The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-03

S>~O
From the communications published below,
it will be seen that all cause of alarm from the
smallpox is unnecessary. 1t is safe to say
that the disease IS now under control, and
there is every prospect gifts entire eradication
in the near future, The communication from
the Board of Health was only made public on
Tuesday night, though prepared some two
weeks before
The report of the City Physician, Mayor
and President of the Council was handed in
yesterday evening, and gives an official state
ment of the disease at that time.
10 the President md Members Of the Council:
GENTLEMEN-In response to the resolution
of the 9Th inst, the Board OF Health has the
honor to submit the following report: *
The second section of the ordinance con-
| corning the Board of Health has been practi-
| cally complied with, save in the instance here
after noted.
| For convenience of observation and inspec-
| tim, the city was triangnlated, and the de-
stricts have been under the almost daily Obser-
Walton of the members of the Board of Health,
Iduring the past year. Nuisances observed by
| or reported to the Board have been abated.
g The Board has held frequent informal con-
| ferences and discussed and devised measures
conservative of the city healthfulness. These
meetings have been held with a frequency
even exceeding the requirements OF the ordl-
| nance. 1t is true, the Board has failed to COM
ply with the technicaitics of the ordinance in
not making monthly reports to the council OF
their proceedings. Yet the interests OF the
city have not been neglected. Conferences as
the occasion seemed to require were held with
/ al, Iuh1 10 Of
occupant Of the Mayoralty-C Capt. w. l.. Bal
this.
Early IN the present year the Board met and
held a conference with the Chairman OF the
Committee of Health from the Council, at
which time energetic steps were taken TO pre-
vent the invasion of tie city by smallpox,
which seemed to be rampant throughout the
country. Stringent measures for the yacclna-
ton of persons residing in the community
were adopted.
Since the first of June last, fifteen cases of
smallpox have occurred within the city linn
its, all of which were promptly removed las
soon as information was received OF their ex-
istence) to the hospital, the only exception
being the case of Mrs. G.. e., who died at her
residence, tae county authorities having re-
fused to allow her transfer to the hospital
which was situated lust beyond the corporate
limits The patients have been and are still
under the care and supervision OF the city
physician, who is cx-officio member OF the
Board of Health.
A Waterman over the premises has been all
the time on duty during the day-while at
night two white nurses have been present to
supply the wants of the sick, and preclude any
unauthorized or improper communications
with the city. 1t is suggested that a night
watch be also employed to guard the premi
SEES.
The Board of Health would recommend the
adoption of the following measures i'll order
to secure prompt reports Of all cases of variola
and varioloid occurring in the city, to-wit:
That a fine of at least $50 should be enforced
upon the physician who should fai. or neglect
to report promptly to the Mayor any in stance
of the disease falling under his observation.
1t is no part of the duty of the Board of
Health to search the city Tor smallpox cases. |
However, rs soon rs the Board received no. |
tice or even intimatiOn of the occurrence of
cases, these have been promptly |
visited and transferred, when the suspicion |
was sustained, to the hospital
The Board, with an mistaken confidence in !
the protective influence of vaccination, would |
suggest the employment of two Or three physi- |
clans to ascertain, by personal inspection and |
proper inquiry, the names and residences of
persons VINO may have failed or refused to be |
yaccinated; and in all such instances it is ad- !
vsed that vaccination be made compulsory, |
Before concluding this report, the Board |
would express the conviction that there is ex |
stent in the community and country around a |
very erroneous impression as TO the extent of |
the disease at present in the city, and also an |
unwarranted alarm as to the probabilities of |
its farther extension. There are at present |
only four cases of the disease under treatment |
in the hospital, and none at all outside of it |
The city is at present in tolerable state of |
cleanliness. The qualification pertains espe-
cially to the tenement houses and premises |
along the line Of Green street, and the old Val
ley Hotel property fronting on Augusta and |
New streets.
The disease has not at all assumed alarming |
proportions. while the type of the disorder is |
comparatively mild, as evidenced by the low
percentage OF mortality. 1t is believed from the |
precautions already taken in regard to vacci- |
nation, quarantine and general police that
reasonable expectations may be entertained of
the early eradication OF the disease.
In conclusion it is respectfully suggested
that this report should be published, that false
rumors may be antidoted and the needless
alarm OF the public allayed.
Respectfully,
"a NJ "a rrNnY r,,o1, IA N /