The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-02
THEIR ARREST ORDERED.
Board OF Health Is After the Christ ian
Scientists Who Treated James
Wood, jr., for Diphtheria.

The two Christian Scientists, Mrs.
Charles Maynard. of River street, and
Mrs. David Mckee. of Adams avenue.
who have been held by coroners
jury responsible for the death of
James Wood, jr.. will now have 10
answer to the board of health as will
the father Of the boy, for not having
reported the case. which was diphtheria
and for not having plaCarded the
house when the death took place.
At yesterdays meeting of the board
We're present. NJ. j. Kelley, president;
w. f.. Allen, NJ. D.. health officer; j. X.
Bentley, NJ. d., W., A. Paine, NJ. d.:
Henry Zeigler. George :. Horn. Secre-
tary Briggs. Sanitary Policeman Burke,
Food Inspector Cullen and Superin-
t-ndent LOTUS. of the creuiatory. Be
fore the meeting formally opened there
was an informal discussion of the
Christian Science case during which
Drs. Allen, Bentley and Paine did
not hesitate to condemn in very forcible
language the failure of the household
and the two women healers to report
the case or take precautions against
Contagiun.
After the meeting opened a verbal
report by DR.. Allen as health officer
contained a reference to the Wood case.
He recommended that the board take
legal action. not against Christian
Science. but against those who had ig-
nored the law concerning contagious
diseases. A physician, he said, would
he prosecuted for such negligence and
it was imperative that the father Of the
boy and two women should be accorded
the same treatment.
THEIR ARREST ORDERED.
Later in the session and under the
head of new business u resolution was
adopted as presented by DR.. Bentley di-
recting Sanitary officer Burke to
cause the arrest of the three parties
and that the board appear as prosecu-
tor I'm the action. Secretary Briggs and
Burke consulted with City Solicitor
Torrey for quite a period after the
meeting in reference to the particulars
of the case and the necessary steps to
he taken. The city solicitors conclu
sion and the consequent action will
probably be made known today.
1t is peculiar coincidence that At
torney Horn. who is member of the
board, is counsel for the two women in
the coroner's case which is now in the
hands of the district attorney. The
coroner's jury held them for criminal
negligence and for receiving pay for
treatment contrary to law. In yester-
days meeting Attorney Horn made
this fact known to the other members
but said he had no objection to offer to
the action taken. He averred that the
charge of the board was distinct from
that contained in the verdict of the
corOner's jury. Further than this he
took no active part in the proceedings
but ne refrained from voting.
Thereafter all cases of membran aous
Group must be reported to the board
1t has not heretofore heen held to be
strictly contagious disease. Recent
~ Dr. Henry Lee. secretary OF tie state
! board, wrote Secretary Briggs request
| ing figures containing the prevalence of
| that and other diseases in this city for
| the last five years. The request was
complied with excepting in regaid t.
Group of the membraneous kind, Secre.
tary Briggs informing the state officer
! that such cases were not reported.
Ducrpov,>v r,,,,s, r,r
| '''''
secretary Lee. in letter read before
tne meeting ol yesterday. cited the AT
OF ls'' Whlch includes the disease In
tne iist OF contagious ana hereafter II
VIII nave 10 be reported and the houses
piacarded winch contain IL.
me secretary was instructed to re-
quest tne members or the sanitary com.
! mlttNas OF councils TO attend a. joint
meeting WIN the Doafd next Wedn"s'
day nisht. Inc OBJECT Is to nave coun
CHS chahge the style or drafting sewer
ordinances so me whether property
owner mas .'ald MS assessment or moi
tne poard can compel MN to connect