The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-04-27
Fighting Smallpox.
What the Columbia Board Of
Health is Doing.

OUlumOta3 - Ytu. ~ w OsAA~'' PSO
in Columbia is receiving decisive sod
emphatic action. The whole situation
vas canvassed and it was decided to
have compulsory vaocio asioo, which is
to begin at once. The Board was thor
oughly reorgani7ed at the ousses' The
new msm bere, Dr.. j. W Babcock, j..
s Moore srd ]. 8. Muller, we're sworn
into Office Tie reo-gs isstion vas eff
fected BY the election Of Dr. A Earle
Boczer, ss president Dr.. 0 E. Tbom
az, as vice president, and T. T Talley,
as secretary Aldermen Earle. Robort
son and Dcpcau, as committee of city
council we're present.
Dr.. Boozer submitted his report az to
The total cost involved in the handling
of the trouble sioce the second out
break. showing i. to be $500 up to date
The board had taken the precaution
to 6od ous the legal status as to iss .au
tbority to enforce compulsory ysooioa-
siou, aud legal opiuion vas presented
from M j s. Muller iu which be
Quoted the law aud authorities
and gave it as his opin-
ion that the board had abso!ae author-
i.y to enforce a rigid system Of vacci-
oa,ioo. 1; was brought cut later that
the board also bad authority. to bring
before the mayor aud have severely
punished aay person who interfered 10
ia any way with the health officers or apy
one else charged With the vaccination.
Dr.. Babcook related to the board tho
history of the spread of The disease 10
Birmingham. Ala saying that the
Alabama State lag did cot permit com
prlsor; vsccin alton. aud as result the
local authorities we're uoab!c to stsmp
out the disease. except at great cost
The genera! experience vas that the
col9rea people oased to be vaco:ua:ed,
aud avoid.d it 10 every way possible.
He said they we're dealing with the
sane disease in Colu N bis. Thugs bad
reached that stage where it vas time to
call spade spade, aud he thought
compulsory vaccination should be essab.
lishsd at once. He suggested shat
.be board Dot only do this, but thar
they get map of tie city, keep j. Oh
Gle in the clerks cfice. assd taat all dao-
garspots. wherever case breaks cut aud
the exact location be marked oo the
map TIE members of the committee
from couocil presented ,beis views Of
the situation to the board. very much
The same as as the ccuDcil meeting last
oight
There vas considerable discussion as
to the formulation of general plan OF
operation aud the cost thereof, which
led up to the coanimous adop:ioo OF
she fellowing resolutions offered by Dr..
Babcock
Resolved. 6rs, Tba. in be opinion
of the board mild form of amallpox
prevails 10 this commuaity. but that
there is aotbing alarming 10 the sitaa-
tion
Resolved, second That 10 order to
prevent fursbes spread of the contagion
tha. compulsory vaocluation be en.
forced in Columbia.
Resolved. That cpon coDvalescenoe
Of all iofec;ious cases reported TO this
board The premises occupied BY such
cases be disiofecsed under the direction
Of this board
ANOTHER RESOLUTION
The following offered by Mr.. Mailer
Was aleo sdopted:
Resolved, Tba: the city council he
requested to 90 operate wi:h this board
aud au,hor:z, With this board TO make
sub srraugeusnts and contracts with
physicians aud others and to mek5
purchases of material aud appliances
as laey may dem necessary 10 stamp
lag ou. ehe contagious disease now pre-
ya;l,og 10 this city aud that the ccun
c,l he qaested to faraiah al necessary
funds therefor