Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/659

 A MODEL MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT 635

are furnished to him in turn by the department. In this way it has been found that much more thorough results are secured, and at a lower cost.

The general work of the Bureau of Vaccination divides itself naturally into four classes : (*z) city jails ; city lodging- houses; (c) night vaccination of smallpox house or district; (df) office vaccination. That is, the jails of the city are visited regularly every day, as also is the city lodging-house, in order that each newcomer may be vaccinated. There is also an office squad to vaccinate free of charge all persons who come to the Health Department headquarters. Night vaccination is always resorted to where a case of smallpox is reported, as being the most sure means of covering the largest number of people, as well as in times of threatened epidemic.

Dr. Walter Bensil, former assistant chief of the Division of Contagious Diseases, was the originator of the present system of vaccination in New York city, and deserves much credit for its efficiency. The following features seem to be especially worthy of note, and might be adopted with success by many other large cities in the country:

Chief features of the Bensil system of vaccination. (i) The "squad" system and method of reporting. By dividing the vac- cinators into squads, under the direction of a superintendent, not only is more time saved than by the old system of report- ing every morning to the Health Department, but also the work can be more thoroughly overseen and the whole city force con- centrated in any locality at short notice. (2) More thorough and systematic work is obtained, the whole city being covered in a methodical manner and a careful record kept of the work done. (3) Prevention of waste material, and consequent saving in the cost of work, due to the giving out of vaccine and other supplies by the district superintendent, instead of each man get- ting it for himself in any quantity direct from headquarters.

If it be asked why the Bensil method of vaccination deserves such special mention, it may be answered most effectively by pointing out the results achieved under the present administra- tion in stamping out the epidemic of smallpox which prevailed