300 THE WONDERFUL HOUSE THAT JACK HAS 



countries, before vaccination was discovered, the 

 number of deaths from smallpox annually averaged 

 about three thousand to a million inhabitants. Less 

 than a hundred years later, in 1890, their records 

 showed that the deaths from smallpox for an entire 

 year were only fifteen. In Germany, where the 

 vaccination of infants is compulsory and children 

 must be revaccinated at the age of twelve, smallpox 

 is almost unknown. A few days of sore arm or leg 

 and some little discomfort are the only unpleasant 

 effects usually following successful vaccination. 



Unfortunately people are often very careless about 

 mingling with others 'in public places when some 

 member of their own family has a contagious disease. 

 The neighbors and acquaintances of such inconsiderate 

 folk should not hesitate to avoid them nor to report 

 their names to the proper authorities for such negli- 

 gence. We get out of the way of a mad dog quickly, 

 nor do we consciously allow ourselves to be burned 

 by fire. Surely we should be just as particular to 

 protect our bodies from contagious diseases which 

 may do even greater harm. Rules of health depart- 

 ments are made by men of wisdom and experience 

 for the benefit of the entire community. All should 

 obey their instructions without hesitation and as 

 faithfully as possible. 



Certain diseases, such as smallpox, usually make 

 one very ill rapidly, and their danger is well known. 

 Consequently the advice of a physician is, as a rule, 



