The evening times., 1899-02-06
TWO MORE CASES
OF SMALLPOX
First White Person Taken to
the Hospital.
James Curtin a Southern Railway
Engineer Stricken.
Disease Relieved to Have Been Con-
tracted in AIexandria-A Con-
NaIescent Found.

Two more cases of smallpox were re-
ported to the local Health Office this af-
ternoon, total of eight persons now suf-
fering with the disease.
One of the new cases, that of Hugh
Haney, colored, was in the stage of con-
valescence. The other case was a more Sc
we're form of the malady, and is the hrst
white person who has been reported as
having. the disease during the present epi-
demic.
The latest victim is James Curtin, who
lives at No. 623 Maryland Avenue south
west Curtin is employed as an engineer
on the Southern Railroad. His companion,
the fireman, on the engine resides in
Alexandria, and the engineer himself
passes through that place almost daily on
his train. He also draws his pay IN Alex
andria. No doubt exists in the mind OF
the health authorities that the disease was
contracted in that place.
1t may be that the germs OF the disease
lodged in the clothing Of the fireman and
were introduced into the system of Curtin
in that manner. On the other hand there
is the possibility of Curtin having come
in contact with some one in Alexandria
who was suffering with the disease. AT
Health Officer believes he can trace the
malady. in his case to Alexandria, where
smallpox is now rampant. Curtin has been
removed 10 the smallpox hospital and the
house in which he lived has been quaran-
tined and disinfected
The case of Haney the first person re-
ported as having the disease today, is a
peculiar one. He is a convalescent, but
had been suffering with smallpox about
four weeks without the existence of the
/ disease being known. Haney lived at the
] Hill home al 2106 Eleventh Street north
west, where three new cases were found
yesterday. The discovery that Haney has
the disease serves to show that Esau Hill
his wife. and baby caught smallpox from
him.
DR.. Woodward said today, speaking oi
! the mildness of most of the cases:
The ugliest feature of the prevalence o.
/ the disease at present is the fact that The
cases are mostly mild. If the types were
more severe they would be brought TO the
attention of the medical fraternity and tbs
health office more quickly AS many cases
are mild forms instances frequently oc-
cur in which the victim is not discovered
! until he has been a sufferer for several
weeks and after he has come in contact
/ with other persons. In this way the dis,
J ease spreads"
/ Inc attaches OF the Health Office are
working day and night watching the case.
which they have under observation. Ever
pTecaution has 10 be taken to prevent the
| spread of the infection. Should ii get
firm hold on the city il would be impossi-
bic 10 stamp il out without a great deal o.
effort The health authorities realize thi.
! fact and are therefore maintaining a rigiC
quarantine over all suspects and around
infected houses, from which victims hav,
been removed. Notwithstanding the grsv.
ity of the situation the health officer say!
that no alarm need be felt at the presen
| time.
There are now eight victims at the Iso
! lating Hospital. Ii has been feared il
some quarters that the hospital will sool
be overtaXed and too small to accommo
date all who are sent there. Such is no
the case. The hospital provides accommo
dations for from thirty 10 forty patient
without any possibility Of crowding an,
the old smallpox hospital, which is bein,
fitted up as a quarantine station, is larg
enough to shelter thirty additional cases
The Health Department can very handil,
care for almost a hundred persons.
] The quarantine station. which is beini
established back of the almshouse reserva
tion. is to be used 10 shelter the physi
clans and men who attend the cases AM
disinfect premises The smallpox van vii
! also be stationed at this station, and emer
| gency cases will be taken there also.