The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-13
Scarlet Fever Sufferers
Come to This City.
They Had the Disease When
They Arrived at New York.
Health Officers at That Port Per-
mi,ted Them 10 Proceed.

Charles V. Chaplin, the jealous ana
efficient superintendent of health, TO put
il mildly Is provoked at a distressing
case that was brought TO his attention
week ago. Someone has been extremely
careless, and that carelessness has jeopar'
dized the health of several persons who
may be suffering from scarlet fever mt the
present time without any conception oi
how the disease was contracted.
A week ago last Monday n French
woman accompanied by three children,
arrived in this city. The children were
all sick with the scarlet fever. and the
mother knew they were thus afflicted.
Shortly after her arrival the facts in the
case were brought TO the attention Of sup
erintendent of Health Chaplin, and as
QUICKLY as possible he had the family re-
moved to the Rhode Island Hospital.
In subsequent investigation he learned
that the mother and the three children
arrived on French steamer in New
York a week ago last Saturday. Ihey
had come from Boulogne and while on
the voyage the children were taken sick.
The me ther knew her little ores were
very sick and on her arrival at New hork
she called the attention of the ships doc
tor to their condition. He told her every
thing was all right and she was per-
mitted To pass quarantine.
DIR. Chaplin stated that at that time the
children must have shown SYMPTOMS
Of the disease with which they were
afflicted. and that the quarantine
officers had neglected their duty.
The .children should rot have teen
Allowed to pass TO the big city to spread
contagion.
They staved-in New York until Sunday
evening when they took the Fall River
line steamer ana arrived In this city "a
week ago Monday.
DR. Chaplin has ascertaned that the
regular French steamer arrived in New
York at the time mentioned was given a
clear bill of health and for this reason
he is inclined TO the belief that the
stricken family arrived on some other
vessel
There is no quick way of ascertaining If
such is the fact, but he has taken steps
that will have tendency TO throw some
light on the way these sick children got
iEto this city.
II the law has been violated In New
York. permitting such violent and deadly
contagion To come here without any effort
being made to check IL, and no can estab-
lisn that fact then the authorities OF the
metropolis will have TO answer to tho
authorities of this city for such criminal
recklessness
DR., Chaplin has ascertained that tho hus-
band and father is in this part of the
country, and the unfortunate mother and
he stricken little ones came here in search
Of him.
There Is one fact that arouses suspicion,
however The baggage of the family
bears no marks or tho steamer on which
them made the passage, nut it does bear
the tags of shipment from Paris TO
Boulogne which inclines the Superinten-
dent of Health TO the belief that the
family was shipped out OF France to this
country az paupers. If that is so then
case for the Government will be on hand.
The children are recsiving the best of
treatment and care ut the hospital aud II
they have not communicated the dis 'ase
whiIo travelling in crowded conveyances
good fortune rather than good care pre-
vented it.