Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-28
ONLY one MORE CASE
A Colored BOY Taken to the Smallpox
Hospital,
Health Officer Woodward Makes SEINE
Pertinent SuGgestiOns--The Case
of James Chapman.

Up to a late hour this afternoon but one
case of smallpox was reported to the health
officer today. The patient, Jerome Fergu-
son. colored, ten years of age. was discoy-
cred at 307 G street southwest. an infected
house. from which several other cases have
recently been removed to the hospital. The
afflicted boy was at once taken to the hos
pital, making thirty patients now there.
DR.. Woodward suggested SEINE time ago
to the local steam laundries that in view
of the numerous cases of smallpox in Alex
andria, it would be wise and just to their
local patrons to refuse to receive clothes
to be cleaned from that town. DR. Wood
ward believes that with single exception,
his suggestion has been followed. He
stated today. however, that he had discov-
cred that laundry which he had been pa
tronizing was receiving soiled clothes from
Alexandria, and he promptly discontinued
ms patronage of it.
There are said to be about 200 cases of
smallpox in Alexandria at the present time
which ratio of cases il followed here would
mean about 1880 cases in the District,
whereas there are but thirty. DIR. Wood
ward also believes that people here should
be very careful to see that their washing
is done by people who have not and viii
not be apt to come in contact with infected
persons or premises.
Vaccination of school Children.
The Commissioners were requested today
by a citizen whose child is attending one of
the District public schools to rescind in
the case of his child, their order that all
school children must show that they have
been vaccinated or otherwise protected The
father Of the child stated that he does not
believe in vaccination. and also stated that
the child has been protected by a physi-
clan. The Commissioners, however, deeid
ed to make no exceptions in the matter,
feeling that the law does not warrant them
in doing anything but to see that il is
forced. The child must, therefore. either
be Vaccinated or leave the school.
James Chapman's Case.
According to statements made to DR.. VIM
G. Woodward. the District health officer
James Chapman, the colored man who was
taken to the hospital yesterday suffering
from smallpox. worked in lunch room at
925 B street. and it is reported to Dr. Wood
ward that the man slept there last Saturday
and Sunday nights. Chapman had been
staying at TIC list street southwest, and il
was from this house he was removed TO the
hospital yesterday, after being taken there
from the place on street.
When he was removed to the house yes
terday morning there was no indication
mat he was afflicted, but later IN the DAY,
when he was examined by an expert, it was
discovered that he was suffering from the
disease, and he then admitted that he had
been feeling badly for severa. days. Upon
learning these facts DR.. Woodward di-
rected that the premises at 925 b street be
thoroughly dis:nfected, and every precau-
ton taken there. He is of the opinion that
there is little danger of infection from the
case. but it is likely that the premises will
be kept closed for some time.
Quarantine Houses.
1t is the intention of DIR. Woodward TO
lease several houses in the neighborhood
of the smallpox hospital for the purpose
of placing in quarantine persons who may
be found in infected houses. In this way
much expense now incurred in quarantining
houses, it is believed can be avoided, and
at the same time the danger of injecting
others can be materially reduced. AS 1t Is
: now, guards are placed about infected
houses and this is not always desirable.