The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-29
THE SPOTTED SCOURGE.
History of SMALLPOX and Opinions on the
Disease as Viewed from Medi-
cal Standpoint.
Description of the Pest HOuse-HOw
Patients are MISREPRESENTATION
The Last Epidemic.

A LIGHT commissioner was detailed on Satur-
day to investigate the cause, condition and
aspect of the smallpox scare, and to obtain all
the information he could upon the subject.
He therefore visited DR.. X. Menger, the cOur-
teous and able city physician. The following
conversation then ensued:
Commssioner-Dr. Mcnger, | am commits
stoned to prepare an account of the smallpox
for publication in the EVENING LIGHT, and
want you kindly to give me all the information
you can.
DR.. Menger-I should be glad to do so If it
would serve public interest, but don't know
whether it would do SO; moreover, | have no
desire to be brought too cOnspicuously before
the public.
that it will serve public interest. The
telegraph reports of the disease have SO
magnified the present aspect of the small
pOx outbreak, that other cities are talk
ing of quarantining against San Antonio,
and the rumors atOat in the city
are such as to lead to the opinion that the
outbreak of the disease is far more serious
than ii really is For public satisfaction, it is
certainly DESTROYS that an authentic statement
be made, and ] would recommend that it be
done.
DIR. Menger-In that case, | shall be glad to
furnish all the information | can, as my
opinions are Similar to yours. Other influences
are in favor of secrecy.
Commissioner-Well, then to business. Will
you please state what is known of
THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF SMALLPOX.
DR.. Menger-C Certainly. The professional
name of smallpox is "variOla," from 'varus, y
a pimple, and it is a serious, and very con-
tagious disease. 1t is supposed to have ORR
ginated in the East, but when and where il is
not precisely known. 1t was first known
among the SaracGns, and is supposed by them
to have been introduced into Europe, from
which source it cametO America. Its known
existence is so ancient that Rhazcs, an Arabian
writer, describes it infinitely the year 800.
In America il has at times extensively
ragged, and has been of so severe character
as to destroy the Indians in large numbers.
Indians, negroes and MeXicans are by their
nature and habits peculiarly susceptible to the
decease, and if it once gets any hold among
them it usually becomes epidemic. 1t has been
epidemic in various parts in certain intervals,
and has had awful results. Last century it is
estimated that 2,OCOOOO persons persisted in
Russia from the disease, and the deaths
from the same cause in England and France
were very numerous. Itattacks both rich and
poor with like impartiality, but the poor ill
fed, ill-clad and badly housed are usually the
greatest sufferers.
Commssioner-DO you recOllect any great
persons who have fallen victims to the dis
easeI
DR.. Menger-Yes; history records that
Mary, Queen of England, and AN Emperor of
Germany, a Dauphn and Dauphiness of
France, an Emperor of Russia, a Queen OF
Sweden, and French King have died from
smallpox. Other notable persons have also
died from the same cause.
CommissiOner-HOw many phases of the dis
ease are there, and what are they caledl'
DIR. Menger-There are