Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-25
THE SMALLPOX
Is Nowhere to be Found in Memphis, and
DR.. Thornton Says He Does Not
Mean 1t Shall be.
He Is Taking Every Preeaution Against
Its Entry or Spread-The Places
Where 1t Is Now Prevailing.

As the telegraph for the past two or three
weeks has been from time TO time noting the
outbreak at various points throughout the
country of smallpox, the last place being at
Little Rock, and as it is q subject OF vital
importance, not only 10 the citizens OF Mem
phis, but 10 all this part Of the country, an
APPEAL reporter was dispatched TO DR..
Thornton, president OF the Board of Health,
TO find out Just where Memphis stood,
whether there was any smallpox in Mem
phis, and as to what precautions were being
taken 10 prevent its introduction or spread.
DR.. Thornton was found at his Office on
Madison street, and, as he is man of bust.
ness, the reporter proceeded at once to busi-
ness and opened the conversation with the
direct question, SIS there any smallpox IN
Memphisp TO which DR.. Thornton replied
aNo, sir; there is not q single case within
| the city limits, nor has there been for the
past ten days The last case was q negro
who was removed from house in the lower
part OF the Tenth ward to the County Hos.
pital. The building was thoroughly fumi.
gated, and there has not been a case since
There are, however, several cases in the
County Smallpox Hospital, which is foul
miles from the city, and completely isolated
| so that there need not be any uneasiness or
| that score"
"What precautions are you taking, doctor
| against the spread of the disease, should il
| BY accident get into the city?"
| every precaution. Although thorough
vaccination of the whole city was had las
winter and spring, and vaccine matter hai
since been kept at the Office OF the Board Of
Health, and notice given to all who felt sc
disposed to come there and be vaccinated
| and the secretary has been vaccinating a
| irregular intervals ever since, as an add
tional precaution, another public. vaccina
| ton was recently ordered, and two youns
| physicians, Drs. Duke and Finnie, were as
signed to the duty Of making thorough
house inspection and vaccination among tina
| class Of our population who would come
within the scope of such seryics. This weri
will be continued as long as the necessity fol
it Is thought to exist, and vaccination viii
be placed within the reach OF every man
woman aud child who will avail themselves
of it."
aDo you have any trouble in enforcing
vaccination, doctor"
ayes, some little. A good many of tn,
colored people do not seem to care muct
about it, in fact are rather averse to it, &c
we have to resort to a little mild bulldozine
occasionally. We tell them that they mus
have it done, or, if they get sick, they viii
be sent to the hospital, which gensRlly over
comes their scruples, and they submit with
out further trouble. Memphis is now en-
tirely free from the disease, as have sale
| before, and every precaution will be taker
| against its introduction or spread, as hai
been done very successfully for the pas
| twelve months. OF course a case may de
velop and it may be day or two before We
hear OF it, but rs soon as it is reported to the
| Board of Health either myself or the secre
tary 60 at once to the place, determine
| whether it il smallpox or not, and If 1t should
prove TO be such, it is at once removed &c
| tho smallpox hospital, unless the parties car
give security that they are able TO be com
pletely isolated, in which case they are al
lowed to remain. The house is at once
thoroughly fumigated BY sulphur, boiling
water or by burning, which Is at once the
leave nothing undone.n
sNothipg will be kept back. then, sh0hld
smallpox make its appearance?"
"Nos Every case is reported to the Board
of Health daily, and our citizens are alse
very prompt, and render all the aid possible
| to the Board
sCould you give me list Of the place.
where smallpox is known TO exist at pres
| ent?n
"There is some in Nashville aud Chat q
| nooga, but not near as much as is generally
reported. The health authorities OF thes,
cities are doing everything in their power t.
| protect the travelling public and to proven
the spread Of the disease. There is M
reason TO apprehend any danger from ths
quarter. There are no other places that
know OF in Tennessee. 1t il reported to b
very bad in Baltimore and in Salem, Va.
and also prevails 10 some extent along tn
| line of the East Tennessee, Virginia ant
Gaory;a r.ilroad hut IN that exfeut can
not say. There was an outbreak at Hop
kinsville, KY, and some little excitemen
was created by the appearance OF three o.
| four cases at Little Rock last week. Thes
are about all the places that know Of wher
the disease exists, except, perhaps, in few
isolated localities in the Northwest"
"You may repeat, "said the doctor, as th
reporter bowed himself out, shat we ar
watchful and vigilant, and that the citi
zens of Memphis need feel no uneasiness."
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