Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-18
raE SMALL POx LIAR
Receives severe Handling at the Hands
of the Board of Il ealth's secretary
To the Editor Of the Register:


Receives Severe Handling at the Hands
of the Board of u ealth's Secretary
To the Editor Of the Register:
SIR: owing to the overweight
state OF public feeling in the districts
effected with smallpox, certain malicious
reports and ignorant statements have
found a ready circulation and assumed
a somewhat sensational form. The
tenor of these reports is to mis-State
the position Of the State Board OF
Health, TO under-rate its vigilance and
especially TO malign the Secretary.
Unfortunately many of these rumors
have reached ears, not sufficiently dis
eliminating to preceiye that they arise
from ignorance and are propagated
through spite. In order that these
reports may not effect the confidence Of
the people at large, in the State Board
of Health and as an opportunity to
assure the people that their every in
terest Is carefully and conscientiously
guarded, l have thought fit TO prepare
this communication.
The duty OF the Secretary OF the
State Board of Health is one OF general
supervisor over the local health officers,
through whom the local application Of
preventative and sanitary regulations
is carried out. That the dignity and effic-
iency OF these local authorities may be
properly appreciated the State Board
requests its Secretary constantly to ad-
wise with and aid them, but all appar-
ent conflict OF jurisdiction is carefully
avoided.
Ever since the first appearance Of
smallpox in the State l have been in
constant correspondence with the local
health officers of the afflicted districts;
with DR.. Creary, Of Hartford City,
Health Officer of Mason county; meas
ures have been decided pom and carried
out, which are thoroughly in accord
with the most advanced scientific meth
DDS for suppressing the epidemic and
preventing It's further destructive ad-
vance. Further than this the functions
Of the Secretary of the State Board do
not extend, and harm alone could result
from any attempt on his part, person
ally, to interfere with the local
arrangements. Having, unfortu-
nately, been frequently called
upon TO attend cases OF
smallpox, in twenty years of profess
Sional life, it never occurred to ME to be
necessary personally to visit the stricken
cases, in order simply to establish a
reputation for courage, and added TO
the very great difficulty OF getting to
Mason City, no train stopping within six
or eight miles of that point, there APP
peared TO be no necessity for such
visit, as the character OF the epidemic
had been definitely determined and
written reports in detail Of the cases
and their surroundings were in my
possession.
The visit made to the Western part OF
OF State was 10 consult with DR.. ProbSt
of Ohio, in order to render the Ohio
river border quarantine as effective as
possible, and to facilitate cooperative
measures. Dr. PrObSt'S subsequent
visit to Mason City was Of an entirely
unofficial character, as he was neither
invited nor accompanied by any legally
appointed health officer Of the State Of
West Virginia.
l further avail myself of this oppor
tunity to ask the people OF this State TO
diStruSt such malicious and sensational
reports in the future and to cooperate
heartily with the State Board of Health
i'm its sincere efforts for the good of the
people. Any countervailing influences
are destructive of the efficiency Of the
Boards efforts and such specious ru-
mors as have continually reflected on
the Board or its officers should not be
allowed to cripple the confidence Of the
people in its sincerity and its efficiency.
The following resolutions were adopt
ed at a special meeting OF the State
Board OF Health, called in PIT. Pleasant
on June 14tb, to consider the state Of
affairs in the districts visited by the ep-
idemic.
"Whereas, the State Board Of Health
has inquired into the action Of its Secreta-
nv in dealing with the smallpox outbreak
al Mason City and vicinity, and having
considered his regulations and plans for
future action, HEREBY approves the same
and directs that he continue these regula-
lions until the epidemic is at an end.
ALSO, that il finds no grounds, for the
structures upon the conduct Of the Secreta-
~, which have appeared from time TO time
in the public prints and from private
sources.
Also, that il directs its Secretary to
transmit TO the Governor a detailed state
ment OF his acts and regulations, and OF the
action of this Board
n. d. BAKER, M. D.,
Secretary State Board of Health.