MICROBE OF SMALLPOX PLAGUE 207 



burns; head aches; back pains; face reddens; eyes 

 become bloodshot; stomach throws up. The pa- 

 tient is thoroughly sick. 



On the third day, red eruption appears on the 

 forehead, lips. It is the advance guard a day or 

 two later come the pustules. They cover the body ; 

 they harden; they soften; they fill with pus; they 

 scab over; they are surrounded with red rings. A 

 strong odor is emitted. 



The disease is loathsome, destructive. About one 

 half the patients die. 



As recovery begins, itching begins; scabs fall; 

 pockmarks remain. A pitted face is henceforth 

 the telltale. 



Vaccination is now the universal preventive of 

 the Smallpox Plague. The vaccine was dis- 

 covered by Jenner a century and a quarter ago. 

 Before the discovery, the pitted face, the world 

 over, was the rule; the smooth face the exception. 

 Now, the world over, the smooth face is the rule; 

 the pitted face the exception. The doctor's vaccine 

 has wrought the revolution. He stands in history 

 one of the world's great benefactors. His message 

 proclaims to the world to-day what vaccine may yet 

 do for other diseases. 



But the world takes a vicious delight in crucify- 

 ing its Saviours. When Jenner announced his 

 great discovery, he was scoffed, ridiculed, kicked! 



