Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-15
SMALLPOX.
Our City Free Of the Disease.

Our City Free OF the DASStAbc-
Knowing the anxiety that is felt by our
citizens at this time On the subject OF SMALL
pox, a representative OF this paper deter
mined, Yesterday afternoon, to find Just new
much Truth there was in the numborless re-
ports concerning its presence IN NasnVli!e'
Calling first upon DR.. I. Il. Maiden, The
reporter asked him if he would object to
making statement, for publication, with
respect TO his own knowledge regarding
our city being infected with smallpox, 70
which he replied that he was willing to tell
all be knew about il.
Reporter-How many cases are there IN
Nashville?
Doctor-Not a single case that know OF,
and have taken some trouble TO gam IT.
formation on the subject. There were sew
en- cases in Edgefeld. These cases were
all in two families-six In one family hav-
ING taken the disease from infected cloth
inc brought from Louisville, and the sew
enth case was that Of lady who took the
disease in that city, coming home SICK
She has since died, and four Others have
died, but the other two are in fair way TO
recover. DIR. Williamson, who ATTENDED
these Edgefeld cases, told me that
there had been no spreading OF the disease
from the original seven cases. The two
patients who will recover, had very light
attacks, having both been vacclnated.
Reporter-It is rumored about the streets
that there are number OF cases IN the
city.
Doctor-I Know there are such rumoTs.
In fact. was told that there were eleven
patients taken from one house last night
! but am in position to know, positively,
that the report was entirely unTounded. 1
| have talked with number Of the physici-
aus in the city, and they all say that they
don't know of case Of smallpox In Nash
vile.
But there is reason for anxiety on the
subject, for we will have the disease mere
before long. 1t has become epidemic 10
Louisville, and there is great deal OF 1t IN
S.. Louis and Memphis. However II peo-
pie will get vaccinsted, we will set along
very well, for then if they take the disease
at all, it will be merely light form OF va
rioloid.
Reporter-Then you give it as your opin-
ion, Doctor, that there is not a single case
Of smallpox in Nashville?
Doctor-There is none that l know OF.
If there is any, it is hid away in the shan
ties of the poorer class. But don't thins
there are any cases there, for was asking
DR.. Morton, the city physician, about it,and
be said he did not know Of any cases. Per
haps, though, you had better call upon him,
and no doubt he will be able TO tell you Tor
a certainty how that is.
The reporter made several calls at the
residence of DR., Morton, but failed to see
him.
Meeting Mr.. Patterson, the city marshal,
be asked him what he knew about there
being any cases of small pOx IN Nashville
CITY Msrshal-Well, now, can tell you
lust as much about that matter as any one
It is my duty to hunt up ell cases reported
and to notify the city physician. Ihefe
have been quite number OF eases reported
to me, but upon inquiry, have found thai
The stories were unfounded. There were
two cases at the Kossouth House, but the
patients were sent to the Pest house imme
diately. There were eight cases reported
10 me; but when | went to examine then
found there was 20 smallpox there. The
nearest ] came 10 it was in finding LITTLE
child sick with the chicken-pox. II Vol
see the city physician. he viii tell you thu
| same story that do that there Is not
case of smslipox in Nashville,
With all this coed authority, We thini
our citizens need feel no further uneasiness
at least not fer the present. But ever
man, woman and child ia the ci5y shoul'
be vaccinated as soon as possible. 10 som
places the people have been required, D.
city ordinance, TO take this important pre-
caution, and the violence OF the dre2de'
disease has been greatly abated in conse
ouence. Most Of cur physicians are fur
iished with vaccine matter which they fee
perfectly safe III using, aud they should /
called upon without delay. l. this age q
civilization. n man has % much reason 9
doubt the utility Of the steam engine, as
Doubt the efficacy Of vaccination.