. “It is therefore high time to face the position and to act accordinglv. In this way onlv can the position be saved, and in this way the position can certainly be saved, gome of us have sacrificed a great part of our lives and private means in endeavouring to bring home the truth on this matter to our fellow citizens.

“Support the Ministry of Health, support the local authorities, support the medical nrofession and the general team work which is in hand.”