Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-15
Beard Of Health.

bG0fO Oh HteAltu.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER on THE
SMALL PoX sCARE-AArTERs NOT AS FAD
AS REPRESENTED.
At meeting of the board of health, last
night, Medical Inspector Stewart reported that
since the 10th instant he had vaccinated 40
persons at his office.
The health officer reported case of small pox
in a house at the corner of II and 18th streets
northwest, occupied by eoiored family named
Carter. He had investigated the facts con-
nccted with this case. and found three of the
children sick with the disease, and that there
had been neglect on the part of the physician to
the poor for the fifth district. in not giving the
proper attention to these poor people, nor in
porting tie cases to the board, as 1t was his duty
TO do. The health officer read a sworn state
ment from Jere. Carter, in which il is stated
that the physician complained Of had been APP
piled Ia by Carter to vaccinate his children
some time since, and no response was made:
that afterwards, when his children were taken
sick with small pox, he called upon the same
physician and told him that he was unable To
employ physician, having NO means to paw,
and requested him to render him the necessary
medical service, and was told that il could not
be granted without payment in advance. After
some debate, in which the members expressed
themselves very freely, the matter was referred
TO the health officer to obtain from the physician
his version OF the matter before further action
by the board.
DIR. Verdi submitted a report in which he
states that the smallpox during the past week
has decreased, that many cases reported to the
board had upon Investigation been found to be
false alarms; that the complaint made about the
smallpox ambulance being allowed to stop
~ minutes on street, between 18th and 18th
streets, was scare, as he had found the ainbu-
lance to be the one just finished for the board
which had never been IN use, and was its
way to the Office for inspection; that the state
ment that Mrs. PartI idge had died unattended
was untrue, as he had received a letter from
her son, Mr.. John A. Partridge, wherein he
compliments the board and its agents highly for
their attention and kindness in the case; that he
had examined into the case reported by DR..
Ifax ar1rA ff. nf..
Early had died OF the disease and 10 inspection
had been made, no disinfectants used, and no
flag shown, and had found that no notice OF the
case had been sent them until after the DEATH
when the inspector took charge of the BODY and
planted a flag, which had not been removed
until after the premises had been thoroughly
case reported by Mr.. Langston Of alleged har.l-
ship brought upon Mr.. Price and family by the
n mOyal of injected clothing while the disease
yet existing among some members of his family,
and had found that Mr.. Price himself had left
an order requesting that his bedding, clothing
and carpets be removed, as he wished to clean
his premises and have the flag taken down.
Mr. Price states that he was treated in a care
fnl manner, and has nothing to complain of.
The report alludes to the tendency of people to
become panic stricken during the prevalence OF
epidemics which occasions many rulnors devoid
of truth. The health officer states that after
having given his undivided attention TO the re-
lief OF the unfortunate victims TO this disease
under great variety of circumstances he has
10 report that the humane work i'm when thew
are engaged is done with prOmptness, fidelity
and delcacy. He reports the dwellings and
buildings occupied by the employees attached 20
the smallpox hospital, &c, IN good condition;
and that all articles removed on account of in
lection are properly fumigated disinfected and
kept under the care of Mr.. Sprague, to be re-
turned TO the owners when applied for.
A communication from DIR. Bushnell in rela-
ton to the neglect to yaccinate school children
was referred to the school trustees.
Communications were read from the Commits
SiOnerS of the Land Office. Pension Office and
from Judge EdmOnds, Of the Post Once, ask
ing for asufficient number OF vaccine points To
yaccinate the clerks I'm the offices named. Con-
siderable discussion followed as to the propriety
of acceding to the request. OH account OF the
collapsed condition Of their funds, and, finally
on motion, it was decided to send the points with
bills covering the cost OF the same to reimburse
the board. . -'.'..t go