Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-07-20
NO NEED TO BE ALARMED
Over the Appearance of the Disease, as Prompt
and Vigorous Measures
HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY AUTHORITIES
kcting Mayor Pearco Calls the Board in spe-
cial Session and the Right Steps Are
Taken-The Board of Health
Actively at Work.

OF the peop4e mere over the announce
ment that smallpox is in the city. There
is visitation of the disease, but the san
itation of the city is SO perfect that ths-e
is absolutely no need for apprehension
that the disease will become epidemic, be-
sides the city and county officials and
health board have the matter well in
hand and it is only a matter of few
days ere the usual serenity will prevail.
DR.. w. H. Saunders. the efficient state
health officer, was in the city few days
ago and with the city health officers in
spected the suspicious cases which have
been to some extent puzzling the phy-
sicianss locally He finally decided the
disease to Be smallpox. The type of the
disease prevalent here is very mi d,
hence the absence of a need for appre-
hension.
Yesterday morning the health board
held a meeting and decided to make the
announcement that smallpox was in the
city and to so notify the xiayor Upon
receiving the information Acting Mayer
Pearce called special meeting of the
mayor and board of alderman The
board of county commissioners was also
invited to be present.
The meeting was called TO order at
noon with the following present: Acting
Mayor Pearce Aldermen Ashford, Ram
men, Graham. Gray, McCartn and
Hentschel.
Acting Mayor Pearce then had read by
the clerk the following communication
from the board of health:
To the Honorable Board of Mayor and
Aldermen. Birmingham Ala:
Since Friday last the 10th instant there
have been reported to the committee of
health by four different physicians, cases
which investigation by the state health
a md hnip atlxrpi afa hoxf
pronounced to be smallpox. Some very
mild, one only white man. the first since
this Eighth avenue case. In visw of these
facts and to prevent further extensions of
the disease, we recommend that all cases
of Infectious eruptive diseases, called
smallpox, now and hereafter, be removed
from the city, isola ted and quarantined
until pronounced safely we'll by the board
of health officer To that end, as we have
no pest house, we recommend that tents
be provided for the accommodation of the
sick and that suitable medical attention,
necessary medicine and commissary sup
plies and guards be furnished We fur
Their recommend that sections 274 and 275
of the city code, requiring vaccination, be
enforced, and that the board of health
be Instructed Ito carry out the details of
these sections. We recommend also that
all unvaccinated persons call upon their
family physicians for vaccination.
We recommend further that the health
officer be instructed to secure dsnfec-
ton of all houses where this disease now
prevails or may prevail on removal of the
infected parties. With these precauti ms
exercised, our citizens can go along con-
fidently about their daily business, as iso-
lation, cimbined with general vaccina-
ton. will effectually and speedily stamp
out the disease.
We call on all good citizens to cheer
fully comply with these requirements
thatswe may thus be saved from an cpl
demc of disease.
BY order of the committee of health
T. II. SHOLL, NJ. D.. Chairman.
L. G. WOODSON, Secretary.
1t being announced that members of
the board of county commissioners were
present they were invited to participate
in the deliberations of the meeting.
Alderman Williams, after the commu-
nication from the health board was re-
ceived, suggested that the chairman in
qulre Of the county commissioners if they
would help defray the necessary expenses
in having all cases of the disease and
suspects placed in a pest house where
they could be properly attended to.
Commissioner Stratford, in behalf of
that body, responded, saying the board
would bear it's share of the expenses.
Gen. George L. Thomas, the city sani-
tary officer, was called upon to state the
condition of the present pest houses of
the city and give their capacity. He re-
sponded, saying the quarters were fairly
comfortable with an abundant supply of
fine spring water near by and that the
location was a good one. He stated,
however, that there was only accommo-
dations sufficient for six people. He
stated further that he had telegraphed
to Montgomery in reference to cots and
that they would soon be forthcoming.
Alderman Graham stated that he had
seen Quartermaster Elliott, of the Second
regiment, and that gentleman had ar
ranged to have a sufficient number of
cots here by today to be put in service.
County Commissioner Young stated
that the board had arranged to have
pest house built at once, same to be ready
by the last of the week.
Alderman Gray moved that the matter
be entrusted to the acting mayor, police
and sanitation committee, and board of
county commissioners, with power to act.
Carried
Immediately after the adjournment OF
the board the special committee met for
the purpose of taking active and immedi-
ate steps in the matter. The meeting was
brief. but to the point and they decided
to at once go to work on the matter and
have all patients and persons exposed to
the disease removed to the pest house.
To avoid complications, the entire matter
was turned, over to Acting Mayor Pearce
and County Commissioner Young.
Mayor Pearee informed a State Herald
reporter that he had already ordered
full force of hands out to go into every
alley and by way of the city and clean
up everything as they go and to spread
lime thoroughly in every direction. All
stagnant pools will be filled up on the
outskirts and the city will be soon in
condition of perfect sanitation.
- NOTICE.
County Health officer J. w. Barclay
requests the State Herald to print the
following and urge the people to give
them due credenee:
The board of health of Jefferson county
directs attention to the following sections
from the criminal code of Alabama
1880. Failure of head of family to report
pestilential or infectious diseases.-Any
head of family or any other person,
upon whose premises a case of pesu,ential
or infectious disease occurs. which Is not
under the charge of physician. who re-
fuses or wilfully fails to report the same
to the county health officer. must on cor
viction be fined not less than five nor
more than twenty-five dollars.
1883. Failure of physician to report pes
tilential or infectious diseases.--Any ply
stefan. or person praeticing medicine, be-