Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-02-16
SITUATION lMPR0v
Hoped That Worst Of Smallpox
Is Now Over.
Hospital Not Yet Ready, but Workmen
are Rushing Repairs.
Hiesias Is settsr-Al The Churches will
Close, en Sunday.

The smallpox situation was OeclOeuiy
hopeful. Wednesday, A new case mas
not been reported to the board since
Tuesday. There were several COM
plants made to the board. Wednesday,
DIR. l.. G. Bunker thoroughly investi-
gated the cases, but when he had COM
pleted his work he found that there
was nothing new for him to report to
the board when the meeting was held.
at s O'Clock at the Office of DIR. F. G.
Thayer.
The work of moving the patients to
the smallpox hospital has not yet COM
menced. DR.. Bunker said that II was
doubtful if the patients would be
moved before the very last part Of the
week. There are still great many
things to be done at the building to
which the inmates of the city farm are
to be moved.
When the wOrkfnen went to the hos
pital they found the plumbing in poor
condition. The cold weather had frozen
many of the pipes and in addition to
this the sewer pipe was not in con-
dition to be used. Workmen were put
at work but on account OF the way In
which the plumbers are rushed. there
Is some difficulty in securing enough
men.
In addition to this II is not consider
ed safe 10 move the inmates until the
heat has been turned on for at least -
hours. AS soon as that building is
ready the inmates of the city farm will
be moved to the building and the
smallpox patients will be moved to the
building to be used as hospital
The board of health held its regular
meeting. at r. NJ, Wednesday. but no
vote was taken. In fact so thoroughly
has the board provided for the care of
the patients that there is nothing more
to be done until something unusual
turns up. Several matters We're talked
over and the situation was discussed.
DR.. Bunker made the report of the
work he had done.
Both DIR. Bunker and DR. Thayer
stated, last evening. that the situation
seemed more hopeful. Everything is
now well in hand so that it is thought
the worst is over.
There is but slight possibility that
the churches will hold services. Sun
day. Several of clergymen who have
been seen have expressed their inten
iltii W toIuBiS MIN tut NtSHNS vi hh'
board of health. Rev. FIR. Charland
has expressed his determination to fol-
low the wishes of the board in the mat
ter.
Higgins, who, Sunday. was thought
| could-n live but a short time, was re-
| ported. yesterday, as being in fair
way to recover. The worst seems to
be over. AS his was considered the
worst case in the city it is felt that
| there will be no fatalities as the result
| of the epidemic.
The quarantine on the house of Ly-
| man Shaw on Main street was raised.
| yesterday morning. Miss Shaw. who
was sick. Monday, from vaccination
was so much improved. yesterday
morning. that what was at first ex-
| pected. that the sickness was caused
| by her vaccination. was confirmed.
| At the meeting of L'Union Lafayette.
| held last evening. the society passed
resolutions signifying that the mem.
bers will do every thing in their power
to assist the board Of health in its
work. Many of the people who are
| stricken with the epidemic are men,
bers of the union. For that reason the
society thinks that it can assist and is
willing to do anything possible.