SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

Northern Advocate, 16 May 1914, Page 7

SMALLPOX OUTBREAK.

DOUBT OP DISEASE SETTLED

DR. VENERY SMITH'S OPINIONS

"It is smallpox." This was the definite pronouncement made, by Dr. Ventry Smith wlien'he saw' J ttie first two epidemic cases in Whangarei just on a year ago. In Auckland the authorities refused to credit the information, and some disparaging remarks were made on what was referred to as a "country doctor's diagnosis." It is a matter of history how Dr. Ventry Smith never wavered from his original opinion, and how at•; last the medrcal conference which sat in Auckland confirmed his diagnosis , with but one dissenting-voice.

For the past few months Dr. Ventry Smith has been on an extended tour of England, Canada and Australia, and while passing through Sydney he made very full inquiries into the smallpox outbreak there.

"Is it the same disease as we had in North Auckland last winter?" asked an "Advocate" representative.

"Vlt is identical," replied Dr. Ventry Smith. "I had a loiig interview with Dr. Paton, chief medical officer of the New South Wales Government, and ■he stated, as mentioned in the N,ew South Wales "Medical Gazette" of May 4, conclusive; evidence of the nature of the disease had been supplied by tests and experiments on calves and monkeys with vaccine frojm patients. Lymph from chickenpo'x was also tried on the animals —the result was nil. "Further cases of smallpox are feared in New South Wales during the coming winter," proceeded Dr. Ventry Smith, owing to the fact that, so many of the population are still unvaccinated.." In conclusion he emphasised the fact that vaccination was the sheetanchor and the only way to effectually .combat the dread disease..