The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-01-07
THE SMALLPOX AT MILAN.
Official Report of the Secretary to the
State Board OfHealth.

Health, +. A. Atchison, NJ. D.
Dear Sir: In accordance with instruc-
tons from you, proceeded to Milan,
on the 29th ult., to investigate the
smallpox which had made its appear
ance At that place. | reached the place
at midnight, when | met DIR. j. r.
! Harrison, and made arrangements to
meet the board of health and munici>
pal board the following morning.
Accordingly the next morning, the
Goth, | had the honor Of being at the
meeting of the board of health. |
found out from the discussions that
they had already provided all the
principal necessities for restricting the
case. A pest house has been pre-
pared, and all of the sick of the town
removed to it. But there were some
eight or ten cases, three miles off, in
private house. The board sent
delegate to the county court imploI'
ing them to provide pest house for
the county. The municipal council
had also, at the suggestion of the
board of health, ordered all persons
to be vaccinated, for which the board
has secured virus from Louisville. A
resolution was adopted in this connec-
ton to collect all infected persons, as
far as practicable, into one house, to
i be guarded there until after the period
of incubation. | assured the citizens
that you and the board would render
them all the assistance in your power.
At the nomination of the board of
health, in accordance with your sug.
gestion, l appointed DR.. j. A, Hem
derson inspector, and gave him strin-
gent instructions to allow no one to
leave the place who had been liable
to infection, and to aid him in doing
this | served notices on the passenger
agents located there, belonging to the
Chicago, St. Louis u New Orleans
railroad and the Louisville u Nash
Vile railroad to sell tickets to no pass.
engers from Milan proper without a
health certificate from DR.. Hender>
son. The board of health also de-
tailed DIR. j. r. Harrison, a thor
oughly competent physician, to take
charge of the smallpox cases and ats
tend no other cases except them, and
l hope your honor will suggest to the
county court of Gibson county the
propriety of giving him liberal fee
for this service, as smallpox patients
are, according 10 statute, charge on
the county treasury. A liberal fee
should be given, for the practice is
both lOathsOme aud excessively dam
gerous.
Before leaving saw everything put
in order, and the confident manner in
which the citizens entered on their
several duties warrants the belief it
will be done. cannot close without
paying a tribute to the zeal and ener-
gy as well as harmony which seemed
to possess everybody. Whatever the
local board recommended was en-
dorsed and ordained by the city coun-
ell. The utmost unanimity of feel,
ing prevailed, and the Mayor, Hon.
S. II. Hale, was very earnest and de-
termined to do his full share. No
one sbirked any duty. The board on
ly had to say thing was to be done
and it was done. The town ma:shal
showed the same zeal in executing orr
ders, and when the train left he was
bringing up persons for vaccination.
Speaking Of vaccination have re-
ceived two kilograms asking for vac
cine virus, and it is impossible to pro-
cure it. This is due to the extraordi>
nary demand for it. Would it not be
well enough for your honorable board
to give some expression as to the value
of humanized virus in this emergency?
1t is the only dependence and only
needs your Endorsement to be general
ly used.
There are about eighteen cases at
the present time in and around Milan,
and possibly several more will occur;
but l am satisfied the precautions
taken and which will be rigidly OBJ.
served will prevent the spread of the
disease any farther than to those al.
ready infected. The board of health
Of Milan will make regular reports OF
the progress Of the disease, and it is
to be hoped no surrounding town will
quarantine against that place, for
every necessary care has been taken
to keep it from their neighbors. ]
have the honor to be your obedient
servant, w. NJ. CLARK, NJ. D.,