SMALL POX.

Otago Witness, Issue 904, 27 March 1869, Page 1

SMALL POX.

Fresie caries of small-pox have made their appearance in Melbourne. The fact that a brother and sister, living far apart from each other, were simuk taneously attacked by this disorder home ten days ago naturally attracted greatattention. It was regarded as an additional and conclusive proof that small-pox had fairly established itself in Melbourne, and that consequences of the most serious nature were to be apprehended^ The newspapers abound in communications on the subject. Among them is a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr McCrea, who offers much useful advice for the prevention of further outbreaks. Ho recommends universal vaccination, as the primary and most powerful means to that end. Every one, young and old. should be immediately vaccinated or re-vaccinated. His next prescription is the purification of houses by means of disinfectants. The fumes of burn, ing sulphur or carbolic acid are described by him as effectual agents for this purpose. ' A few live coals on a shovel — or on a stove or in a flowerpot— placed iv a room with the doors and windows closed, and a few grains of sulphur sprinkled on them, will fill the apartment with a li»-lit vapour which will penetrate to every part of it, and utterly destroy any germs of contagion in it/ With the addition of cleauluii'ss and ventilation, Dr McCkea thinks that the danger may be faced without any apprehension of the result. The un 3 easiness prevalent in Melbourne on th 'a subject must be very great, judging from the concluding advice of the Doctor against 'too much alarm.' It is certainly not re-assuring to be told, that 'the only deaths which have occurred were confined to those cases in which. $te&e precautions vprj

neglected.' TJie inference from such an admission is, that neglect of these precautions involves the appearance of small pox. If the citizens of Melbourne can feel no sense of security until they have fumigated their rooms with sulphur, they can hardly avoid giving way to alarm. Such a condition of affairs is an excuse for a panic, if anything can be. It is well known that when this fearful scourge presents itself, it usually makes very slow progress at first. Its attacks are lingering and intermittent. It appears and disappears ; at one moment filling the mind with apprehension, at another lulling it into false and fatal confidence. In crowded cities, where filth and uncleanliness are gathered together in heaps, the chances are terribly in favour of the disease. The lowest classes of the people invite it by their utter disregard of all precautions. Sulphur and carbolic acid can hardly do much in places where fresh air and water are unknowi, .foul ditches reeking in the sunlight, and choking cesspools poisoning the atmosphere. Accumulated evils of this Hnd are. not to be swept away at a moment's notice, and the inevitable delay in the process affords ample time for the establishment of the contagion.

The neighbouring Colonies have done ■well to guard against the introduction of the disorder; and in this Colony, ■where it has already appeared, no safeguard should be neglected. The story of the poor negro, Francisco, disclosed a pitiable case of suffering; but it also disclosed the utter helplessness of the local authorities to deal •with his complaint. They appear to have had no idea of the requisite treatment. Fright apparently drove them to act towards the sufferer as the Jews of old acted towards the lepers. They banished him from their gates. We cannot be surprised to learn that Francisco's sufferings threaten to avenge themselves, by the re-appearance of the disease in the same district. A great deal of difficulty will probably be experienced in dealing with it. It is fortunate for the colony that small-pox has presented itself in a country district instead of a populous town ; but it must not be forgotten that smallpox can travel from place to place, and^ that when it has once seized upon a victim, there is every probability that it will seize upon many others in succession. Months may elapse before it assumes such proportions as to create alarm ; yet if it is suffered to infect the air, no precaution can be unnecessary. Some time has elapsed since men began to talk of it in Melbourne, and perhaps few entertained any doubtas to its summary extinction by the medical fraternity. After months of argument on the matter, it appears that all the medical skill of the colony has failed to extinguish it. The subject is far too important to be trifled with. It is to be hoped that the general propensity of mankind to regard distant dangers with indifference, will not interfere with the prompt attention which such a danger as this demands. The medical officers in the public service are no doubt upon their guard. The municipal authorities also, are probably aware of their responsibilities. But there is room to doubt whether private individuals are always as cautious in these matters as they ousrht to be. Too many are apt to wait until the danger they should guard against is staring them in the face.