The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-02

RAvLGEs OF THE DIsEAsE-THE HEALTH AU-
THoRrTIEs UNABLE TO CONTROL 1T.

bNAbiE ~ NOfthVh Ais
Correspondence OF the Washington star.l
BALTIMORE, July 3l.-The smallpox has
taken such tenacious hold In this city that
the Health Department have exhausted
their ingenuity in devising methods to
stamp it out. Were 1t not for the fear OF
raising undue alarm outside the city,
which would be prejudicial to Baltimore's
commercial interests, doubtless the authOri-
ties would call meeting OF the City Council
and adopt some more stringent precautiona-
~ measures. The health authorities state that
they do not think 1t possible to eradicate
the dread disease this summer, and expect
that the arrival OF the winter season will
cause a decided increase in the number OF
cases. Summer is decidedly the most un-
favorable season for the spread Of small
poX, rs then thorough ventilation OF the
infected localities, houses, ETC., can be
given, due TO the mildneSs of the weather,
which allows windows and all to be thrown
open. In winter the cold prccludes such
action. The infected air remains confined
and the disease attains it. most virulent
form. II il is found impossible to kill the
infection during the summer months, it is
considered a sure sign OF a'decided spread
OF the epidemic during the following cold
weather. The health commissioner con-
sders that a compulsory and thorough vac
cination is the only means OF coping with
the difficulty. The opposition here to COM
pulsOry vaccination i 80 great that 1t would
be most difficult thing to pass such an
ordinance, let alone attempting TO enforce
il. The disease ut present i confined main
" 10 the eastern section Of the city, where
il suddenly migrated Il few months since
from the southern section.
1t has been found a most difficult matter
to persuade the more ignorant classes to re-
port the first symptoms OF Il case at once.
They will, however, do all in their power
10 prevent the officers Of the health depart
ment from finding out the location Of small
pOx cases. In many instances the Informs
toE OF q case is reported to the health de-
partment only after a long period has
elapsed and the patient at the point OF
death. When the officers arrive TO inspect
the reported cases they often find them in
narrow rooms, where whole family are re-
siding, who are going about at their daily
yocations, carrying the germs OF the fever
in their clothes. Yet there j. no law to
punish aud prevent such dangerous care
lessness. These incidents occur mainly
among the negro population.
The difficulty in ascertaining the locality
OF cases is growing daily greater, espe-
cially when the case happens TO be in a
neighborhood having aristocratic preten-
sions. This difficulty but gives credence
to the supposition that there are as many,
il not more, cases cXtant in the city, but
unknown to the authorities, as there are
registered. Again, others refuse to have
the patient removed or to allow the yellow
flag to be suspended from their houses.
There being no law to enforce such regula-
tons. it is no unusual sight to see the flag
OF warning adorning nelghboring lamp
post or suspended from a line stretched
across the street. The health department
ofttimes manifest considerable ingenuity IN
dealing with such stubborn citizens. j.