The Newtown bee., 1892-05-06
Sandy Hooks Scarlet Fever Scare.

Sandy Hooks Scarlet Fever Scare.
 ''He that is void of wisdom, despiseth his neighbor; but man of understand ing holdeth his peace.''
 Never before in the annals of Sandy Hook, not even when small pox was rag ing, has there been such commotion, or wide spreading of case, north, south, east and west, as there has been of the recent illness in this family. April 21, came home from Brooklyn with my lit tie daughter, Anna May. The next day, I called Dr Richardson in, as she was ail- ing with something. It proved to be an ordinary case of scarlet fever. With the doctors prompt action, together with careful nursing, she was soon on the road to recovery and has come out all right. Little did 1 think that the knowledge of the fact would be sufficient cause to be taken advantage of and panic ensue with some. 1 thought l was in a Christ ian community and people would use a little reason and act with discretion, or l might have kept it silent, as 1 did some six years ago, when number of cases prevailed in and about the Hook. Three members of my family caught it. No one outside was the wiser for it, although two were very sick with it, had raging levers; one especially SO, had terrible sore throat all through. Instead of wiring ing my hands, and losing my head, I did all in my power for them and at last was victorious in bringing them through safe and sound. But I said then I'd nev- CT do it in secret again, for fear some thing might happen. No one took it from them, as they were the last cases. Was there ever such time before? Will there ever be in the future, where peo- pie will be so interested, yet so frighten- ed, at the approach of any member of the family that they are utterly power less of speech; even to inquire how the sick were would be disastrous, although every precaution had been taken, and they were as free from giving it as any in the Hook. It was reported dangerous to go near any of them, or any one con- nected with them, even to trading in the store would not be safe. I have isolated myself all this time from my family and devoted my time to the sick one, who, joyed herself with her playthings, and been as bright and happy as bird on the wing. Strange, remarkably strange, that this case, which has been an ordi- nary one, should frighten people so much more now, than fatal one did less than a year ago. Fortunately for the poor, afflicted ones, more compassion was showed, and no thoughtless stories start ed by the score, without any foundation, to make their already overfiowing cup more bitter and harder to bear. To me, who, have had quite little experience with scarlet fever, it's not so terribly shocking thing that it should excite an insurrection. Prompt action, with care full nursing, a competent physician, little common sense thrown in, I'd brave it every time, if could have the patient at the very beginning, save my excited en- ergies to help the afflicted one in spirit and body to recovery and it would not prove. as it often does, so dreadful. An na May has had it, and, for my part, I am glad of it, but 1 am sorry it has frightened so many. Hereafter, when she is older, she won't have cause to tremble at it's approach, but be brave, I hope, study it, and do all in her power to help any poor individual who may have it. Sickness is no respecter of persons. It comes, as we'll as death, to us all, sometimes unsought. To the many good friends who have sent us words of sym pathy and kind messages in this very trying time, shall ever remember and thank them from the bottom of my heart. A kind word costs so little, e,yet it is worth everything, to any poor mortal who is striving to do the best they know how. Sixteen days have passed. No other case has been heard of, hope there will be no more. My prayer is that peace may reign, confidence be restored and no harm come to any one.-[Mrs R. N. Betts, Jr.