Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-07-23
DISEASE UNDER CONTROL
The Smallpox Scare Is Rapidly
SubSiding.
NO NEW CASES IN THE CITY
And Stringent Efforts Being Made to Keep
1t From Reappearing Rumors
Circulated Meeting Today

Although the smallpox scare is the all
absirbing topic of discussion, the uneasi-
ness has about subsidized and no fear is
now expressed as to it's spreading to any
great extent.
The precaution of vaccination Is still be-
ing practiced and hundreds of negroes
and whites, males and females, expert
enced a touch of the lancet yesterday.
Drs. ]. w. Bailey. w. C. Woods and j. w.
Shoemaker were kept very busy attend
ing to the large number of applicants at
the formers office on Second avenue and
Twenty-seccnd street.
DR.. Barclay received 5000 points of vac
cine yesterday for which the county pays
but the amount allotted TO the city gave
out about noon and the work was tenn
porarily stepped. To avoid this reocur-
ring in the future, Acting Mayor Pearce
ordered 5000 points yesterday for the
use of the city force. This is expected
here today.
FALSE RUMORS.
As is always the case there are people
who originate panfcy stories at just such
times as these. This occasion has prov
en- no exception and all kinds of stories
are ahoat. They are not alone confined
to Birmingham, but are sent broadcast
city.
Last night the following telegram was
received by the State Herald:
Columbus, Ca. July %, 1897.
State Herald, Birmingham, Ala.
Understood here that smallpox is ra-
pidly spreading in Birmingham Board
of health meets tomorrow. Kindly give
us the truth. ENQUIRER-SUN.
In answer to the above message the re-
pert of the local health officer, DR.. ]. W.
which &c criV 'Dyy w n q ed
on the wires. 1t is clsar, concise state
ment and refutation of such erroneous
reports.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
Notwithstanding the fact that the adj
ADMINISTRATION is confident that the physi-
clans have the disease under absolute
control active precautionary measures
to prevent a farther spread of the dis
ease are being enforced.
The heavy rains of the past few days
have greatly aided in washing away
what accumulation escaped the watchful
eye of the sanitary officer and the sew
ers were muchly benefited thereby. The
streets were flushed and the garbage and
city wagons kept continually at work.
The houses where the patients were re-
siding will be thoroughly fumigated and
there seems to be hardly a possibility
that the disease can become epidemic.
Whenever a suspected case is found
the patient is hastily sent over TO the
camps on Red mountain where about
twenty-eight cases are being treated. OF
this number only nine are thought to
have smallpox, the others are merely
suspects,
THE CITY CLEAR.
Acting Mayor Pearce was seen by a
State Herald representa- tive last night
and he seems thoroughly satisfied with
the outlook. He is working hard to keep
the disease down, and his efforts are
meeting with eminent success.
He stated that not single suspicious
case is in the city and as fast as one de-
velops 1t is sent to the pest house post
haste.
To still further guard against the reap
Dsiarance or spread of the disease Mayor
Pearce stated that Mr.. Bellsnyder had
been appointed temporary assistant san
itary officer and he will have charge of
the two wagons with Instructions to re-
move any rev cases that may be report
ed
A competent physician with an efficient
officer, will visit all vacated premises and
disinfect them, besides destroying all
bedding, clothes, etc, that may BE- found.
Gen. Thomas, the sanitary inspector,
and Coroner Benkhalter will go through
every street and alleyway in the city
and arrest all parties who have not duly
complied with the sanitary laws.
CLEAN UP.
Every citizen is earnestly urged to keep
his premises thoroughly cleaned The
law demanGs this but Mayor Pearce re-
quests that special attention be given the
yards and sidewalks.
Lime, necessary for disinfectrg pur-
poses. can be had by making application
to John T. Evans. at the mayors office.
NEW STATION.
In order to facilitate matters DR. Wilder
will open headquarters this morning at
III: city hall at $50 o'clock. He win have
two competent asstst ants and will vac
climate all persons who apply without
cost The station wfll be open all day
and everybody is urged to attend to the
iriatter of vaccina ton.
Any person knowing or hearing Of sus-
picious cases are urged to promptly re-
port same TO DR.. Barclay by telephone
or otherwise, All his office, corner Second
avenue and Twenty-first street.
MEETING TO-DAY.
Dr. Saunders. the state health officer
a rive'1 IL tire city last night and will meet
with the local board OF health at O'Clock
this morning. The meeting will be held
i'm DR. s'hols Office.
The mayors of BeSsemer al Pratt
City have bean invited to be present at
the meeting for the purpose OF conferring
relative TO mutual interests.
BOARDS REPORT.
The committee of health repor. two new
cas:s of small poX today OF very light
type Both have been removed to the
pest house. The diseased condition is
evidently abating; Vaccination is general
isolation is strict.
Practically there are now no fears of
1t spreading to any great extent. The
community moves along in tho usual bus
iness channels, perfectly confident that
the invasion of the disease is under all