Middletown transcript., 1883-01-12
smaII-Pox on the Eastern Shore.

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During the past six weeks the smallpox
has appeared in several of the Eastern
Shore counties of Maryland, and, of fcourse
has occasioned much alarm among the
people of the neighborhoods in which the
pest was known to be. Prompt actien on
the part of the authorities of our Peninsu-
lar towns in which the disease has ap-
peared has, we believe, in every case, pre-
vented it from spreading beyond the
premises where it first broke out, but
these towns no doubt lost thousands and
thousands of dollars because of the fear of
the country people to come to them to
trade. One case of smallpox in a small
town will usually kill business as dead as
hammer. The disease was brought to
the Eastern Shore from Baltimore, where
it has prevailed for several months to an
alarming extent, as many as go new cases
having been reported there in one day,
recently. One Of the first towns on the
Peninsula that had to deal with the pest
was Easton. There it broke out in the
family of the colord janitor of the public
school building and the affected person
was nearly well before any one knew of
what he was sick. All this time the school
was going on, with hundred or more
children in daily attendance, and it seems
next to a miracle that none Of them con
tracted the disease. When a second per-
son in the janitor's family was attacked
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then the character Of the disease was
learned. Of course the schools were
promptly closed and the infected persons
moved beyond the town limits. By NOV
ing with promptness and energy the town
authorities prevented the contageon from
spreading. 1t cost the town nearly 5000
for maintaining an hospital but the money |
was well expended. Last week the pest |
appeared at Centreville, resident of that
town having contracted it in Baltimore,
where he had been about two weeks be-
fore. The commissioners of the town at
once adopted an ordinance directing the
physicians to vaccinate every person in
town, and fixing penalty for refusal to
be vaccinated. The infected person has
been isolated and it is hoped that Centre
Vile will soon be free of the disease.
There are said to be also several cases of
5he disease in other sections of Queen
Anne's County. In our neighboring
county of Cecil the smallpox appeared
early in the autumn. There were several
,ases near Perryville, and later there was
case in the lower part of Sassafras Neck,
lear the bay, which, we believe, has re-
,overed. Wayne Anthony, proprietor of
Mill, also in Sassafras Neck,
md two Of his sons have recently died of
he disease and several other members of ]
he family were down with it but have {
learly recovered. One of the sons that t
lied Of the pest contracted it in Baltimore. '
Ie was buried by his father and Doctor !
Iardcastle, of Cecilton, who had attended i
i'm. It is said that Mr.. Anthony, the S
lther, refused to be vaccinated and re- 4
used to let the doctor vaccinate the other
MEMBERS Of his family for several days
fter the disease had been developed in
is son. All the members of the family :
kept the mother and grown-up son :
-ere taken with it. Mrs. Anthony, who :
ad the disease some years ago, and fe- :
lale nurse procured in Philadelphia by the 7 7
tending physician, cared for the stricken
ersons. The people Of the neighborhood !,
ave been very kind to the family, having !
mt them many delicacies and raised by :
oluntary contribution the sum OF about =
hundred dollars for the benefit of the
lfferers, and to defray the expense of the
1rse. The county Commissioners have
lssed an order authorizing DIR. Hardcastle =
procure another nurse for the sufferers,
the county's expense. In view of these =
ses of smallpox on the Eastern Shore =
Id the constant travel between that sec
IN and Baltimore, town authorities -
ould be vigilent and ready to combat
e pest should it appear.