The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-23
AN UNWARRANTABLE INTRUSION.

Editor of the Bulletin
| Dear .Su-To-day one Of the grassest out
RACES q deem it, was perpetrated at the resi-
dence of NJ. Fallon, III st. Joseph street, by
police officers acting under the authority o.
DR.. c. b. White, President of the Board o!
Health, ever witnessed in a civilized or hui
name community. poor, little, inotfensive
boy, conyalescing from an attack Of varioloid,
or modified smallpox, was ruthlessly dragged
from his bed by seven police officers, thrown
in the charity wagon and driven OF to the
hospital, although his poor. mother in the
agony of despair. and almost bereft of her
reason at Thea thought Of having her child
torn from her, threw herself across his body,
and pleaded with the servants of the Board OF
Health, and implored them with tears in her
eyes. and in the name Of God, not to take her
child from her, as she had nurseG and cared
for him until he was almost well, and that
there could not possibly be any sense in re-
moving him. but all without avail
| called to see the child a few moments
after the above occurrence, and learned the
facts from eye witnesses. The father being
had gone to the hospital with her child |
found the whole neighborhood highly excited
at the outrage, and learning that the officer
who made the arrest was i'll the neighborhood,
| went Immediately to hitn and asked him by
what authority he invaded private house
and took a child theretrom against the wish
OF his parents. The officer Air. Woody very
politely showed me his authority, which was
in the form Of letter from Dr.. White to Dr.
S. S. Herrclz Sanitary Inspector of the FIRST
District, under V hose ord, rs Mr.. Woody is
acting Informing him tla. a yellow flag ION
account OF the presence Of i case of small
pox at the house III s. Joseph S. had
been placed there and had been twice removed
by parties in tile house, and IN consequence
thereof he instructed him 70 x, to the house
aud have the child taken theGe!ron to the
hospital.
would ask what on earth the POOR little
sufferer had to do with the removal Of the
flag? Why should he be punished for it,
May be the President OF the Board Of Health
can answer. Now, Mr. Editor, know Dr.
White claims to be acting upon authority
invested in him by the City Council but |
would ask III the name of common reason,
10 you not think DR.. White has overstepped
his authority? Let the case be brought home
to any family in this city of wealth and in
huence. Do you think it would be quietly
borne or in such case do you think such
measures Of violence would be resorted to?
don't. Does DR.. White pretend that by the
removal OF this case any sanitary benefit will
accrue to the neghborhood, (for il is for
this end the Board of Health pretend TO be
working, when there are SIX more cases ia the
same block. or rather in a block of the house
III st. Joseph Ii he does he should not in
my opinion be the President Of the Board of
Health, for there is more danger of spreading
the disease by carrying the patient through
the public throughflre5 to the hosrjtal than
in keeping him confined &c rs room |
quote the best medical authority to sugtain
me herein:
at is not YET determined at VII It period the
poison Of smallpox is first generated by the
patients person, whether during the primary
tever (Which lasts from two to four days, TIL
the eruption appears, whel the fever for the
most part remiis) but it probably begins to
form and multiply during The primary fever.
Gener,lly, it may be stated that the poison is
most powerful when it IS most manifest to the
sense of smell; that the dried crusts of the
pustues or scabS possess the power Of com
the disease and retain this power
for very long time. 1t has been caught By
passing child i'll Of smallpox in the street,
50 that to expose person in the public
highway infected with this c9nta9jon, is con
5idered a common nuisance, ald lndlctable rs |
such.
In your opinion will the law sustain the
party or parties who are responsible for this |
outrage upon this poor family.
Very respectfully,
JOHN Nj. CULLEN, NJ d,