Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-03
IT is SMALL P0X.
The Epidemic at Watervi|Ie
Is So Pronounced.
Several Cases in the City and Sew
eral Over in WinsIow.
As Pfecaution Against Spread General vacci.
nation to Be Made.

Waterville, Me-, Feb. 2.-(SpeciaD.-
The board of health as precautionary
measure against the small pox which
now exists in this city, has made ar
rangements for a general vaccination
of the people in the city.
AS soon as it became unsettled in the
minds of some of the physicians
whether or not the cases of supposed
chicken poX We're small pox, DR..
Charles d. Smith of Portland presi-
dent of the State Board of Health, was
asked to come to this city and make
an examination. He arrived in town,
Wednesday. and made a thorough ex-
animation. When he left town,
Wednesday night, he was not willing
to say positively that there was small
poX in the city.
At his request, DIR. A. G.. Young of
Augusta, secretary of the State Board
of health. came To this city. Thursday.
and another thorough examination was
made. DIR. Young went to WinSlow,
where there We're thought to be cases
and there also made a most thorough
examination.
At the conclusion OF DIR. Young's in
vestigation a conference was held in
the office of Dr.. l.. G. Bunker. secretary
OF the local board Of health, at which
nearly all the physicians We're present.
The physicians talked the matter over
very carefully, being in session for
over an hour.
At the close of the conference. DIR.
Bunker made the authorized statement
that there is small pox in the city.
probably three cases. Further than
this DIR. Bunker said that general
vaccination had been ordered. The
houses where the patients are confined
have been placed under quarantine.
During the course of the talk with
one of the local physicians. last night.
it was stated that the board of health
is not taking these steps because dan
ger is feared but as a precautionary
measure. There is some doubt in the
minds of some of the physicians as to
whether or not there is actually small
pox in the city.
Dr. c. W. Abbott. who was seen. last
night. stated that he had a great many
chicken pox patients in his practice.
When asked what the physicians had
done at the meeting, he stated that the
board of health was of the opinion thar
there is smallpox in the city. When asked
what was his opinion, he stated he
thought the cases to be chicken pox.
DR.. Young, when asked how many cases
he had seen in his travels, yesterday,
said he could not tell. He had seen more
than he wanted to.
Several of the physicians have expressed
the opinion that there is no cause for a
general alarm. The board of health is
doing everything in its power to prevent
the spread of the disease, and with the
precautionary measures taken there
seems to be no reason why the disease
should spread.
During the evening. the Winslow Board
of Health held a conference in the office
of DR.. A. f. Bessey and there talked over
the matter of general vaccination with
Secretary Young.
Dr. +. c. Thayer stated. yesterday.
that there was no question in his mind
but what there is smallpox, although in
a mild form.
AT the close of the conference in DR..
Bessey's office, it was announced that
Winslow would be ready to vaccinate its
people as soon as WaterviMe. The board
will offer free vaccination. There are four
patients sick in that town with smallpox