IMMIGRANT-INSPECTION SERVICE, N. B. H.-WESTERN DISTRICT. Inspections and Vaccinations by the Assistant Inspectors, June 1-December 31, 1882. NOVEMBER. DECEMBER. JUNE 1-DECEMBER 31. STATIONS. P., Ft. W. & C. R. R.. Number Number Number Number Number Number inspected. vac'inated inspected. vac'inated inspected. vac'inated L. S. & M. 8. R. R.. M. C. R. R Grand Trunk R. R. -B. & O. R. R.. 781 103 11,945 2.493 Indianapolis.. St. Louis.. TABLES, SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION OF IMMIGRANTS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, JUNE 1-DECEMBER 31, 1882. Total number of immigrants inspected 115, 057 Found to have had small-pox. Found to have been satisfactorily vaccinated before sailing or during the voyage. 57,302 3,127 Vaccinated at seaboard quarantines or by intermediate inspectors. 28,408 21,618 Not accounted for-including those deemed inadvisable to vaccinate 4,602 115, 057 Total number found to have been vaccinated or revaccinated on shipboard Total number of vaccinations performed in the Western District.... VACCINATION OF SCHOOL-CHILDREN. ALTHOUGH during the four months prior to November, 1881, there had been only twelve new introductions of small-pox into localities in the State outside of Chicago, and these had, in no instance, given rise to any serious or alarming spread of the disease; yet a careful study of the local conditions, and of the progress of the epidemic elsewhere, led to the conclusion that its wide-spread prevalence throughout the State was highly probable. A special meeting of the STATE BOARD OF HEALTH was, therefore, called early in November, and, as previously recited, the situation was thoroughly canvassed.* Among other matters, evidence was adduced of the existence of a very large percentage of unvaccinated or imperfectly vaccinated school-children, and it was shown that, outside of Cook county, there were less than half a dozen localities where a certificate of vaccinal protection was required from scholars before admission to the schoolroom. Roughly estimated, from information already acquired, it was believed that fully one-half of the public school-children were unprotected against small-pox by vaccination at the date of this meeting. The importance of this factor, in a sanitary problem of the character now presented, may be seen by a glance at the figures of population. According to the school census of 1882, the population. of the State in that year was 3,331,644, of which number 1,037,567, or over thirty-one per cent., were of the school age, 6-21 years, and of these 713,431 were enrolled scholars. Manifestly, if this large element of the population could be secured against danger of variolous infection, it was imperative that it be done forthwith. * The act constituting the STATE BOARD charges it with "the general supervision of the interests of the health and life of the citizens of the State;" and empowers it with "authority to make such rules and regulations * as it may from time to time deem necessary for the preservation or improvement of the public health." In the exercise of this supervision, and believing that a sanitary necessity existed of sufficient gravity to justify the BOARD in fully exercising its authority, the following Order was issued: *See ante, page 212. |