The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-18
EPIDEMIC UNDER CONTROL
Smallpox in Sumter County Virtu.
ally Ended.

Dr.. James Evans, secretary of the State
Board of health. was here yesterday with
reference to the passage Of the joint resolu-
ton to appropriate $4,000 as an emergency
fund to be used in suppressiog the smallpox
epidemic ia Sumter county. Tho house
passed the resolution and the senate will like
II do so next week when it reconvenes. Dr..
Evans also wished to secure authority to burn
infected houses, clothing and other articles.
DIR. Evans was assured by the governor that
be had the authority to take this step, which
ia very necessary one to prevent the further
spread of the disease at this time, as we'll as
its breaking out in the future, as 1t is very
easily contracted from germs in infected
clothing and buildings.
The situation Dr.. Evans Dow regards as
under control, as every one who has not bad
cases are likely to be developed. The in-
fected district comprises region near Mayes.
vile, about l3 by four miles in extent. Oh
both sides of the Black river. The.country
is very thickly settled, chiefly by negroes.
There are now shout As cases, which are
being visited by Dr.. Peter Bscot, who is in
charge and is assisted by E. I. Reardon, the
health officer of Sumter. Dr.. Bacot was in
charge of the epidemic at Pelham last year,
which threatened at enc time to become so
serious. How many cases there have been
cannot be told, as the disease was not report
ed to the board of health for quite while
after it broke out, and The negroes did aot
realize its serious nature.
Dr. Evans says that whole families have
been SICK with the smallpox: and in one
house he found six cases. At another house
where he went the door was opened by q
negro woman who had the disease and in-
side was being conducted q quilting party,
many of the atteodants on which had the
smallpox but did not seem to be at all alarm
ed about it. The negroes, after their Grst
sickuess, did 20, mind the disease and went
arouad with the "lumps," as they called the
errption. Those who have recovered are
plainly 'spit.ed, and there is not the least
doubt of the gepuipeuess Of the smallpox,
although its form, is mild aud no desths
have been reported, but some of the cases
have been of more malignan. type than the
majority The people have been vaccinated
slmost entirely and the epidemic is under
control.
The appropriation given the State board OF
health last year was $4,000, and this was
exhausted before the year was hardly bali
gone, the increased expense being caused by
the smallpox at Pelham, Sumter, Orange.
burg, Beeufort, Salnda and other places
where the board took charge or rendered
help. There is DOW debt Of $500 resting
on the board for expense incurred chiefly in
the Samser epidemic, and bills are now due
for vaccine points. Gov. Eileeoe assured
DR.. Evans that the money to neet these bills
would be provided esen if the governor
should have to give his personal note for the
amount.
The State Of Ohio has just passed through
sSsimilar experience, and the secretary of the
health board of that State has written Dr..
Evans in regard to the matter. In view of
the lessons learned by events of the past year,
it is probable. that should another epidemic
break out in South Carolina it would be- more
promptly aud successfully dealt with by the
health au,horitie.-The State, Jan. IS.