The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-24

DIR. Arthur Snowden. United States
quarantine officer at the port of A.exan-
dria. accompanied by DR.. Thomas Gibson,
visited the pesthouse there on Saturday.
and, after a careful examination Of the
patients. pronounced the disease smallpox.
Subsequently DR.. Snowden submitted The
following report TO Surgeon General Wy
man, of Washington:
To the Supervising Surgeon General, Marine Hos
ptal Service:
In compliance with your request for report
upon the prevalence OF smallpox in Alexandra,
| have the honor to state, through the courtesy OF
DIR. Miller, health officer for the city, that today
visited the pesthouse and there found eight pa
tients, four convalescents, two Of which were
varoloid; the Others were continent and badly
pitted, having had superficial assesses, the
naming four being in the pustular stage of the
disease.
In a house about fifty yards from the pesthouse
there is another which is continent.
| then visited, with Doctor Miller, two cases
reported suspicious, both of which we'll
marked smallpox, in the vascular stage, the
other pustular. third case reported, the health
officer informs me, is of measles.
The first suspect visited has two children who
have recovered from what is called chickenpox
These children are slightly pitted The mother
IL now suffering, above stated, with smallpox.
There arc two other suspicious cases, the dag
noses of which will be determined tomorrow, the
lapse OF time then being sufficient TO state posi-
lively the nature of the disease.
The fact that none of these cases has proved
malignant has tended in measure to spread the
malady, as many of these patients have either
been pursuing their daily avocation or have been
nursed by their friends not knowing the char
acter OF their ailment.
There is total OF thirteen reported cases, the
habitat of the patients being widely dispersed
throughout the city.
The health officer is greatly embarrassed by
lack OF funds, inasInuch as the city council up to
the present time has made no special apprcpria-
ton Tor the existing emergencies, but at the
councils next meeting, | understand, the mayor
VIII recommend an appropriation for house of
detention and for an enlargement OF hospital ia
ciliteS. The State law provides that the city
council can make an ordinance compelling vacci-
nation, but | am not quite sure that this power
has ever been exercised. Doctor Miller has sug-
gested house house inspection with com
pulsory vaccination, and deems it particularly
necessary among the colorcd race
II, as the mayor will recommend. house OF
detention he secured where cllickenpox or
other suspicious cases can be confined and strict
surveillance be maintained over those who have
been in contact with the infected, the pestilence
should be quickly and thoroughly eradicated.
Very respectfully,
ARTHUR sNoWBEN.
Sanitary Inspector, ". H. S.
Since the above report was made. Rose
West, living in OronocO Street. and Eliza
Thomas. at III North Henry Street, have
been reported as suffering with the con-
tagion. Last evening two additional cases
were reported. One is Alfred Lane, CO.
ored. 1904 Queen Street and the other Is
the little son of Benjamin Watkins. res.d-
ing at loo South Alfred Street.
The latter is the second white case re-
ported. Ruben Redd, colOTed. who was
held under suspicion for several days. was
yesterday placed in quarantine. There are
several other suspects.
Mayor Simpson will communicate with
the City Council today in regard to the con-
tagion. He viii recommend the appro-
priation of sufficient funds to secure
house of detention and TO enlarge the hos
pital facilities so as to provide for possible
emergencies. Every \2recaution is being
taken by the health department TO pre-
vent a spread of the disease, and it is
understood that all children attending the
public schools Will be required to be vac
cinated.
As heretofore stated. the disease is of a
mild type. and none of the persons affect
ed has been seriously ill.