The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-28

sulphur did not destroy the OacllIl
DR.. Squibb of Brooklyn demonstrated
that it was the want of moisture in the
air hat prevented the destruction of the
bacilli, and he showed that when wafer
was used with the sulphur sulphurOus
acid was formed which destroyed the
germ.
"From my knowledge of this condi-
ton, shall take my children out OF
school Realizing as ! do that single
case may infect an entire school, the
danger is too great and the schools
| should be closed at once. 1t is alwAya
safe TO err on the side of safety. If you
err on the other side it is too late"
DR.. @. w. Hogeboom said: 81 have
jusr returned from Chicago and do not
know the diphtheria situation ia Topeka.
"But if that young boy that was sent
home from the Harrison schools had the
diphtheria that school should undoubt-
edlv be closed
There are some schools on the east
side also where the disease is most pre-
vaient that should also be closed
"Diphtheria is filth disease arising
largely from the poor sanitary conditions
of the neighborhood where it is Cum
tracted.
1.-The sanitary force should at once go
into every infected district, flush the
sewers, search the cellars, cleanse the
back ALLEYS inspect the wells and drain
age and Clean up
foo strict sanitary measures cannot be
taken.
'Dlphtheria is contagious disease but
requires closer contact than scarlet fever
or smallpox"
Dr. L. Y Grubbs said: 81 consider
the iiphtheria more danger 'us than the
smallpox to a child, but it requires much
O!u tn yi.
| GUS
"The board of health will meet today
and appoint a large number of sanitary
police and take effective steps TO strictly
! quarantine the vicinity OF infected
houses.
lit was an ill advised movement to cut
| down the sanitary force in the tirst stages
! of the dIphtheria trouble. When that
was talked of entered my protest and
| said we should increase the sanitary
| force rather than decrease il.
"It would seem a hardship to close
the schools just now; and am of the
| opinion If a strict q uarantine prevails it
may not be necessary.
IF that was a genuine case of ma
| lignant diphtheria in the Harrison
school that school should be closed"
DR.. Kirk patrick, secretary of the state
board of health, said: sit seems to me
that the board Of education is certainly
running great risk IN allowing the
city schools to continue in session at
this time.
"There is no question of a doubt that
malignant diphtheria is prevailing in To-
peka and that u number of deaths has
occurred from it.
1T seems that it would be the wise
thing to close the schools for time.
| Children have more time to secure an
education than to die.
''If ! was to choose between a child
having diphtheria and SMALLPOX l would
| take the latter. If a child receivers, often
lis voice or throat is paralyzed."
DR.. Ida &, Barnes said: 81 think the
diphtheria is very serious and there ls
danger in connection with the schools
running
"Of. course it is not for me to say
whether the schools should be closed OF
| kept going during this prevaency, bu
no better method OF scattering the dis
ease exists.
"The children play and get warm and
then all drink from the same cups and
that spreads it,"
The trades assembly held meeting
last night, and adopted the following
| resolutions:
"Whereas, There is at the present time
an epidemic of contagious diseases in the
city: and
"Whereas, There seems to be gros:
negligence on the part Of the officials
having the health of the city in charge
be it therefore
"Resolved, By the Topeka Trades and
! Labor assembly that We earnestly re-
| quest the officials of the city to take
lmmed ate sanitary measures to preven
further spread of the disease"