The Arizona sentinel., 1877-12-01
Small POx at Yuma.

for three weeks. 1t is remarkable that it has not spread, although the patients and their friends
 have, with criminal indiffer- ence, taken few steps to avoid spreading the malady among their neighbors. The cases are all now we'll known, are with one eX- ception confined to children and entirely restricted to those who have never been vaccinated. Not a case has yet occurr. d west of Man street; no new cases have been reported this week, nor does it appear that any more cases are likely to occur. It was here once before, twelve or fourteen years ago; there were then three casf S, one of which proved fatal. Capt. Wilcox has been stuffing the Los Angeles Herald with one of his sailor yarns about small pox here about the time of inc Gadsden treaty. At that time there was no settlement here; Wilcox was pad- ding around among the Indi ns here in the mud with flat boat and this was not the malady that came under his observation. One of our leases" was isolated and a subscription taken up to hire a man to tend and guard him; after two days of fever he broke out in three boils on the back of his neck. His quarantine is raised.
 The sensational reports publish ed by the California press are like those of "Intense Heat" and of "Yuma's Commercial Glory De- parted Forever" etc.
 For the benefit of readers in other parts, where there may be danger, we publish the best information we can gather concerning small poX. Moisture is favorable to reproduction of small pox; our dry climate has a contrary effect. After ten years of research Dr. B. w. Richardson writes as follows:
 So long as person is affected with the organic poison (of small pox) and is giving off vapor at certain temperature, he is poisonous. The poison is mechanically carried and distributed by the yapor. It is harmless in dry state, but resumes its activity in moisture. It may be destroyed by extreme dilution, by heat, by chlorine and by sulphurous acid (the fumes uf burn- ing sulphur). Bright sunlight is potent means of its destruction. Cold, sulphur, and arsenic preserve it. The poison may travel as dry, solid matter in sewage, be waited through the air, be carried in cloth: ing or in water or watery vapor A man affected with it is as deadly as the cobra; he should be isolated and care be taken that his secre tions (secretions of his skin, his breath, urine, etc.) do not come in con- tact with susceptible healthy persons, and the danger is over.
 The first symptoms of small pox are not unlike those of typhoid fever; but when the wrists and forehead bear little pimples that feel like fine shot imbedded under the skin, there is no longer room for doubt. The patient should at once be isolated in d place where there is plenty of light and air, but no draft. A tent is, in this climate. the best Xii d of a hospital. His face should be covered by a mask, that will shield it from the light. Light seems to cause deep pits; but complete darkness is al- most sure death. While the fever rages use chloride of lime around your hospital, wherever the chlo- rine will not irritate the sick One's lungs, and keep him isolated. At other periods the danger of irfec- tion is smaller. Do not neglect thorough ventilation all the time. Dig a hole a,.d into it throw all the urine and other secreiions of the patient, together with chlo- ride of lime and dry earth. Keep the bowels regular, and there is little more to be done. In the English army it is customary to smear the patients breast with