The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-19
NEW SMALLPOX CASES.
A Conflict Between Health Officers as to
Who Shall Do the Vaccinating.

Several new cases of smallpox developed yes
terday, and were reported to the authorities
Yesterday the discovery was made that the sup
ply of virus in the city had become exhausted,
and could not be renewed until to-day more
important development than this was made,
however, and that is, that there is really nobody
who makes it his business to see that the ordi-
nance enforcing vaccination is carried out. DR..
Henthorne has all and more than he can do in
attending to smallpox patients; the health Off
GERS claim that it is their business to disinfect
premises and give proper notice of theprevalence
of the disease, and the city dispensary physi-
clans refuse to visit infected regions or to vac
cinate persons from them. Yesterday DR.. Elder
issued an order to DR.. Carver, directing him to
vaccinate all the members of dozen or more
families where there is smallpox, and this he re-
fuses to do. He bases his action on the order
of the old dispensary board, which has
not been countermanded by the new
that the dispensary must be kept free from in
lection. The health officers threaten to file
against him. and thus test the ordinance Yes
terday, two women reported to the board that in
the building on Chesapeake street in which there
was case of smallpox, nine families lived most
ly poor people. Yesterday morning two men
named Davy, who lived there, went to the dis
the charge would be % cents, and as they did
not have the money the operation was not per-
formed. 1t should be somebody's business to
look after these matters.
A few days ago Adam St9blein, residing on
Minerva street, was discovered to be i'll with
smallpox, and was attended by DR.. Theodore A
Wagner, who duly reported the case. Steblein
died, and the health officers quarantined the
house. DR. Wagner was severely criticised for
exercising proper care in visiting the house, and
outrageously attacked by morning paper for
having deserted his patient" After Stoblens
death, and the quarantine had been enforced for
day or two, DIR. Wagner returned to the house
to see if the family was in need, and found them
entirely deserted and almost starving. With
commendable kindness of heart he determined
to to the wants of these people,
smallpox or no smallpox and he did so for
several days. Yesterday he was striker with
the terrible disease and voluntarily went TO the
pest-house preferring to do SO rather thanpto ex
pose his family friends to the contagion. The
Doctor not only did not desert Steblein in the
first place, but did all that he could, either by
way OF visitation or ministration, to insure his
recovery.
Rev. Peter Sharp one of the priests at St
Mary's Church, was discovered to have the small
pox, yesterday. and was removed to the pest
house. Father Sharp responded to Stobleins
appeal for priest during his last hours, and I'M
doubtedly contracted the disease from the dying
man.
Other cases were reported as follows: Mary
Judd, No. 81 Locke street; Mary Hanson, No. 20
Agnes street
The that went about yesterday that
schools Nos. and had closed was authorize
lively denied yesterday afternoon by Prof. Tar
bell Thus far there is not thought to be any
danger of contagion. A few children living in
infected neighborhoods have been sent home.
chiefly of those living on and near Agnes and
Minerva streets School No 10 (colored), closed
several days ago, will be reopened tomorrow.
Last night there was a conference between
DR.. Carver and Drs. Sutcliffe and Runnels, of
the Board of Health, and the former agreed to
attend to the vaccination of all people in quar-
antined districts until the return of DIR. Elder,
who is out of town, when some permanent ar
rangement will be made.