Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-27
1HE DEADLY DISEASE
New Raging Rear the Brooke
County Lac.
A Skilled Specialist Makes an Exami-
nation Into the Cause and
Character of the
Malady.

DR.. Herman M. Briggs, one of the staff
of physicians identified with the Carnegie
Pathological Laboratory of Bellevue Hos
pital Medical College in New York city-a
man thoroughly conyersant with the germ
theory of disease and who has spent several
years in Europe getting knowledge about
this branch of medical science-has paid
visit to the little hamlet of Paris Roads on
the Pan. Handle road, near the Brooke
county hne, where the strange and fatal dis
ease has been raging fer some weeks past,
and made a thorough examination OF the
cause and character of the malady. The
Pittsburg Dispatch gives the following &C
count of ihe Doctors trip: 1t is
sTNKINGLY PICTURESQUE spoT,
and when DR.. Biggs stepped from the train
at Paris there were no outward evidences
that disease and death were stalking through
the valley, in the centre of which clear
stream Of water brawls noisily over the peb-
bles. THAT stream does not seem to be
bu1dened with contsgion," was the com.
ment of DR.. Briggs.
Within radius Of half mile of Paris
station there is community of so sou's.
In three weeks thirty have been stricken
down, in some instances nearly all the mem
bers of the family dying. The first house
visited was that of Mr.. Nicholas Truax, who
lives in loghouse short distance from the
station. Two sons-John, aged Is, and
Horace, aged 5-had died short time~ago,
and two daughters were lying dangerously
i'll with
THE STRANGE DISEASE.
A careful examination was made BY DIR.
Briggs, and he pronounced it to be malig-
nant diphtheria. Thence from house 10
house proceeded the physician, giving ad-
vice as to disinfection, etc., and writing
prescriptions which were eagerly accepted.
The entire day was consumed and many
miles covered on the errand OF investiga-
ton and mercy. The settled belief among
the people had been that they were suffering
from black fever, from the virulence and
fatality Of the disease. From the
reports received by VI" said Dr..
Briggs, 81 had formed the i'm
preston that this place is afflicted with a
visitation of a malignant type Of erysipelas,
known as black tongue, but that is not the
case. AS it is, the people of this communi-
ty should take immediate measures in the
way of disinfection." The history of the
course of disease, as gathered by the re.
porter, indicates clearly that it has spread
from the lack CT
PROPER PRECAUTIONS
being taken to prevent contagion. The
first case reported was in the family of Mr..
Hindman. His son John, who attends
school at Oakdale, contracted the disease
there in a mild form. Then Nina Hind
man, his sister, caught the disease. Next
Maggie Murtland, aged 20, a niece
OF Mr.. Hindman, was stricken down
and died in few days. With
each case the disease seemed to
become more virulent. Mr.. Elliott and
wife and two children attended Miss Murt.
lands funeral, and the two children were
the next to be stricken down. David Hun
ter had paid visit to the Hindman family,
and he was next on the list, and was follow
ed BY his wife. In the meantime, Sarah
Trusx, daughter of Nicholas Truax, was
stopping at the Hindman house. She at
tended Nina Hindmsn, and
SLEPT IN THE SAME BED
with her. In day or two she was taken
violently i'll. Her brothers, Horace and
John, became infected and died in great
agony. Her sisters, Emma and Hattie,
contracted it, and her aunt, Mrs. ". K.
TIusx, called at the house with her babe
to give assistance. Two days later the baby
became i'll, and in quick succession Harry,
Earl, Clara and Fred Truax were laid low,
and despite of all efforts the entire FIVE
children in this family died. Mrs. Truax,
worn out by constant watching, and the loss
of her little ones, became raving maniac
and will be removed to the Dixmont Hospi
tai to-day. Lydia Gardner, who was en-
ployed at this house, was stricken down,
and her death is momentsrily expected.
William Truax, the bereaved father, is also
afflicted, and William Gardner, who has
been stopping at Trusx's house, yesterday
complained to DR.. Biggs that he was suffer
ing from
THE FIRST SYMPTOMS
of the disease.
Rachel Criswell, who resides on the hill
side across from the station paid a visit to
the Hindman residence and she was infected.
Mrs Murtland and another daughter also
contracted the disease after Maggie Murt.
lands death. Mrs Bracken and Ella Hun.
ter, who attended Miss Murtlsnds funeral,
we're also taken down soon afterward. Al.
together there have been about thirty cases
reported, and quite number ofpersons are
suffering from the first stages Of the disease
Persons living along the Panhandle railroad
both east and west Of Paris, are very much
alarmed at the rapid spread of the disease,
and propose to take immediate steps to
check the further progress of the contagion.
The injunctions Of DR.. Briggs as to disinfec-
tiop, ETC., will be put into force at once.
A severe
EPIDEMIC OF DIPHTHERIA
has also been affecting the inhabitants of
Haamon's Creek Valley between Hamlin
and Collier stations, distance Of about
four miles, and extending back south amidst
the hills and valleys mile or more. For
two months it has been raging without ces.
sation. In that time twenty-five families
have suffered, but in four only deaths have
occurred. Two deaths occurred suddenly
while the patient was convslescipg.
To Chicago Bv Daylight.
A fast train leaving Bridgeport at 5:57
a. m, arrives at Chicago at $50 p. m,
same day, connecting in Union depot for
all points west.