Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-03-08
DIED OF DlPHTHERiA.
The village Startled by u Sudden Appear
ance of the Disease.

ance of the Disease.
Monday morning the public was startled
by the announcement that William Il. Cotton
had died during the night from diphtheria.
There were many conflicting rumors flying
about the streets, none of which could be
authortively denied or affirmed. Mr.. Cotton
had been sick only week and but few knew
of it. Even those of his friends who were
aware of his sickness supposed it merely
case of the grip or tonsilitis. That there had
been case in the business section of the vii
lage and the house not guaranteed was In
conceivable. The first rumor was that the
physician In charge mstook the nature of the
disease but that was later denied. Although
there were many expressions of Indignation,
nothing more than talk was done until Mon
day afternoon when quarantine card was
posted on the building.
DIR. j. Sutcliffe Hill had charge of the case,
and made the following statement to TIMES
representative. 1t gives the Doctors side OF
the case as fully as can be done. He said:
"Mr. Cotton has been subject to what Is
known as follicular tOnsiltis and have sue
cessfdlly carried him through these attacks
before. When saw him last week told
him he had follicular tonsilitis." (Here the
doctor brought in a medical work with col
ored plates showing the resemblance of ton
slitis to diphtheria.in the first stages.)" FRI
day morning discovered the disease to be
diphtheria and Immediately had the patient
moved to room in another part of the house,
apart from where other members of the fam
ily or the boarders lived. There was no car
pet on the floor aud sheet was hung in front
of the door. This sheet was kept soaked in
an antiseptic solution TO prevent the disease
from getting into other parts of the building.
1t was practically the same as quarantine,
though no card was placed on the building.
| instructed Mrs. Cotton to keep everyone
away from the room and to let in no visitors
to see him. Mrs. Cotton had entire charge of
her husband. With these precautions it
would not be probable that the disease would
be transmitted to others. My reasons for
not reporting the case to the board of health
were merely as an act of kindness to my pa
tient. He has only recently established his
restaurant business and the statement that
there was diphtheria in the house would
drive away all the boarders. That l
erred in so doing there no doubt; but had the
patient got well, as there was every reason
to hope he would, the public would have had
no scare and no injury would have been
done anybody.
When a. ked if it were not possible and
probable that Mrs. Cotton would commun-
cate the disease to the boarders and help by
carrying the contagion in her clothes, the
doctor replied that though possible, it was
not probable.
When questioned why, as member of the
board of health, he did not quarantine the
house early Monday morning after the patient
was dead and the fact of the disease could no
longer be kept secret, he replied 81 should
have quarantined it Friday and then all this
trouble would have been avoided. Monday
morning everyone knew of it, and no quar-
antine card was necessary to keep people
away"
In regard to the statement that friends had
visited Mr.. Cotton as late as Saturday, he
said he knew nothing. He had given instruc-
tions to let no one see him, but did not know
whether they were obeyed.
There it is in detail. The public's view
of the case is yet to be heard. We have a
board of health in this village, I. E. O'Brien,
Dr. J. Sutcliffe Hill and w. j. Eaton.
Physicians are supposed to report all cases of
contagious or infectious diseases to this board
within a hours of its discovery and If they
neglect to do SO are liable to fine of from SO
to s25. When such cases are reported to the
board the place shall at once be quarantined.
The other members of the board are entirely
blameiess in this case as no report was made
of it. The blame, as DR.. Hill candidlv adj
mits, lies all with himself. But this is little
consolation for the half-hundred or more
who have been exposed to the disease, for
exposed they were beyond donht,, Al
though no new cases have been reported yet,
it is too early to fully determine whether
the disease will spread. hen the matter
of the public health is brought to the front,
no amount OF money should STAND IN the way
Human life is too precious to be trifed with
and health too valuable to be exposed to the
dangers of contagion. But few weeks ago,
at the request of DR.. Hill. we published the
laws relating to physicians failing to report
such cases. 1t is said that ignorance of the
law is no excuse; but here is man, appoint
ed to an office for the express purpose of see
ing that certain laws are enforced and well
cognizant of the viruence of the disease
with which he had to deal and the laws
regulating such contagious diseases. who
purposely violates these same statues. Others
have done it, perhaps, without detection. He
is unfortunate and catches the full force of
;he public wrath. And who will say that he
does not deserve it. Without being too
,eyere, we must say that we have no sympa-
thy for him or for others who would do as
he has done. We give him credit for doing
what he considered kindly act, but condemn
him for his lack of Judgment.
On Tuesday, DR.. Hill rendered his resigna-
ton to the board of health. The building
where the death occurred is being thorough
ly fumigated and strict quarantine is main
tanned against the occupants of the building
until all danger is past.