Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-25
THE PATIENT DEAD.
But an omcinl Row Follows the
SMALLPOX Case.

The first District smallpox patient is dead.
but there is trouble in official circles grow
ing out of the treatment Of the case. The
trouble grew out OF a publication in The
Star to the effect that owing TO the red
tape of the District government the sup
plies for the smallpox patient were unneces-
sarily delayed.
Commissioner Truesdell, who has charge
of the health Office, saw the publication
and sent a messenger TO the smallpox hos
pital TO get a report from Dr. hewitt con-
c.rning the matter. The report set forth
that Friday night before Or. hewitt left
Health Officer Hammett he impressed upon
the latter the immediate necessity OF send
ing out provisions and drugs for the use Of
the hospital.
Or. Hammett's reply was that he would
see TO IL that everything necessary should
be furnished forthwith. Early saturday
morning DIR. hewitt handed the reauisition
for the supplies TO Intendent Stoutenburgh.
ard the latter delivered them to the health
officer that morning. The urgency OF the
case demanded immediate attention, and
yet. says the report. II was Monday after
neon at O'Clock before the supplies were
received.
The report OF Dr. hewitt was Immediate
ly referred to the health officer for reply.
These replies were duly received. and then
G. mmenced a three-ccrnered fight between
the health officer, his chief clerk and The
property clerk of the District relative to
the delay.
ly approved the reqUisition and sent IL
forward But the doctor, IL seems. did
nothing after approving the requisition, nor
ed any one else for that matter. In the
meantime the patients condition became
alarming, and had IL not been for the kind
ness Of the ntendenT Of the Washington
Asylum. who sent DR. hewitt such drugs as
his hospital could spare. the death OF
N,.lS mir
AT length the patients condition became
so serious that he could no longer take solid
food. On Tuesday morning, according TO
DIR. \eVitt's report, he telephoned the health
Office for some beef extract Immediately.
But no attention. he says, seems 10 have
been paid TO the matter until wednesday
afternoon, when three bottles of the extract
were delivered.
Yesterday afternoon the Commissi oners
examined Health officer Hammett and his
chief clerk.
This morning the Commissioners sent for
DIR. hewitt 10 hear his version OF the AFFAIR.
Dr. hewitt stated that on Friday night.
when he left Dr. Hammett. he told him that
the hospital was without supplies, and he
hoped the lesson Of delay taught year before
last ia getting supplies would not be re-
peated DR. Hammett assured him he would
! get everything he needed Immediately. lie
| had made out his reQuiSition Friday night
] and sent it in by lntendent stoutenOursn
the first thing saturday morning. IL was
| nearly 1 O'Clock the following Monday az
/ ternoon before the goods were received. he
| had telephoned several times FOR Them aiter
/ sending in his requisition. Regarding ne
delay i'm furnishing the beef extract he
said the health office was notified fucsday
morning to send three bottles OF the extract
! Immediately. and the condition OF the pa
! ,iant was pointed out with view Of hur-
rying the supplies. "Wednesday morning ~
! % O'clock he tele;honed again. and chick
J Clerk Tracey answered the call DR.. hewitt
| la he begged Mr. Tracey to send out the
extract and added he would pay Cor IL. Yet
I IL was Wednesday afternoon before il was
1 received.
| The Commissioners made careful inquiry
into all the facts, and action Will be laken
shortly.