The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-12
AGAINST VACCINATION.
BOARD or ALDERMEN DISAGREES
WITH THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Appropriation for Compulsory Vaccination
Rejected - Dr.. Opps ,himsr's Views.
Situation In King william County.

| TWO
ordinances adopted by the Common
Council. in reference to the establishing
of a compulsory vaccination. The fol-
| lowing members answered the ron-call:
wicke. King Mann, Mitchell, Moore.
Starke, Vaughan, White and President
Turpin.
city Clerk Il. r. August read the reso-
| luton, providing for the appropriation
| OF $500 or so much thereof as may be
necessary, for the establishment Of a
/ general vaccination.
The Clerk also read the ordinance
| whch had been presented by Mr.. Davis
| in the Common Council. ana adopted
/ by that body, providing for compulsory
| vaccination.
Messrs. Boykin. Blake and White OPP
| posed compulsory vaccination, stating
| that no physician had a right to force
| himself into the households OF the resi-
| pox was somewhat uncalled for and
there was no danger, they thought, or
smallpox ever reaching here to any eX-
tent. There were six physicians en-
ployed by the city. and they could read
lily perform the work OF vaccination
Wherever necessary.
The resolution, appropriating the sum
of $500 was then lost. by vote Oh
to 8. which was as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Gray, Hardwicke, King
and Starke-4.
Noes-Messrs. Blake, Boyk!n, Mann,
Mitchell, Moore. Vaughan, White and
Mr.. Starke arose to a question Of per-
sonal privilege and explained that he had
voted for the resolution for the reason
that II any one should die In this c!ty
from smallpox he did not want 20 have
it said that his vote had been in the
way of securing the necessary vaccine.
The board also refused TO concur in
the ordinance providing for compulsory
vaccination, not single member voting
for the measure.
DIR. oPPEHHiMEg's WINS.
DR.. ". r. Oppenhimer. president of the
Board of Health, when seen in refer
ence TO the action Of the Board of Alder,
men, stated that he had merely carried
out "A duty which he thought his Office
imposed upon him. II the disease should
appear i'm this city and make any alarm
ing Roadway the Board Of Aldermen
would simply have to take the conse-
Quences.
In regard to the contract into which
he had entered with the National Vac
cine Company for the furnishing Of vi
rus. DR.. Oppenhimer explained that he
had not obligated the city in any way.
The contract called for the furnishing
OF 800 vaccine points, more or less
and he would. and could, continue to Sc
cure his supply of virus from that con-
Germ. But since the board had declined
10 concur in the appropriation, he would
simply order 'less.'
In speaking Of the ordinance providing
for compulsory vaccination, Or. Open
himer remarked that if the measure had
been concurred in by the Board of Alder
men and approved by the Mayor 1t
would have never been his intention to
carry out the ordinance vigorously TO
the letter.
TO ABOLISH The STATIONS.
in view of the action of the upper
branch of the City Council DR.. Oppen-
himer has decided to no longer maintain
the vaccination stations at DR.. Judson
Cunningham store, corner Of Main and
Twenty second streets. and at No. SOL
west Main street He intends to request
the Committee on Health 20 meet some
time to-day 10 pass a resolution closing
those two stations.
The physicians appointed by DIR. OPP
penhimer to Vaccinate the people of
Richmond met at the Iatter's Office yes
terday evening TO receive their instruc-
tons. and were told that they could start
out and Yacclnate all those who were
willing TO be inOculated before the Board
of Aldermen had concurred in the action
of the Common Council. They were
furnished with A supply of points Of
fre5h vaccine. books to record the names
Of parties vaccinated. and with cards 10
be given to each person who could show
that they had been successfully yacci-
mated within year past.
The physicians In making their rounds
yesterday morning did not experience
any trouble. They found in a good many
cases that the operation had already
been performed by the family physicians
of citizens. In the public schools il was
found that most Of the pupils had been
vaccnated.
THE SITUATION AT THE RESERVATION.
Reports from the Indian reservation,
III King William county. show an i'm
provement in the condition of affairs
there, and that the regulations are be-
ing strictly enforced. Dr. Oppenhimer
yesterday morning received a bulletin
from Mr.. Herbert l. Lewis brother OF
the physician who is in charge of the
smallpox district, and Commonwealth's
Attorney 10
dated January 9Th, and reads as fol-
lows:
There are no new cases of smallpox
on the reservation. None have broken
out since last Thursday. The only wom-
an that has been taken with it died
this morning. Some OF the patients were
little wild yesterday and last night,
but are doing better now. I have taken
every precaution 10 keep parties quaran-
tined, and now rave good force OF
guards and nurses"
DID NOT LIKE 10 BIZ oUARASTINED.
a Catholic priest applied at the Board
of Health Department yesterday and
asked whether he could be permitted TO
go TO the reservation TO care for the
souls and bodies of the stricken Indians
He was told that there would probably
be no difficulty In getting there, but that
his return to Richmond would be impos-
sible until he had been isolated for about
twenty days. after leaving the reserva-
ton. He gave up the idea with reluc-
lance, saying that MS duties would not
permit HIM To lo'e that much time.
DON'T STOP THe TRAINS.
At a meeting of the State Board of
Health held Thursday night in the Office |
of DR.. Landon b. Edwards. the follow |
ing resolution was adopted.
Whereas, II has come to the knowledge |,
of the Virginia State Board of Health |
that smallpox is prevalent in a danger |
Gus form In the Indian reservation, in |
King William county, on the line OF the |
York River branch of the Southern Rail- |
way Company. and that there is danger |
OF a spread Of this disease, by reason OF !
the proximity OF the two stations. Les i
TEL Manor and White House. on the |
above. mentioned railroad, TO the locality |
OF SAID reservation, If trains are per- |
mittod to take on and off passengers and |
freight at these two stations; now be II
Resolved. That the authorities |,
Of the Southern Railway Com
pany he advised of the great |
danger to the public health which |
will ensue from the stopping of their
trains at Lester Manor ana White |
House stations, and as far as the law |
Will permit this board to regulate the |
matter, the officials of said company are |
hereby directed TO discontinue stopping |
heir trains at said stations. until. in |
he opinion of the local sanitary author |
tiles, such danger has passed.
Resolved further. That copy Of these
resolutions be sent to the officers of the