The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-26
JUST THE FACTS.
IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE LOCAL
BOARD OF HEALTH.
President Thornton Lives Up to His
Promise, and Reports the First Case
Of Suspicious Sickness - Berry H.
Binford, q Drummer, the Patient.

APPEAL reporter had been enlightened 10 the
extent Of q strong suspicion by DIR. William
son, who remarked; you're going to hear
something drop pretty SOON" Alleges were
centered upon DR.. Thornton, and a painful
silence fell upon the somewhat large and
representative audience The digniied pres
ident proceeded with his report as follows:
SUSPICIOUS CASE.
This evening about o'clock | was in
formed that DR.. Williford and his partner,
DR.. Henning, had been called TO attend
patient on the Poplar street boulevard,
about a quarter Of u mile beyond tho city
limits. ] at once went out After examin-
ing the patient, and listening 10 the history
OF the case, am inclined 10 report IL as
suspicious case OF yellow fever. The man
is Berry ii. BinfOrd, who travels for a Gin
cinnau coffee aud spice house. According
TO the statement OF his wife, she received u
letter from him dated Decatur, Ala, Sep
tcmbor ,. The man himself said he was
there on the l4th, but his statement could
not be relied upon, us il was conflicting.
Binfod was in no condition TO speak con-
noctedly, being almost dcrilious from fever.
lie had a health certificate from his father
DIR. Biniord of CORTLAND, Ala, dated Court
land, Ala, September l1th. About that time
he was also ut Huntsville, am informed
According 10 all the lights before me, the
man returned TO Memphis on the 10Th. Be
| tween and o'clock this afternoon he was
taken with chill. soon afterwaad the fever
rose to l0l, ! believe il was, then followed
spells OF retching SO You see he had only
been sick few hours when | was called,
| and in the early stages OF yellow fever the
most skillful expert Is liable to make mis-
take. Understand mo thoroughly, now. l
| TcDOrt this MS a suspicious case.
DIR. n. W. MITCHELL
was called in. He was doubtful at first.
We made further examination, took into
consideration every phase Of the case, and
DIR. Mitchell advised its treatment as sus-
| picious Mr.. Binford Is In house 10 him
self, barring his wife, child and father-in-
| law An old yellow fever nurse named
Peter Craven, who nursed here In 1873, has
been placed in charge, with strict orders TO
see that no one enters the room except those
who are required 90 do So have been told
that Binford is a drinking man, and II 50 IL
may be only a spree
Dir. Williford rose 10 further assure tho
board that the case was only suspicious. The
| man had been sick but few hours, and he
could aud would not say positively that IL
was yellow fever lie had chill, fever and
then dclirium.
Mr.. lIaldcn-Fix him up as comfortably
as possible, place him In an easy vehicle,
aud send him aud his wife 10 the pest
house. iii is only a spree the removal
will not hurt him. II IL Is the fever then
the quicker he Is removed the better.
At this point DIR. Williford handed 10 DR..
| Thornton "a telegram from DIR. Plunkctt,
president Of the State board OF health. IL
stated that the subject matter OF a letter
written him ON Monday by DIR. Williford
was under consideration aud would be an
I H. asa.H "A
how FAR the ward lifted up for the reception
and treatment Of yellow fever patients was
removed from thai for smallpox. Dr. Will
ford, who Is county physician, went into AN
explanation of why aud what lac had written
DR. plunkett
DIR. williamson raised the question OF
burning the premises. whercupOu DIR.
Thornton said, with emphasis:
81 WILL NEVER burn
another HOUSE. or fabric connected with vel
low fcyer. II I wanted 20 spcad the infec
/ ton. I'd go Ia burning"
Mr.. w. A. Collier appeared rs the spokcs
man for large and influential committee
on hand 60 insist on Dinforl's removal from
! the ncghborhood at once. Said Mr. Collier
THE people Of Memphis have relied upon
the promises Of this boanl ~ announce
the first suspicious case OF yellow
fever here and 10 take steps at one,
for ih complete isolation. We, thu
committee from the ncighborhood In which
Il is located, now before you, rely upoI
that promise. | am not an allrmisi, an,
. was not In favor Of having the case publicl,
, announced, but we do insist upon his bcinl
| carried away from there tonight II lie i
only drunk, the midnight ride will do hin
! good. II lac II afflicted the fever. 1
, will he moro dangerous 10 remove him a.
morrow. when the fever Is high upon him
than Il IL tonight. We want him remove,
: nj once. lie knowingly violated the quar-
our city aud while hope lac will get well
! say death Is too good for any man who viii
| % IN seanrh " the fever, contract u az,
K: bring u back 10 his wife aud child and la
: | public"
, Judge Hammond entered a plea In bchnl
\ Of the patient For humanity's sake AL
n this bOarl In considering his removal, 4
o consider the patients interest Poor Proc
4 tor, Il II said. was removed IN the rain aud a
= night Probably thosc Who did Il did no
D consult his intcrrstz dislike 90 olicr sug
= gtstions but I ash this much for the sake o
: humanity. fCol Hamilton-Also considc
r his neighbour Oh. yes. | merely ask tina
e Ia oonsidcriug his rrmoyal lose sight of pen
r atty Tor hLs crime. Let tho board do what
j. ever IN the light ofmcdical science j. dccmc
= best but subordinate Il to the patients wei
o farc."
Mr. Haddon-i think he should be r,
, moved tonight My opinion Is that he
suffering from nothing moro scyerc than
b, csse VI bilious drunkenness. Ia that even
4 u won't hurt him ~ be moved II II i IN
9 fever, the earlier tho man II removed th
\ les danger there IA "a him and the NOR
Il benefit 10 the community
p Chicf Davis inquired OF Dr. Williford u
4 in HI, opinion IL would jcoparli1c the no
| of Mr. ninfnui la rrmgVe him touirht
3 DR. Willifom-f don't know about II
icopariring the mans life. Capt llackct
y tells me that Binford has been treated a.
u dclirium ircmuns ! agree with judge Ham
J. mond, There has been no diagnosis, aud
n suggest that he be allowed g. remain whcr
. hc N until o'clock tomorrow morning. w
A can al visit him then and determine III
, MIXTURE OF his illness should the suspicion
% be- confirmed. the president Of the board o
% health can have him removed without fur
, Their delay. Day time will be better In whic
we are doing.
= Capt James Ice, IT,, addressing Dr
{ Thornlon-l understand you aw going on
. 10 500 Mr. Binfori agnin tonight II IN
= doubts should he lcs-cncd. u u your dut
to rmovc him al once. | stand here NJ
}. representative Of this community 10 urg
= this upon you.
y Dr. Thornton lie don't appear to b
q drunk. | never saw him before tonight u
D all my lie. lie was rlchlng, but ] saw m
n sign " liquor whatever,
4 Col. T. A llAmilton-We don't want 60 b
bothered We want him removed NJ once I
}. the ease is Suspicious II l. a thiokly settle
J. neighhorhpod. No one in the world woul'
n do him harm. aud We would not ask u
y Give the ncirhbnrhoDd the benefit Of To
) doubt however one man had bcticr y