The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-14
BEDF0RD'S EPIDEMIC.
oacer OF State B0Ard Of Health Reports
Eany Cases Of Smallpox.
cIIIzEEs DIZZY THz srATExEST

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Eany Cases CT smallpox.
cITIzEEs DIZZY THz STATEMENT
Bedford is greatly stirred up BIZ th'
statements that have been given out thai
the whole town was afflicted with small.
pox and hat the residents were quaran-
tined and barricaded. The 200 cases re-
ported have dwindied down 20 seven, two
In the borou gh and five outside within a
radius Of ten miles. These seven cases are
conceded to be smallpox in a very mild
form, though no alarm has been felt by
the citizens. the patients being entirely
under control and not permitted TO min
1 gle with other members of the family.
At town meeting Friday afternoon a
committee was appointed composed of
the town council. board Of health and
three prominent citizens, with John ~.
Reynolds a. chairnan. and the following
resolution was adopted:
The people Of this town have been
greatly startled by unfoundcd reports
concerning the prevalence here of small
pox. No greater wrong to any commun-
iiy can be imsgined than that purpetrat-
ed in lhis instance. and deep indignation
prevails among the people. who collected
ia an Informal meeting this afternoon and
severely denounced the statements per-
porting 70 come from DIR. Atkinson.
There are two cases in this town aud sew
en- o. tside, five families in all being az
fiicted, and these being entirely under
care and control. DIR. Atkinson did not
see more than the i've families stated.
and to say that IS0 patients were under
his eyes is entirely false.
There is not the least alarm or ap-
prehension felt among the people, and
they are simply dszed at the publicity
given to these fAlsehoods. That some
cases Of peculiar skin affection have
existed in different parts of the county
may be admitted, but they are no: small
pox, and the town has not been guarded
or quarautined as was published"
DIR. Atkinson, when seen Friday even
ing at his home in Philadelphia, discuss
ed freely the epidemic of smallpox at
Bedford. There are,' he said. '-over 100
cases Of small pox in all stages in this
pretty little town. was sent to visit this
region at the request of DIR. Lee, of the
Board of Health, and TO submit to him a
report AS 10 existing conditions. During
my practice I have had great deal TO do
with smallpox, both in an.ofIicial and a
professional capacity. so this IS not the
first time have been sent to reporton an
epidemic. All day Wednesday, that
night and The greater part of to-day |
have been in that town not only visiting
cases, but in consultation with local ply
sicisns and members of the Board Of
Health. To say the least, most remark
able state Of affairs exists. Patients in all
stages of the disease are there, and being
in constant communication with those
who arc in sound health. There has been
no attempt to quarantine the sick, and, as
a result, the disease is spreading rapidly
throughout the country.
"For instance I saw a boy with we'll
defined marks on his arm, who said shat
he was going to work regularly and ex-
pected TO 90 out Of the house as usual to-
morrow. Then again, a man IN a dsi ger
Ous condition len the town for his home
in Virginia, where he viii doubtless
spread the disease.
"Before a meeting Of the local Board Of
Health l recommended in the strongest
way that the proper precautions be taken
at once 20 prevent a general spread Of the
disease. Another remarkable feature of
a. = 49, IL
who have ever been vaccinated. The doc
tors there pronounced this evident small
pox chicken pox' and contagious skin
disease, aud did not make any attempt to
vaccinate. Even among those not vac
cinated the disease has manifested itself
only in mild form. However, believe
that the doctors will now take hold OF the
disease. aud they will be hacked up by
the Board Of Health. which passed at my
instance an ordinance instituting the most
rigid quarantine"
PHILADELPHIA Dec. I2-Dr. Benjs
min Lee. seeretlry of the state board Of
health, who returned tonight from visit
20 the town of Bedford, where he went to
investigate the reports of smallpox, dis
covered that there are a number Of cases
of the disease in the town and vicinity,
but that it is Of light form, and that
with strict care and the Observance OF
proper precautions, may be controlled,
and further spreading prevented Soon
amer his return he sent the following
telegram to Surgeon General Walter
wyman of the United States Marine
hospital at Washington
Smallpox status in Bedford and sub
urbs, within one and one half miles, Dec
IL, % cases, Of which II are within the
borough limits and eight outside. Houses
infected, 10, OF which seven are within
the borough limits and three outside. or
the above cases eight variola, of which
two are within the borough limits, and
six outside. and y varioloid. of whicb 10
are wifhing the limits. and two outside.
Also in Bedford county, within eight
miles of the borough, i've eases ofyariola
in two houses. Authorities active. All
taken.n