Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
SPREAD OF DfPHTHERIA
Another School Building Closed for Disin-
lection Purposes.
Now Almost Sixty Cases In the City
Children Should BE Isolated
When Attacked.

The Force School building was closed this
morning because of the dphtheria, and
another case from the Peabody school on
Capitol Hill was reported. There were
eight cases of diphtheria reported to the
health Office yesterday. and this mornings
mail brought reports of two additional
cases. One scarlet fever was also re-
corded. In the Force building, which Is
located on Massachusetts avenue north
west. between 18th and 18th streets. con-
dition of affairs similar to those in the
Peabody School on Capitol Hill about ten
days ago existed, only there were not SO
many cases there as there were in the Pea
body. total of four cases in the Force
building greatly alarmed the parents of the
children attending there.
Yesterday morning more than eighty alb
sentees were reported in the Force building,
while the afternoon session Of the school
showed an Increase to total of about
1870. A similar condition Of affairs still ex-
lists in the Peabody building, although 1t
was disinfected more than a week ago.
This large rumber of absentees from the
Force building made 1t apparent that some
action must be taken in order to allay the
fear of parents. as well as to put the build
ing In perfect condition and prevent any
further spreading of the disease. If possible.
Still. as the officials say. there is danger
from infected children associating with
those who are not infected and to pre-
vent the children meeting on the streets
and associating together is next to impos-
s.ble.
1t is advised by the officials that the
clothing of the pupils be fumigated at their
homes, as precautionary measure.
Sixty Cases.
There now more than sixty cases of
the disease in the city and about as many
houses placarded. The cases Of diphtheria
are not now all confined to children, for
some older persons are also suffering from
the disease. In one case reported today the
patient is twenty-four years old and at
TENDS a law school. One case has been re-
ported from the Carberry building. which is
only snort distance from the Peabody
and 1t Is thought probable that a Peabody
pupil may have caused this case There
are also two cases in the Pierce school
which Is also in Northeast Washington
1t mas been suggested that the streets and
number Of the house In each case should
be published when reported in order that
the public might know where most of the
cases are, but the officials think this might
cause some unnecessary alarm. The fact
that warning cards are displayed on the
houses. they think, is sufficient notice to
the public of the location of the disease
Should He Isolated.
Omcials interested In the conta gious dis
ease work desire to again warn parents
that patients should be Isolated from other
members of the family. as far as possible.
Mention Vas madee, today Of in which
number of children in house are permit
ted to Virtually live II" the sick room, and
the inspector said he would not be at all
surprised if number of cases in the fam
lily resulted from this negligence or care
lessness.
With the number of cases Of the disease.
that are in the city the officials say there
is nothing like an epidemic about which
there Should be much alarm. The disease
is as bad in many cities as it is here ard
in some cities it is much worse. With the
proper care and attention of parents it is
thought the city will be saved from a Sc
we're epidemic. for the health officials are
doing all they can in the matter.
There were no reports Of new cases re-
ceived in the noon mail today.
Health Officer Woodward has received a
report from the Philadelphia health Off
Gals. showing that in that city last week
there were nineteen deaths from diphtheria.
seven from membraneous Group and one
from ordinary Group.