The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-02-23
Smallpox in Columbia.

Smallpox in Columbia.
Discovered Sunday Afternoon
IN Negro Settlement---Doc-
tors Once Don't Disagree.
The State, Feb. 81.
At last we'll defined case of what is
supposed to be smallpox has appeared
10 Columbia. and in accordance With
;be freqpen: promises made 10
The State, this paper now gives the
public all that is known about it and
all that the bard Of health is doing to
guard agaicss the spread Of the pess.
Every precaasion has, is beieg aud will
be taken to prevent e spread. If the
case turns out to be genuine smallpox,
aud the physicians who have dag
nosed it say that i; is. the only feature
that is at all threatening is thas it vas
found in sss;lemeo, of negroes. Be-
fore many read this the patient will be
Oh bis way out into the sand hills with
physician to watch over aud guard
hin through his illoess. He is to be
taken six miles away feom town.
fortunately the majority of those who
have bseo about the victim have been
vaccinated
It vas about 5 o'clock yesterday af-
ternoon that Dr.. Kuowlton received a
call to come to No. s in Spring Park.
BY which from the cluster of some 25
negro houses running back on the out
skirts of the city from EImwood ave-
nue. at the foot of Bull street, is known.
He was told that he vas wanted to sec
negro who had been sick for period
Of nine days in that house. It vas not
until be went in that he had any idea
Of the discovery he vas to make. DR..
Knowlton no sooner looked at the man,
Who is about 48 years Of age, than he
diagnosed the case to be one of small
pox He says tina. it is what be coo-
siders typical case of this disease.
though 'there may be shadow Of q
doubt about it being smallpox" He
found quite number of negros
around. These he drove away
and had the patiees moved into
an inner rooom. quarantining him as
much as possible until he could report
the case TO the board of health. The
doc'or was so busy attending to these
details and seeking information as to
the circumstances of the illness tha, he
entirely forgot to get the negro's name.
He says the negro was an ugly
sight. When be came back down
street he sent Dr.. r. W. Globes
up to take look at the fel.
low. DR.. Gibbes at once confirmed
DR.. Knowlton's diagnosis. The negro
first told the doctors that he had been
sacciuated two years ago; then he told
them that his young NAUSEA had vaeci-
mated him during the war. 1t vas not
known where he came from.
DR.. Knowlsoo, upon having his dag.
nosis confirmed, at once called up the
chairman of the board of health. That
officer vas out of the city. He there
upon notified Mayor Sloan Of the eus-
pected case. In short time DR. A.
B Boozer, the acting cha,rmsu of the
city board of health aud Secretary T.
7. Talley we're aware of the matter.
Several police officers we're at ouce de-
tailed to go out and quarantine the en-
tire settlement. allowing 40 one to
either go iD or come OCT.
10 the meantime the board and
Mayor Sloan acted quickly aud we'll.
Dr.. Sylvester, who has bad smallpox
himself and has treated many cases,
was engaged to take charge Of the case.
A tract Of land six miles from the city,
of from the Camden road. belonging TO
Mr.. Dent. was secured and Adjutans
General Waits agreed TO furnish army
hospital tents. By 9 o'clock all ar
raogements for taking the patient OUT Of
the city early this morDig we're com
pleted. II Dr. Sylvester pronouoces
the case genuine smallpox thl, morning,
the board will likely quarantine the en-
tire Spring Park set.lsmen: and issue
compulsory vaccination mandate.
Fortunately the bulk of the people OF
the city have already been vaccinated,
and it is not considered likely that there
will be any spreading Of the disease.