Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-06-08
No CAIJSE FOR ALARM,

NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.
In another column will be found an
interview with DR.. Campbell, of Clo-
YER, with regard to the case of small
pox, or supposed smallpox, under his
care.
The object of THE ENQUIRER in
talking to DR.. Campbell about the
matter, was to get at the exact facts
in the case, separated from the wild
and alarming rumors which will nec-
essarily get into circulation through
the country.
About the facts, as developed in this
interview, there are several important
matters to which it is not improper to
call attention. Indeed, an under
standing of these facts seems to be
absolutely necessary to a proper ap-
probation of the situation.
In the first place, it is proper to
state that there is possibility that in
some particulars DR.. Campbell may
have been misunderstood in what he
said but this we do not think is prob
able. If there has been any misun-
derstanding, however, at the request
of the doctor quick correction will be
made.
Among other things, it will be noted
that DR.. Campbell is not absolutely
certain that the case was smallpox. 1t
has conformed to all symptoms of this
disease but Notwithstanding this fact,
be declines to be positive. The reason
of this is that he has had no exper-
ience with an undisputed case of small
pox, and it is a well-known fact that
chickenpox and other eruptive diseases
are so much similar in character that
only an expert can tell the difference.
But, of course, whether the disease
is smallpox or not, there is no question
of the fact that it is loathsome and dis
agreeable, and should be avoided as far
as possible. However, the doctor is
of opinion that so far as this particu-
lar case is concerned, there is now no
danger of any further spread in the
community.
Again, another point which should
be noted, is that whether smallpox or
not, there was certainly good reason
for thinking it the genuine article.
The Negro had no special claim on the
services of DR.. Campbell, and the in
cident shows that no matter with what
contagious disease the doctor may be
confronted, he will do his duty. In
this respect he is entitled to, and will,
no doubt, receive full credit.
Whether smallpox or not, from our
talk with DR.. Campbell, we gather the
idea that there is no cause for alarm,
or at least for a senseless panic. No
matter what this disease might be, it
certainly requires attention. Sick
people, unable to help themselves,
must be looked after. Without prop
er attention, whooping cough, measels
and even chicken pox, will kill a
patient as dead as smallpox has ever
done, and unless patients are to be
looked after they may as we'll have
smallpox as anything else.
There have been great many cases
of this disease in Columbia. From
the best information obtainable, al
though reports are to the contrary,
there have been very few deaths. AS
to whether these deaths occurred from
this disease, complications or neglect,
is still a question. At any rate, it is
fact that if the disease is smallpox,
it is of an exceedingly mild form. In
many cases the patients have not been
forced to take their beds, aud in the
majority of cases the period of illness
has not extended over more than three
or four days, all of which is remark
able for a disease which is generally
accredited by the medical authorities
as being even more fatal than the
IL
Then again, in another column it
will be noted that the leading physi-
clans of Columbia say the disease
down there is now we'll under control,
and that there is now no further cause
for alarm. So, under all the circum-
stances, we think that while there is
justification for avoiding, as far as
possible, the contracting of this dis
ease, still there is no reason why the
people should allow themselves to 60
into q panic over it. Neither is there
any reason why those who may be so
unfortunate as to be infected should
be neglected.
MERE-MENTION.