The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-01-05
PLAIN TALK ABOUT DISEASE.

There is no use to be alarmed at
the presence of small pox in this
city. There are only few cases
so far, and if the people will unite
in an earnest effort to arrest its
course it can be eradicated entirely
i'll few weeks. The most disagree
able part of the affair, is that any,
body in authority should attempt to
deceive the people. The STATES
MAN holds that the way to pre-
vent spread of the disease
is to give the most perfect informa-
ton as to its presence, and when it
fails to do what it can in this direc-
tion it will cease to perform its
duty. An upright newspaper is
called upon often to circulate things
for which itreceived violent condem
nation, and it has been surprising
to us TO learn that the STATESMAN
has, in few instances, been fiercely
condemned for telling what news
paper enterprise should discover
and give to the public. The STATES
MAN reports nothing but what is
true, unless it be that it is misin-
formed by those in whom trust is
placed. 1t told that the public had
been deceived as to the timely re-
moval of sick and dead bodies; il
told, yesterday, of new cases devel-
oped, and its statements were de-
MED upon the streets by those from
whom no denial was expected, and
yet these cases did develop, and the
sickness proves our statements
true. AS said, effort has been made
to lead the paper astray, as to the ex-
istencc of the disease, and we regret
to say thai application need no
longer be made to the health de-
partnicnt of the city for reliable
news. The right to communicate by
telephone with small pox quarters
across the river, was denied yester-
day, and thus means of learn
ing whether the sick are
promptly removed, is not per-
mlttcd. Yet every effort will be
made to keep the public posted
through these columns, hoping
thereby to be able to place all upon
their guard. In this connection we
would urge everybody to test vac
cination to its fullest extent. Vac
cinatc, and prevent communication
with any infected quarters that may
be discovered, and soon there will
be no disease on hand. Austin is
not at all alone in experiencing
an outbreak of this disease. 1t
has existed in San Antonio and
other places for many months, and
has spread in these places only so
far as personal communication has
caused it. 1t is all over the north,
all'over the country, in fact, and the
course to be pursued here Is simply
to kill it out by every precautionary
measure at command. Some eight
or nine years ago this same
disease was in Austin, and there
was no removal of cases
beyond the city limits. The cases
remained where they originated,
and nobody in any other house took
the disease, though near it,. AT
another time the disease prevailed
in a family, a member of which
brought it from northern city.
The house was carefully guarded
and the family was finally removed.
Nobody else took the disease. Had
the late cases, Introduced, been prop
erly guarded, and had no deception
been practiced, whereby people
were thrown off their guard, the
STATESMAN, probably, would not
now be engaged in keeping up
warning against a most loathsome
and dangerous disease. If the au-
thorities do not meet the necessities
of the case promptly, then the peO-
Pile have the remedy in their own
hands, and we think il may even
now be time to use it.