THE OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11791, 14 January 1904, Page 4

THE OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX.

The discovery of two cases_of smallpox in this district is a matter for regret, but one which gives no ground for any "scare/ , A colony such as New Zealand, in close shipping communication with the rest of the world, can hardly expect to escape an occasional sporadic outbreak of a disease which ie endemic in many countries, and which is easily transmissible through infected clothes. The effect of the Gracchus care of the early part of last year was to make more stringent the precautions taken at the several porta of the colony against the introduction of infectious disease, but there is a limit to the effectiveness of thie important line of defence. Wlen this fails, as it mart have dose to allow of tie

existence of the two cases now occupying so much attention, the health authorities have recourse to a system of rigorously isolating all persons likely in any way to have become infected. As it is carried out under Dr. Mason's orders this system affords almost perfect immunity from danger to the rest of the community. Gar report shows how thoroughly the work is being performed. All the "contacts" who can be traced are being segregated at the Bottle Lake Hospital. It might be urged that it is unnecessary to take such an extreme step, and that it would be sufficient for the public health if the "contacts" were compelled to report themselves daily to the District Health Officer for examination. But considering the dangerous nature of smallpox, it would be unreasonable to complain of the guardians of the public health taking a serious view of their ifsponsibilities and employing all available methods to diminish tho risk of an epidemic. The "contacts" isolated at Bottle Lake will not, perhaps, be inclined to regard tlie situation so philosophically, but they must derive what consolation is possible from the thought that it is better for a few to suffer inconvenience than for many to incur the danger of smallpox.