BLACK MAN'S SMALLPOX.

Evening Star, Issue 11676, 7 February 1902, Page 2

BLACK MAN'S SMALLPOX.

Evidently we do not know all that is to he known about smallpox. Few’ people, for instance, know that black man's smallpox is not white man's smallpox, and no one knows why it is not Yet the fact remains that in West Africa smallpox is rife among the natives, but that white men rarely take it. An engineer who surveyal new State railways ilnough most difficult districts says that it was no uncommon, thing for one of the native carriers to develop unmistakeable smallpox while on the march. He was usually able to keep gorn", however, and nothing w’as done except to” order him to keep at a distance. He had heard of many cases among the natives, but of no white man taking it from a native. This statement is confirmed by a report just received from the medical officer o' the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, hi which it is stated that since the rising smallpox has been raging among the natives throughout the colony. ‘‘This smalipix affecting the natives. ’ adds the doctor, “although practically identical with that of other countries, does not appear to be easily communicated to the white main in fact, 1 never heard of an instance.” Despite this immunity, however, it is strongly ad vised that anyone going out to West Africa should be vaccinated or revacc&eted before leaving England.