The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-10
QUEER NEWS ABOUT SMALLPOX.

Gross Exaggeration by DIR. Ruggles-
Only Four Cases at Vancouver.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 9.-Health Officer
James W. keeny received an important
communication today from DR.. C. A.
Ruggles, recently appointed medical in
spector of the state board of health. DR..
Ruggles has just returned from Victoria,
B. c., where he was sent to ascer-
tain the exact conditlon of the
smallpox epidemic in British Column
bia. He is now at Ashland, Or. He
says that many cases of smallpox exist in
nearly every large town in British Column
bia. He writes that he has reliable IN
formation Of the existence of tifty-eight
cases in the pesthouse at Victoria, two
cases having been discovered since August
1. The indifference which marked the at
titude of the people in that section of coun-
try when the disease first appeared has now
given place to the greatest activity and
energy. DR.. Ruggles intends now to go to
the California line and make thorough
examination of every passenger on every
train that passes into the state He will
remain there for two or three weeks long
er, when he expects to return home. His
letter furnishes the first definite informa-
ceived of the condition of affairs on the
northern border.
[Dr. Ruggles seems to be good deal of hum
bug. The part of his story that is true is not
new. The pesthouse reports at Victoria showed
at one time sixty-one patients. The reports
were given the widest publicity. There have
been no new cases this month, except two at
Vancouver and one at Snohomish. There is no
smallpox at Nanaimo or New westminster.]
VANCOUVER, B. c., Aug. 9.-[Special. J.
J. M. Spinks has secured an injunction to
restrain the city from paying $500 for the
charter of the steamer that took the city
officials to Victoria in connection with the
smallpox contempt of court case.
With the discharge, completely recov-
cred, of G. H. Stickles and r. Curtis, only
four patients are now left at Deadman's
island.
SNoHoxIsH, Aug. Especial. IA sem
sation, was developed today in connection
with the smallpox case at the Sisters
Hospital. Health Officer McCready, forced
to take some action by public sentiment,
which has been active in the matter since
knowledge of the facts was given to the
public in Sundays PosT-INTELLIGENCER,
this afternoon made an examination of the
premises and discovered an open grave in
the back yard, which the sisters acknowl-
edged was dug about three weeks ago in
anticipation of the death of the LAZY small
pox patient mentioned by your cor
respondent Sunday. They claim the young
lady recovered and has left the hospital.
Health Officer McCready's course in not
giving the public notice of the case and
establishing quarantine heretofore is re-
garded as almost criminally negligent. In
a statement in local paper this evening
he acknowledges that guard was not
placed over the premises till three days
after the case was reported to him. and
the guard was not police officer and had
no authority to enforce the quarantine
regulations, consequently sisters and
others had freedom of the premises. 1t
was not till tonight that yellow flag was
hung out and police officer detailed to
guard the premises. No new cases have
developed 80 far.