332 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



There was no uniformity, no general supervision, and no responsi- 

 bility. 



In the autumn of 1874, notwithstanding some special attention was 

 given to the matter, the number of cases of small-pox increased so 

 rapidly, and the number of unvaccinated persons was found to be so 

 g]-eat, that it was evident some more effective means must be adopted 

 to meet the danger of a great epidemic. It was at this time that a 

 permanent corps of vaccinators was organized under the charge of Dr. 

 James B. Taylor, " Inspector of Vaccination," and under the general 

 management of the Board of Health. The object of this corps was to 

 visit systematically throughout the city, especially among the tene- 

 ment-house population, offering free vaccination to all, and urging its 

 advantages and even its necessity, in view of the epidemic character of 

 the disease then prevailing. 



During the following fifteen months ending in December, 1875, 

 fifty-eight different physicians were connected with the corps, and an 

 average of seventeen were constantly employed during that whole 

 time. During this j)eriod, over 126,000 vaccinations were performed, 

 all of which, so far as possible, were carefully watched and studied by 

 competent medical men, not only for immediate practical results but 

 also for the purpose of scientific" deductions. 



The method of procedure was as follows : It was important to 

 commence the work with pure virus. Among those who had been in- 

 terested in the careful study of vaccination here in New York was the 

 late Dr. Jonas P. Loines, for many years house physician to the East- 

 ern Dispensary. Twenty years earlier he had secured from abroad 

 what was considered the best and purest virus to be obtained in any 

 country. The use of this virus he personally superintended, and its 

 results were carefully watched. It was kept separate from all other, 

 and had proved protective and thoroughly satisfactory. This was the 

 virus first used by the newly organized Vaccinating Corps. 



At first no separate districts were assigned, but those localities most 

 threatened with small-pox were sought out, and particular streets, 

 blocks, or houses were designated for special attention. Later the 

 city was districted and thoroughly canvassed. Each vaccinator made 

 semi-weekly returns of his work to the inspector. These returns were 

 on printed forms which required the name and address of the patient, 

 whether front or rear house, number of room, age, nationality, parent- 

 age, and whether a primary or revaccination. At the inspector's 

 office all these rejjorts were carefully classified and recorded for future 

 reference, primaries being kept separate from all others. 



On the eighth day every case of primary vaccination was visited 

 by a member of the corps specially qualified for the work, to observe 

 the character and condition of the vesicle, whether perfect or in any 

 way deficient, to revaccinate any cases of failure and to collect virus 

 from perfectly healthy infants presenting perfect vesicles. All vac- 



