The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-04
A MODERN MOLOCH.
The Peril Of the 1nnocentS
Continues
Under the Direction of the
Health Board.
THREE NEW CASES
Of Diphtheria Appear in the
City Today.
Remarkable Stubb0rnness Gone
Wild.
SCHOOLS WON'T CLOSE.
But Parents Take Their Chill
dren Out.
List of Cases Bigger Today
Than Ever Before.

At least three new cases of diph-
liberia have been reported today. 1t is
known that there are twenty four cases
on the books of the health department
The city board of education has con-
cluded to follow the advice of the obsti-
nate board of health and at a special
meeting held last night decided not TO
close the schools. The members of the
board of health were present at the
meeting and they told the board that it
is not necessary to close the schools.
The board of health still seems willing
to assume the responsibility for the con-
tinuous deaths, but why the board OF
education will listen to their advice
when it has been clearly proved that it
is dangerous TO keep the schools open, is
a mystery.
Now the responsibility for keeping
the schools open in the face of the cpl
demic is shared with the board of edu-
cation. They were given the opportUni-
ty to act and preferred to await develop
ments. 1t is not yet clear what the two
boards viii require as a sufficient cause
for tho closing of the schools Perhaps
the death of some body in their own fam
lily. Other peoples children don't ap-
pear to count
Not day passes but that some case
is reported in which the child has at
tended school. There is a general sus-
pIclon that the disease is communicated
in the schools in spite OF precautions and
the people Will continue to think so.
They have the advice of the best physi-
Clans to support their theory.
President Jesse Shaw of the school
board has written long explanation of
what is being done at the schools to pre-
vent the spread of the disease, but he did
not tell how it happened that a girl,
whose sister was dying with diphtheria,
attended Harrison school regularly He
says that the room was fumigated, but
who knows IN how many of her school
mates the terrible germs have already
commenced their work Fumigation may
prevent. the future communication OF the
disease. but it can have no effect upon
the people who have already come in
contact with the infected individual
In spite of the assurance of the
board of health and board of education
the disease. continues to spread and at
least three new cases have been reported
in the city today. Two of the cases are
in the family of II. Bowlus, at 129 Jack
son street. The children are eight and
ten years of age. Fortunately they have
not attended school since a week ago
yesterday. They were going to Harri-
son school, and it is significant fact
that they quit school at about the time
the son of J. S. Warner was taken with
the disease in the same school. The
disease has just had time to develop and
1t Is possible that they were infected by
the Warner child. 1t remains to be seen
now many more cases may be traced to
the same source. Still this schools must
be kept open to afford opportunities Tor
similar cases.
The other case is in a family named
Jewett at 112 Lake street In addition to
these cases case has been reported at
Oakland.
Fern Williams, the little daughter of
Ben Williams. who lives on Forest
avenue has been taken with the disease
and the house has been quarantined un-
der the direction of the Topeka board of
health 1t is probable that other cases
will appear in Oakland and the Oakland
school board may profit by the stupidity
OF the Topeka board of health and close
the schools before the disease becomes
prevalent.
AS man who lives on the west side
was coming down town yesterday after
noon he noticed TWO white chiIdran
walking in front of him. Soon little
colored boy turned the street corner and
started toward them. With frightened
cry they turned and ran down the street
exclaiming that they were afraid of she
colored child because there was diDb-
liberia in its family.
Helen Clark, II colored girl, was at the
high school Friday morning Friday
evening she had diphtheria, and the
house was quarantiued, or rather the
. house was "carded." When the officers
went to the house. Gertie Solomon. a
schoelmate of the sick girl, had Just left
the room after making a visit. and still
the Solomon girl has been attending the
high school ever since 1t would be in
order now for the board of education
to order the room in which she has sat
with other pupils fumigated.
DR.. J. E. Minney says that if the dis
ease continues to increase the schools
should be closed. 1t does continue to in
crease, and he had best see the board of
health. u
Mayor Fellows has called a snecial
meeting of the council for tonight, One
OF the councilmen told JoURNAI reror-
ter that the meeting is.called to endorse
some one, and he intimated that it is the
board of health that is to he en-
dorsed. The council will be asked 70
put its seal on the obstinate
Iecklessnes of the city board of health
SINE of the councilmeu have children
sf their own and they will be sow t