of the sick room and clothing are usually
sufficient after the passing of the disease without chemical
disinfection.

=SMALLPOX.=--Smallpox is one of the most contagious diseases known. It
is extremely rare for anyone exposed to the disease to escape its
onslaught unless previously protected by vaccination or by a former
attack of the disease. One is absolutely safe from acquiring smallpox
if recently and successfully vaccinated, and thus has one of the most
frightful and fatal scourges to which mankind has ever been subject
been robbed of its dangers. The _contagium_ is probably derived
entirely from the scales and particles of skin escaping from smallpox
patients, and in the year 1905-6 the true germ of the disease was
discovered by Councilman, of Boston. It is not necessary to come in
direct contact with a patient to contract the disease, as the
_contagium_ may be transmitted some little distance through the air,
possibly even outside of the sick room. One attack almost invariably
protects against another. All ages are liable to smallpox; it is
particularly fatal in young children, and during certain epidemics has
proved more so in colored than in white people.

=Development.=--A period of ten or twelve days usually elapses after
exposure to smallpox before the appearance of the first symptoms of
the disease. This period may vary, however, from nine to fifteen days.

=Symptoms.=--There is a preliminary period of from twenty-four to
forty-eight hours after the beginning of the disease before an
eruption occurs. The onset is ushered in by a set of symptoms
simulating those seen in severe _grippe_, for which smallpox is often
mistaken at this time. The patient is suddenly seized with a chill,
severe pains in the head, back, and limbs, loss of appetite and
vomiting, dizziness on sitting up, and fever--103 deg. to 105 deg. F. In young
children convulsions often take the place of the chill seen in
adults. On the second day a rash often appears on the lower part of
the belly, thighs, and armpits, which may resemble that characteristic
of measles or scarlet fever, but does not last for over a day or two.
It is very evanescent and, consequently, rarely seen. Diarrhea often
occurs, as well as vomiting, particularly in children. On the evening
of the fourth day the true eruption usually appears; first on the
forehead or face, and then on the arms, hands, and legs, palms, and
soles. The eruption takes successively four for