Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-09
THE PEST HOUSE
AND THE VARIOUS MATTERS CON.
CEhNIkG 1T.
An fxOrbitant Charge by the Steward
Causes Indignation - His Legal
Compensation General
Smallpox Matters.

ifested by the friends of Gardner Jack
sou, Esq, when George Statler, steward
OF the Piedmont Hospital, presented a
bill for 500 for his services in attending
Mr.. Jackson during the stay OF the lat.
ter at the Hospital. The fact that it has
crept into print induced REGISTER re-
porter 10 enquire into the circumstances
aud see upon what foundation the
charge was based, as we'll as ascertain
the city laws bearing upon such sub.
jects.
When it was discovered that Mr..
Jackson was about to be attacked by the
disease, DR.. Harvey was the attendant
physician and Health Officer Edwards
was summoned. The latter saw at once
that one OF the two things must be done,
viz: Quarantine him where he was, or
remove him TO a suitable place. His
friends were very solicitous for his safety
| and the Governor even suggested the
purchase OF a small house in some suit
able locality. 1t was decided to remove
him to the hospital and the ply
sicians accordingly inspected the build
ing. The wards were found to be utter.
ly unit for occupation, and were sufti.
cient TO give one the horrors to think OF
staying there. The living portion OF
the house was the only resort. At first
Statler stouiIy refused to give up room,
but after some consultation he decided
to remove his family and rent a house
in the city, which he did.
Before that, however, he had talked
to DR.. Edwards, asking what his remu-
nerstion should be for his trouble in re.
moving and for nursing and boarding
the patient. After some thought, the
physician told him 500 would be about
right, but Statler declared he must have
500 or not 90 and $500 it should be.
He expected to have to board Mr.. Jack
son alone, but the latter's mother sent
up a man named NARROW to help in the
nursing, so that Statler had two board
ers.
These are about the facts in the case.
The city law is not as explicit upon this
subject as it mil ht be. 1t says the stew
ard shall receive compensation to be
regulated by the Committee on Health
but does not provide for special cases
further than by saying il the patien,
cannot afford to pay the bills the city
shall. DIR. Edwards, when asked his
opinion OF the case, said ab tut rs fol,
lows:
IL think the bill is an exorbitant one
and its payment Iray be contested; but
il Statler should bring suit upon it
have no doubt he could collect 1t. 1t il
a matter of private contract and he
took advantage OF the circumstances
He knew OF the case before he saw Mr.
Jackson and knew that every hour wa;
valuable. This is matter in which the
city is interested. 1t was matter o
public safety. When a person is attack
ell with smallpox he is removed TO sucl
a hospital, not for his own, but for pub
lie safety. Therefore | think that i
Council can scale this bill down i
should do it, and il not should refund ,
portion OF it,
In the course OF lengthy and inter
esting conversation with the lealtl
! Officer, the reporter learned that sine,
April, 1877, there has not been case q
the hospital. This makes it appear tina
the steward has Il very "soft BERTH" n,
receives $500 per year, with honse rem
and fuel free, which is pretty fair hi,
in the way of retainer. The indica
tons, at the last meeting OF the Health
Committee, were that this salary woult
undergo a considerable reduction, an,
if 500 is to be pile1 on at each case thi,
result is tolerably certain.
The hospitll is to undergo repairs an,
improvements as quickly as it is PLACED
in condition for workmen to enter it
The living portion will be renovated an,
repapered and the wards will be NOR,
comfortably arranged, taking away thu
barn. like appearance the room now has
There was sentiment among minor
ity OF the committee in favor Of abolish
ing the place altogether, but it was judi
ciUusly squelched. Because for fou
years there have been no inmates is
poor argument in favoring OF discon
tinuing it. At one time there were min,
patients there and "in time OF peac,
prepare for war" is good maxim il
regard to Il.
There has been some little complain,
in regard to its location, and the report
er asked the Health Officer what b,
thought OF this. His response was that
the position was good one-convenien
yet not in dangerous proximity to an,
dwelling house. The objection OF low
ground was not good one, as the drain
age ran from any house and directly u
the creek, where it Wac diluted past any
danger.
The conversation turning upon Jen
ner and his valuable discovery by which
the inoculatei person couid wax I'M
scathel through the smallpox hCanital
the scribe inquired il vaccination insur'
ed perfect protection. The physician
replied that perfect operation was
about az certain a guarantee ~ could be
gwen. There were exceptions bat they
only went to prove the rule. lie
cited, as illustrations, that in
Germany vaccination is compulsory,
while it is not, in FraGc" and daring the
Franco Prussidh war, NOR soldiers in
the French army died Of smallpox than
in the German army from all causes com
bined.
Wheeling has been especially forfu-
nate during all times OF epidemic. But
her people should not be thrown of
their guard 10y this fact and should
strictly maintain those measures which
have proven their safe guard.
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