The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-03

The citizens Of Roanoke arc very
much concerned ct present as to
whether or not the city is to be subjected
to an epidemic of contagious diseases.
Tho scare seems to be needless one,
for if proper precs'ltions are observed
the danger of sue calamity is very
light.
There is no doubt but what scarlet
fever and diphtheria are both in the city,
but the number OF cases is small and
the diseases will no doubt be stamped
out before they have gained any foot
hold. Still the utmost care should be
observed, both by physicians and citi
zens. The board Of health has taken
decided stand in the matter, and If
their instructions are obeyed there will
be no need for alarm
TINES reporter yesterday made a
careful investigation of the public
schools in order to ascertain what pre-
cautions had been taken to prevent
spread OF the disease among the scholars.
AT the Commerce street school Pro-
fessor Bib is doing all in his power to
keep tho diseases out Every morning
hO LuahCp - Oh tho
scholars and If one is found who has the
slightest symptoms OF illness they are
scnC home and instructed to consult
ph Ysician.
Likewise, If there is any sickness in
the family tho scholar is kept from
school until tho patient RECEIVERS, if the
disease is contagious ono, or il not
until the nature of the disease is known.
In this school there are q number of
scholars who are nov suspended owing
TO the prevalence OF contagious diseases
in the family. There are also about
half a dozen scholars who arc suffering
with scarlatina, form of scarlet fever.
Professor Mauzy, principal of the
school, has taken no stops TO inquire
into the condition of his pupils. 10
TIMES reporter he stated that he con-
sidered they were too old to catch scar
let fever, their average age being over
sixteen years. In this he is wrong, as
scarlet fever attacks older persons and
generally with fatal effect. No one over
gets too old to guard against these dis
eases.
AT the Third ward school on Gilmer
street n. g., Professor Miller, he pr1n.
cipa1, was seen and stated that every
precaution was being taken against the
diseases. There is one case of diph iberia
fAObA AhAoo amy OhIhonA 3 EOOu, ana
another younger child Is stricken in tho
same family. which lives on Seventh
avenue n. o. One OF the pupils in the
next house was sent from school but ad-
mltted again on o doctors certificate
Another case in this school resulted in
tho death OF the patient This one
lived on Commonwealth avenue, and
another death occurred in the same
family.
At the Belmont school, on Tazewell
street, Professor Hoover was seen, and
he stated that there had been no cases
of diphtheria or scarlet fever under his
notice. Tho teachers have only the
word OF the pupils to guide them in
adopting methods to check any conta-
gious diseases, but they are doing all in
their power to fight against it.
The Melrose school, Of which Miss
Lillian Eckloff is principal, was visited
and the reporter found that every pre-
caution had been used to prevent these
diseases from getting in tho school.
Even disinfectants are used in tho
schoolrooms. Miss Eckloff stated that
their school had to some extent been
troubled with sickness and couple of
small children named Lynch had died
from diphtheria. The children, at tho
time, were attending school, but as
ooOu do IL "uS OlSCOVcrGu. W0dG WAS
ailing them they wero Immediately de-
barred from entering the school
Miss Ecklon also said that she and
her teachers always made an examina-
tlon OF the throats of tho children when
they complained of n soreness, and If
there was any signs whatever Of diph-
iberia the children were sent home.
Two children we're sent homo n fewdays
ago threatened with that disease, which
afterwards proved to be only severe
sore throat.
Tho Franklin ROAD school, of which
Prof. e. Z Shank is principal, was next
visited. This school is now being held
on Henry street in room formerly oc.
cupied by the Southern Guarantee Shoe
Company The building was procured
by the school board aud adjoins a house
where q family named Minnix lived
and in the month of September two
children died OF di ph liberia, which were
the first deaths from that disease in the
city for several months. Professor
Shank stated to the reporter that he
had closely questioned all the pupils
under his charge in regard to contagious
diseases in their families, and he had
discovered but one case, in which some
mem Der of the family had whooping
cough and the little girl was suspended
from school until all danger was past.
SUPERINTENDENT DERR TALKS.
Tho Teachers Instructed to Use Every