The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-04-15
An EXPERT ON SMALLPOX
DIR RODGERS VIEWS UPON THE
QUARANTINE At WAIKIKI.
\ Few "reminiscences of the Smallpox
Epidemic of lsSl-lt Cost Nearly 500
Lives and Over 100000 in Cash.

During the smallpox siege in Homo
lulu in the early eighties DR.. Charles
T. Rodgers, now secretary of the
Board of Education, was the physi-
clan in charge of the temporary small
pox hospital From March until Aug
ust in 1881, DR.. Rodgers devoted every
moment of his time to -he patients
who were struggling with the dreaded
disease.
The records kept at the hospital
showed that during these months SIS
persons stricken with the plague had
been received there. OF this number
POI died and 374 recovered. Patients
came in very rapluly and a. one time
there were 1871 persons confined in the
hospital and undergoing treatment.
The recent outbreak of the disease
among the Japanese immigrants and
the scare that it has created about
town has recalled to DR.. Rodgers mind
incidents of the spread of the disease
in the town during so and 81. There
is probably no one in Honolulu who
has given more thought and attention
to smallpox than DR.. Rodgers and
what he has to say will be of interest.
There is much criticism about town
upon the action of the authorities al
lowing communication with the Gov
eminent officials now in quarantine at
~. Ia, n
Dr. Rodgers. Now, except for the
moral effect of the thing there is alb
solutely no danger of the disease
spreading itself through these people.
Why are they quarantined, you ask?
Because they have been exposed and
until sufficient time has elapsed to al
low the disease to develop in case they
have been attacked there can be no
danger. Those people who have been
exposed are merely placed in quaran-
tine so that they might be found when
wanted by the health authorities"
Then, doctor, you do not think the
quarantine of the Castle home a
farce?"
mo, not from what | can learn. |
antine has had his clothing thorough
ly disinfected, and if that be the case
| cannot see any danger of the spread
of smallpox in the city. Mind you,
believe that they should be quaran-
tined and it would be best to enforce
the regulations as strictly as possible.
A physician visits them each day and
when any symptoms are noticed
among any of the officials confined at
the Castle home then the greatest care
should be taken"
DR.. Rodgers said that his experience
during the days of 1881 had been of
great value to him. At that time he
learned that the general health of the
people was in no condition to stand an
attack of smallpox.
81 have always been an advocate OF
compulsory vaccination" continued
DR.. Rodgers. 'Up to 81 the rising
generation had been allowed to grow
up entirely unprotected by vaccina-
ton. 4 law has since been enacted
compelling the residents of the islands
to be vaccinated, but no effort is made
to enforce it.
Very often one come across
cranks on the subject of vaccina-
ton. Why, only yesterday man
began telling me that vaccination
had done more harm than it has
good. This man, / afterward
learned, knew nothing regarding
smallpox or vaccination, nor did he
have any idea of the statistics upon
such cases. Official statistics cite mil
lions of cases where the efficiency of
vaccination has been proven and If
this is not sufficient then human testl-
mony is worthless. Suffice it to say,
that with general vaccination made
compulsory and faithfully carried out,
no epidemic of smallpox would be pos
sihle. ! entertain doubts whether we
would be able to stamp out the disease
without great loss of life should it