The Washington times., 1894-10-24
SPREAD OF The CONTAGION
Third Case of Smallpox in Washing
ton, Another in Nearby Town.
DEATH OF THE FIRST VICTIM
Important Action Taken by the District
Commissioners and Health Authorities
Excitement Still Runs High in Northeast
Washington-0ther Facts.

Mary Mundel the first victim of the dread
disease of smallpox. died at the pest house
on the eastern commons at 6:45 o'clock last
evening, after suffering terribly and being de-
lirious Tor several hours.
The information was obtained by TIMES
reporter, who interviewed DR.. j. Ramsey
hewitt, the physician in charge of the con-
tagious hospital. The interview was, of
course, by telephone
''Yes, she's dead. " said the doctor. land
we are just burying her in potter's field.
We are certainly anxious to get her under
ground as soon as possible"
Dr. Neyitt was then asked about Mary
Thomas. the third victim, including the Cas-
ton child, who was found at No. 243 Four
teenth street northeast, quite distance from
the place where the cantagion first appeared.
''She reached the hospital at o'clock this
evening said the physician, land has we'll
developed case of smallpox.
Mary Thomas is a ifteen-year-old colored
girl. Alice Sommerville, Mary's aunt, Is the
Washerwoman for the Coston family, and dur
ing the illness of the Coston child Mary
Thomas did the washing for the family. 1t IS
now conceded that the baby died of smallpox,
although the death certificate was issued for
continent yaricola.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD CASE.
The development of the third case Of small
pox was officially recognized yesterday. DR..
Woodward was notified, and as early as 4
could be brought about he had conference
with the District Commissioners, the result
OF which was that he was given carte blanche
to do whatever in his judgment seems proper,
with the assurance that the Commissioners
will support him A second conference was
,.,Ta
ments already made were discussed and ap-
proved.
i congratulate you. DOCTOR" said Presi-
dent Ross upon the prompt measures taken,
and also upon the completeness OF your
plans.
DR.. Woodward reported that Immediately
upon being advised of the third case, the in
formation coming from the attending physi-
cian, DR.. Wilder, the patient was removed to
the pest hospital. and all the steps necessary
to check the spread of the disease. so far as it
is possible 10 foresee, had been taken.
A site will be selected this morning in the
northeast section, where the employees OF the
health department charged with the care of
the infected clothing. together with the wag-
ous and other vehicles in use in transporting
patients and clothing. will be quarantned.
BY the time the Commissioners are ready TO
receive them this morning Health Officer
Woodward will have regulations formulated
for their approval. These will be issued at
once and rigidly enforced. Dr. o Malley and
DR.. Nevitt, the latter now isolated at the pest
hospital in charge of the two cases there, will
be put in control and. should il be necessary,
Dr. Fowler who is now absent on leave. Will
be recalled 10 assist. 1t was suggested yester-
day that Dr. Pyle, late of the Emergency
Hospital might be asked to render aid also
in case an emergency should arise.
The house in which the Thomas girl lived
was at once quarantined, and the clothing
bedding and such Of the furniture and other
articles as were thought to be infected were
destroyed by fire.
The Commissioners are inclined to be care
ful, as is natural, in expressing an opinion,
but they are on the alert, and while there is
no more than the ordinary cause for ap-
prehension that is occasioned by the public
knowledge Of the existence of the well de-
fined cases Of the contagion, the public may
rest assured that due care Is being taken to
prevent its further development.
Dr. Woodward was directed yesterday TO
employ additional laborers, if necessary: TO
procure nurses, TO provide for the sustenance
of the quarantined persons, and to adopt such
other measures as may, in his judgment, be
necessary.
As TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The statement having been made that some
OF the children in the house where Mary
Munde was taken with the disease had at
tended the public schools during the period
of her illness, the Commissioners have caused
the PRONUNCIATION of the following law, which
bears on the subject:
''All school trustees. school teachers, or
others having authority are forbidden to re-
ceive into or allow to attend any school, pub
lie or private. within the District of Columbia
any pupil not vaccinated as required by the
rules and regulations.
DR.. Woodward says he does Rot believe
there is danger OF a general epidemic, but
no pains or expense will be spared to pre-
vent such a calamity.
He impressed upon the Commissioners the
necessity for funds, and was assured that the
expense would be met. that the emergency
fund would be drawn upon TO defray all
proper charges Quarantine grounds at the
pesthouse will be extended as precaution.
The Thomas woman was put IN the same
ward in which Mary 8Iundel died, and reached
the hospital in time to see the corpse of the
latter borne out 10 potters field.
Mrs. Maggie Pemberton has been employed
as nurse at the pesthouse at a salary, it is
said, of s. per day. DR.. Neyitt's compensa-
tion is SO per diem. From this time on,
every physician will be required to report
suspected cases within twelve hours after
their discovery.
CITIZENS STILL GREATLY EXCITED.
The residents of Fourth street northeast
near the Mundel residence, are still greatly