The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-28
NO CUBAN CHICKENPOX.
Army Surgeon Says Disease
Unknown In Cuba-Phy-
sicians' Opinions.

According to a medical officer of the
United States army. now in Topeka,
who has been stationed for the past
two years in Matanzas. Cuba, there is
no such disease as Cuban" chicken
pOx.
The officer is DR.. J. H. Stone, who ar
rived here Monday afternoon to be
present at the Leach murder trial in
the federal court. DR.. Stone attended
the sergeant who was beaten so fierce
ly with baseball bat in the hands of
Leach that he afterward died.
The disease now prevalent in Topeka
was named Cuban" chickenpOx by the
health authorities when it first made
its appearance here some time ago. The
name was thought to be appropriate
because it was believed the disease was
brought into Topeka by the soldiers
of the Twenty-third Kansas regiment
on their return from Santiago.
DR.. Stone states that he has never
heard of Cuban" chickenpOx. He says
that smallpox is prevalent in Cuba as
it is in all southern countries, and that
chickenpOx is seldom seen.
Smallpox in mild form is distribu-
ted over the United States generally a
this time. In other localities it is not
made to bear the name of Cuban"
chickenpOX.
In support of DR.. BradIey's opinion of
the disease, published in Monday
evenings Journal DR.. G. J. MuIvane
I have been fortunate in not hav-
ing any of the cases of the disease, but
from what I can learn of the symptoms
L believe it to be nothing less than a
mild type of smallpox
DR.. L. H. Mum said: 'I don't care
to express an opinion in the matter but
1 think it no more than right that peo-
pie should take the precaution of being
VaCcinated."
DR.. Eva Harding believes the dis
ease to be smallpox. DR.. Harding at
poX and has had considerable expert
ence among smallpox cases. She said
today:
4 have seen sew eraI of the cases of
the disease, and the pustules have been
identical with those of smallpox. The
odor that accompanies smallpox has
also been noticeable. believe the dis
ease to be a mild form of smallpox"
In connection with her opinion Dr.
Harding suggested that Topeka people
try the vinegar" cure which was DEM
onstrated to be a success in the recent
smallpox epidemic in AtchiSOn and
HillsbOro. The vinegar cure is the
idea of DR.. Charles Howe of Atchison
a brOther-in-law of DR.. Harding, and
consists of the administration of tea
spoonful of vinegar night and morning
DR. Harding states that it was proven
, positively to be a preventive in both
| the AtchisOn and HillsborO epidemics.
City Physician Peers offers to quar-
antine strictly any case of the disease
! that the attending physician believes
| TO be smallpox However. this offer is
not sufficient. If the disease is small
pox, DR.. Peers should establish a rigid
quarantine regardless of what the
| opinion Of the attending physician may
be.
A meeting of the city council has
been called tonight to discuss the ques-
! ton of quarantining the disease In
| this connection a we'll known Topeka
| doctor suggests that the council an
point a consulting committee of the
most experienced physicians of Topeka
| to visit and examine the different
cases now in the city. and pass upon
/ the disease
1t is probable that some step of this
| kind will be taken at the council meet
! ing tonight.
So far the disease has not spread to
| any extent among the school children
| and no great alarm seems to be felt
! among the parents of school children
There are not more than a dozen
! cases, think, among the school child
| rem" said Superintendent Davidson to-
! day I'VE have taken the precaution to
! have all cases reported at once to the
| city physician and all children sick
! with it or in families where the disease
/ is are Guaranteed. Out of more than 5. 900
! children I think there are not over a
| dozen 70