The Press., 1895-02-21
-sometbing like panic was aroused

last Saturday Dy eXagSeFaIeu FeporGS oI the prevalence in the borough of diph- theria. The excitement caused a pressure to be put upon the court of burgesses, whe convened, inviting the borough physicians, including the town health officers and the school committee and others, to meet with them. The resulting investigation showed that the reports were magniied several fold above tho facts. RumOr put the number of cases as high as 19, with three deaths. Investigation gives evi- dence of but two deaths of diphtheria, and not above six cases of illness. In one case of death-a child-the parents had kept the body in the house, permitting many to view the remains, and the funeral was public. In view of the circumstances, and in consideration of the prevailing alarm, the burgesses deemed it best to recommend that the public schools be closed for two weeks, also to recommend that Sunday schools and other assem- blages of young children be omitted for like period. The school committee there upon suspended the schools for two weeks, and the churches generally also omitted Sunday schools and gatherings of Chris tian Endeavor Societies, etc. The ex- citement subsided as quickly as it had awakened, and there is little doubt that the epidemic will be successfully stamped out. Dr. Smith, the town health officer, announces that he is using the new reme- dy, anti-toxine, and we understand that other physicians also have this newly dis covered and proved remedy on hand. The borough authorities have issued rules similar to those adopted by the town health officers, which have been widely distributed. Dr. FL. Smith, town health officer, issues the following amended rule, which has also been adopted by the bor- ough board of health:
 Every physician shall report in writing to the town health officer every case of cholera, yellow fever, .diphtheria, mem braneOus croup, typhus fever, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, measles, leprosy, smallpox, or other contagious or infec- tious diseases which the town health Ofti- cer may designate, occurring in his prac- tice, within forty-eight hours of his firsf attendance upOu such cases. And such report shull state the name of each person so affected, where such person resides, to- gether with parents or guardians name, if such case shall occurin a child.
 Three cases of scarlatina-two in the family of w. H. Cooley, and one in that of w. H. Smith-are doing finely, being nearly recovered.
 The very sudden death of Dr. A. o. Bissonette last Sunday morning has awakened much public sympathy. The young man had n ade~ warm friends dur ing his short stay here, and it is evident that the town has lost one who would have made a valuable citizen and de- servedly successful medical practitioner. Dr. Bissonette was member of 8 leading family of Montreal, standing high in so- cial and political life, his father having for over thirty years held the high posi- tion of high sheriff of the city of Mon treal. The son was a graduate of McGill college and of Paris medical college, from which he had his diploma. After brief practice in Paris hospitals he came to Massachusetts, proposing to locate in Lowell, but the business depression at the time made that field look unpronis- ing, and he was induced by his old &C., quaintance, J. D. Armstrong, to come to Stafford Springs. Though he had been here but few weeks he had bright pros- poets, and having shown good qualities as man and physician, He had office and apartments in Warrens block, and last Saturday elegant furnishings for these rooms arrived from Montreal. His moth CT also came last Wednesday to visit her son, and to aid in furnishing his room. She found her son slightly indisposed, but he did not take to his bed until Thurs day, when a severe case of pleurisy and lung inflammation manifested itself. He was attended most faithfully by Drs. New ton and Smith, but the disease grew worse until Sunday morning, when he died. The body was taken to Montreal on Monday evening, accompanied by the afflicted parents.
 The Monday evening club met this week with MT. and Mrs. J. J. Ellis on Highland Terrace.
 Miss Edith c. Baker and Represent ative J. Carl Converse are receiving con- gratulations of friends on their just an- nounced marriage engagement.
 George D. Shaw and F.. A. Adams have been attending the G. A. R. en- campment> at Bridgeport this week, at which yesterday Rev. T. c. Druley was elected chaplain of the department of Conn.,, G. A. R.
 The choir of the Congregational church have in preparation musical entertain ment called "The Old Plantation" to be given at the church on the evening of Feb. 26th or 27th, avails to supply mu- sical publications for the choir.
 Residents of Stafford Springs never saw woolens or mems clothing sold as cheaply here as at present, nor, if good wages are to be maintained, can they long remain as low.
 -DimOck's meat market was closed by an attachment on Friday last, and ar engagements have not yet been made for re-opening.
 Louis c. Converse is receiving con- gratulations. It is girl, born Feb. 14th "a valentine worth having.
 J. w. Chandler and c. c. Parkess have been re-appointed judges of the Staf- ford Springs borough court.
 -Michael Corcoran has sold his bill Hard room business to Edward Barber.
 Stafford Hollow.
 tCorrespondence.)
 A war-song concert will be given on Washington's birthday, tomorrow even- ing, in the Universalist church. The fol- lowing is the program: "Just Before