Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-17
CADETS FURLOUCHED,
Epidemic Of Typhoid at Virginia
military Institute
ELEVEN CASES OF THE DISEASE
The Cause OF The Outbreak Is (
Mystery.
SANITARY CONDITIONS ARE GOOD.
As Result of n Consultation, and Out
OF Abundant Caution, All Duties
Suspended for Thirty Days-An Ex.
pert Employed.
SANITARY CONDITIONS ARE GOOD.

LEXINGTON. VA, October 16.-(spe-
ciai)-There are eleven cases OF typhoid-
fever at the Virginia Military Institute.
Tho first case went 10 tho hospital. Sep
TENDER 9th, was pronounced mild. and ia
now convalescent. IL is the opinion OF
tho medical authorities that this patient
brought the germs OF the disease with
him. on October the eth there were two
additional cases; on October 9Th three
more The State Board of Health was az
once notified, and the president, DR.. RAJ
leigh W. Martin, Of Lynchburg, and tho
secretary, DIR. Paulus A. Irving, OF Rich
mond, arrived on the night OF October
10th. They made an Inspection OF tho
premises, and took specimens for exami-
nation Of the milk and water used, and
have not yet located the cause. On Fri
day tho surgeon reported the conditions
encouraging, but the occurrence OF addi-
tional cases on Saturday led him to sug-
gest to the Superintendent late Saturday
night to furlough all the cadets for thirty
days. The president OF tile Board Of
the president Of the Board of Health were
at once summoned. and az a result OF a
consultation held in tho superintendent
Office Sunday night, an order was pub
lished early this morning. saying that out
OF abundant precaution for the health OF
the cadets. all cadets were frrloughed for
thirty days. and would at once repair 10
their homes.
At the opening OF the session the sanl-
tary conditions Of the institute seemed
perfect. The barracks had been fumi-
gated and disinfected during the month
Of July. The rooms had been ilme-wash-
ed, and all paint and woodwork thorough
ly secured. At all times the sinks and
drains are carefully looked after and dis
infectants are constantly used. In the
face of all this, the outbreak is most sur
prising and inexpicable.
AN EXPERT SUMMONED.
The highest expert authority has been
summoned from northern city, and no
effort has been or will be spared TO ascer-
tain and remove the cause OF the disease.
In the hospital. three expert Johns Hop
kins Hospital nurses are employed, and
parents who are present are satisfied
that the patients have the best medical
attention and nursing In the history OF
tho school there has never before been
an outbreak OF any disease except mea-
sizes or influenza and yet the sanitary
conditions previous TO the present out
break were regarded as far superior to
those existing in the past.
The superintendent, General Shipp
opened the consultation held in his office
Sunday night by stating that the sole
question for deliberation was whether
there were reasonable grounds TO appre-
bend that the health OF one cadet would
be rsked by keeping the cadets here.
and that all other conditions were Sc
condary.
The cadets III are: First class-B j.
Epes Of Nottoway, Va. Second class
X. g. Lemoine, OF Emmerton. Va; c. A.
Elicit. Of Wilmington. Va; 5. G. Mott. OF
New Orleans; John Blunt. OF Richmond.
Third class-F. c. Mcconnell, OF Mobile,
Ala; III. l.. Floweree. OF Vicksburg.
Miss; A. A. Adams, OF Lynchburg; NJ.
y. Marshall, OF Portsmouth. Fourth
class-J. Montgomery and j. l.. Philips.
both of Texas. Blunt and Marshall have
been taken home Iemone is dangerous
~ Al. and with one other exception all
tho other cases have been pronounced
mild
GREATLY LAMENTED
The epidemic at the institute Is greatly
lamented by the citizens OF Lexington.
The health Of the town Is excellent, and,
as before stated, the physicians say there
is less typhoid-feyer I'm Lexington than
ever known before. The following Is tho
general order published this morning be-
fore the cadet corps:
Owing TO the presence OF an infectious
disease. which prevails 10 a limited ex.
tent. the causes OF which nave not yer
Non asoartained and out OF abundant
caution for the health OF cadets. duties
are suspended for thirty days: and leave
~ absence during that period Is hereby
granted al cadets. who VIII forthwith
Tep9ir 10 their several homes, and upon
Inc expiration Of this leave VIII return
and report for duty.
Rv command OF Brigadier-General
Shipp. ~: ~. ~ ,i,,,
captain and Adjutant. Virginia Military