The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-02
SMALLPOX.
BOARD OF HEALTH CIRCULAR.

Med for the benefit OF the colored people
iErom PARIS, Tenn, 10 Memphis, on Sun.
Siay, the LIST day OF July, we have thought
~ advisable 10 warn all persons 10 refrain
aom going on said excursion, in view OF
the prevalence OF smallpox in Memphis
aniyicinity, as the board might deem y nee
essary, for the protection OF the public, 10
enforce quarantine measures against those
who 90, when they reach the county line
returning home.
J. l.. BooTHR, Chairman,
S. @. EDNuSDs, Secretary,
j. l.. LEuoSps,
Board OF Health OF Henry county.
This June 20, 1889.
Had the report originated with and
spread from business rivals OF the city-st.
louis. for examplc-it would have cost
only smiles OF derision and contempt
Memphis Is used 10 that method in at
tempted undermining OF her proud rank
In tho commercial world.
But Henry county, from whence came
30 many good men and statesmen, whom
Memphis and Shelby county delight TO
honor, Il Is the unkindest cut OF all.
II is much as though Upton, Fayette or
Hardeman counties had given the blow.
q What are the facts1
., Tho circular was taken TO DIR. @. b.
18th lrnton by an ArrgAL reporter. After
reading the bold and positive warning, the
,,.lsard OF health exclaimed:
"Itisan unmitigaied SANDER, and demon.
s,ratcs the evil liable ut any time 20 grow
out Of the present county health board
system. DO you know who compose these
1 boards7"
The reporter confessed tho absence Of
J information on the point, 50 far Ms he was
' concerned. and the doctor continued: 4.
''Thoy are tho chairman Of the county
court, clerk Of the same body and jai
physician. / thought / knew all the
medical men Attached 10 these boards IN
Tennessee, but DIR. Lemonds Is a new one
10 me. Perhaps no has been recent,
elected. though, and that point can b
properly waived. Now for the smallpo,
scare they have stirred up. :,
There Il no smallpox epidemic II
Memphis, nor Is there n likelihood oil one
Since II broke out scatteringly severn
weeks ago there have been but cighteeI
cases. None OF these are In Memphis
and but one In iu vicinity, tina
one being lady near Bun,yn statiol
and shakemg. All the others VIII
have not died or gotten well ara a
the pcst-house. There IA smallpox Z
about the same extent at st. Louis, iron
which city ono or two OF our cases came
Nothing serious Is thought OF II there, mo
would any sensible person cry that diseas
aud death burdenod every breath OF a
mosphere taken in that city. II Is tn
same here.
"TLc Henry county board Of health
ridicllously alarmed. Every health Of
ganiaiiou In this State and the southwcs
Is pledged 10 promptly report every cas-
OF contagious or infectious disease, or su,
picion OF one, whether u be cholera, ye
low fever, small pox or any sort OF dreade
scourge. We haya done 10 faithfully, an
on the very day discovered, wbenev,
possible. The leading papers Of the stat
have published the fact, 10 which We ha'
interposed not the iaintcst objection. PEI
pie may visit Memphis with IMMUNITY nm
retum home unencumbercd with germs
any dangerous malady."
The doctor further stated that no wou
inclose tho circular In a letter 10 III
secretary OF the State board OF health, as
. ing that the Henry county officials be p
upon the right track.
Will Meaus Booihe, Edmunds M
Lononds read up, aud guard against goil
of hali.cocked In future2 II 10, Mcmpi
will forgive them for this no doubt VI
intended break.