“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 16

“The Press” In 1864

May 27 SCARLET FEVER The number of cases of scarlet fever which have recently occurred, and the number of deaths which have ensued, is a sufficient reason for our calling public attention to the spread of this malignant and fatal disorder, with the object of suggesting such steps as may lessen if not obliterate the spread of contagion. Our knowledge is wholly empirical. But we have one remarkable theory which establishes the fact that, with regard to all events to a certain class of diseases, the condition of the body is the principal element in the acceptance «r rejection of infection. We mean that class of complaints which can be as a general rule suffered

only once in a man’s life The most malignant of these is small pox. It was long since established as general rule that a system which had sustained one attack of small pox was safe against future infection. It was next found that by communicating the disorder artificially it could be introduced generally in a milder form than if caught by ordinary infection; hence arose the system of inoculation, and at least the further discovery was made that if the system were subjected to a very trifling disorder. by vaccination, the same result would be produced as if the patient had suffered the malady itself. Vaccination was the first great homeopathic fact which was recognised by science. But can there

be anything less likely, any theory more unphilosophical than to believe that small pox is the only disease to which this great law applies? Setting aside those disorders which are liable to recur frequently in life, and referring only to those whose power over the human frame seems to exhaust itself in one attack, is it likely, we ask. that small pox stands alone in its subjection to the homeopathic law? If the virus of small pox once introduced into the system is a protective against small pox, and if another poison of a kindred nature so introduced has the same effect: is it not most likely that there are antidotes existing to at all events all the class of disease of which we are speaking?