The times., 1898-12-19
S. KANN, SONS & co.
Eighth and Market Space.

my own family was taken sick One of
the most reliable and active physicians of
the city was summoned. He pronounced
it a very sort throat and bad cold gener-
ally. Two days later he called it a sus-
picious throat and anti-toxined her for
diphtheria. He then told US to isolate her
called for a trained nurse and gave us
precautions. The culture was taken and
sent immedia tely to the health office Thu
health boards regulations read as follows:
1T shall be the duty of said health officer.
IN conjunction with the attending physi-
clan, to cause the premises to be properly
disinfected and to issue the necessary in
structions for the isolation of the patient"
We waited all day for the health officers
TO come to the house, but they did not ap-
pear The following day we received re-
port that no diphtheria nor scarlet fever
germs had been detected. However. the
doctor took another culture and the fol-
lowing day we received word: Positively
no diphther!a nor scarlet fever" Neither
did the health officers put in an appear
ance that day. although the doctor had
reported the case promptly
Two days later the child died. and then
came ihe certificate from the health office
OF death from diphtherla.. We telephoned
Immediately TO the health office TO find
out what 1t meant: they said they would
send one Of their men Immediately.
After the funeral in the afternoon of
the succeeding day and six DAYS after the
case had been reported. one of the health
officials rode up ard told us how we could
fumigate our premises and told his driver
TO put on the sign. OF course the sign
did not go up, for it was not worth while
locking the stable after the horse had
been stolen, and after they had assured
US that 1t was not diphtheria while the
child lived
| The doctor from the health Office who
| came to the house told us where we could
buy our fumigating material. saying that
/ for the past two months they had had
no money for fumigating purposes The
| appropriation had run out | told him
that the officiols consumed 1t all; that
/ they left nothing for hiring faborers.
buying disinfectants and affording proper
protection TO the public.
The latest newspaper reports announce
abont ninety cases of scarlet fever
and about 100 of diphtheria. but from
driving about the city seeing the signs
| and hearing of children sick of the con-
tagion being sent away from our public
schools, i certainly believe 1t to be hun
dreds and hundreds of cases instead OF
above number. 1t certainly seems as If i,
were time for Congress to take some
action to prevent the spread of this con-
tagion which is certainly increasing al
an alarming rate.
The following case was brought to m;
attention some time ago: Right in thi:
city. in one house. there were three
women taken violently i'll. A doctor wa.
summoned but two died. The first docto
called in second and they pumped ou
the contents of the stomach of the thir,
woman. 1t was taken down to the healtl
office for examination. They refused, say
ing in was not their business to attcn.
to it, and would not investigate 1t
although We citizens pay chemist an
nually for just such work. Such i
the sanitary condition of this city. Coz
help the people. f. b. HUGHES,
800 Street northeast.