The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-28
CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS.
Health Boards Drastic Plan to
Cheek Scarlet Fever.
INCREASED NUMBER OF CASES.
No ASSernblaxes of Children Must
Occur If the Disease l. TO BE stop
ped-An Inspector Needed.

at a special meeting OF the board OF
health yesterday afternoon II was decided
that the scarlet fever situation in the city
was such that it was best 70 close all
ssaools. both public and private, and sun
day SCHOOLS. and discourage all contem-
plated gatherings OF children. This &c
ton was contingent on the action Of the
city council on the ordinances relative 10
the powers OF the board II was also de-
cided 70 appoint an inspector TO enforce
the quarantine rules. After the meeting
WAS called TO order Health Ofticer Palmer
submitted report showing that at pres
ent there were ffty-three cases of scarlet
fever in the city. thirty-six of which have
occurred this month and the remainder
during the last seventeen days OF APRIL
The three schools chiefly infested now
were the Denny. among whose pupils are
four cases: the Pacific where there are
two cases and the Mercer, where one
teacher and one pupil fiji ont the list.
Since the closing Of the South and Rain
ier schools the health officer said there
had not been case among the pupils of
those institutions. DR.. Holmes then in
troduced the following resolutions, con-
tingent on the action of the council,
which were adopted unanimously:
Whereas. The board of health views
with great apprehension the spread OF
scarlet fever In this city: and
disease has increased during May to an
extent 10 warrant the most rigid and Wig
orous measures being employed within
the power of the board to prevent further
spread and 10 control the disease through
ont the city; be 1t
Resolved That the board OF health in
structs the health officer to secure forth
with the closure OF all public. private and
Sunday schools throughout the city tarriv-
To- 4 IT
the demands in each case, to be opened
at time deemed safe I'm the judgment OF
the board and be it further
Resolved. That the health officer COM
municate at any time during May and
June with any person or persons arrang-
ing for any entertainment having for
object the assemblage of children. setting
forth the opinion OF the board that such
assemblages are dangerous to life ana
health and opposed to the desire of the
board. and should not be permitted: and
be IL further
Resolved, That all parents be again
warned OF the danger of permitting the
promiscuous mingling of children at their
houses and upon the streets and highways;
Provided, the provisions of these reso-
buttons shall not apply to boarding schools
where pupils live exclusively in the school
building"
Ut Miller asked for the opinion of DR..
Palmer as TO the ACCESSIBILITY of appoint
ing two inspectors TO go around and look
after the scarlet fever cases.
DR. Palmer said he did not have time to
20 around and keep track of fifty-three
cases in the city. and the usual complaint
against the department was that the quar-
antine was inefficient He admitted that
to certain extent II was. but came ahol~
through the disregard paid by families TO
the Instructions of the board OF health
II was impossible 10 keep the man of a
household at home unless the city bore
the expenses of the family. With view
10 get the best results with the least ex-
pense TO the city, the people of households
where scarlet fever existed were instruct
ed 10 isolate the patients and that those
who cared for them were not 10 mingIe
with other members of the family Chill
dren were not allowed outside the yard,
but as rule these instructions were ig-
nored. When people went out of an in
fected house some people would telephone
TO the health department about the mat
ter. but always refuse to give names. as
they did not want TO get into court The
police were instructed to notify families
on their beats TO observe the general rules
OF the department in relation to. the dis
ease
ON Holmes motion the secretary was in
structed TO ask the council 10 fix the SAL
airy OF an inspector to be appointed hy the
board. If the situation called for ii. a
second inspector could he appointed later
The building at 20S3 Eighth street was
ordered vacated as unsanitary.