Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-04
VAUDEVILLE.
VACCINATION
Is Now the Order Of the Day
at Watervillc.
No New Small Pox Cases but the
People Are Anxious.
Ono New Case Reported in WinsIow Further
Spread Not Expected.

VINO Is To do the vaccilIating of the
SCHOOL children and the other people in
the city, is a question which agitatcd
the local physicians, yesterday. The
board of health held u I,leeting in the
morning and voted that the city ply
sicians should do the vaccinat!ng. Many
of the people are DESTROYS that their
family physicians should do the work.
Dr. Abbott in speaking of the matter,
Thursday evening. said that in his
opinion the physicians should do the
points have been ordered by the local
druggists in order that the demand
may be met.
There was a genuine scare on the
street, yesterday. And all sorts of ru-
mors were afioat. One of the rumors
WAS that the mills were to shut down
and another was that the schools were
To be closed. There were any quantity
of rumors equally absurd OH the street.
There is not the slightest question That
the greater part of the people have the
worst kind of needless scare. While
there is small pox in the city. according
to the members of the State Board OF
Health, there is but little danger that
1t Will spread so as to be epidemic.
DR.. Bunker. yesterday morning, when
asked about the rumor that the mills
and schools were to be closed. SAID
there was not the slightest foundation
for the report. In fact the Board of
Health had thought so little about the
matter that the idea had never been
even mentioned at any of the meetings.
AS far as he knew the idea had never
entered the heads of any of the mem
bers.
Every possible precaution is being
taken by the Board Of Health to pre-
vent the disease spreading. Every
house were it is thought there may be
Il case Of small poX has been quaran-
tined. The vaccination has been or
uercd. not because the Board of Health
believes that there is danger that the
disease will spread, but as u precau-
tionary measure.
The rumor was on the street, yester-
day morning that DIR. Bcssey had re-
ported that there were 40 new cases I'M
der his observation. DR.. Besscy when
seen said II do not know Of single
new case in the city
DIR. +. c. Thayer. one of the most
conservative and ut the same time one
OF the most progressive physicians IN
the city. said, yesterday. that while
there was unquestionabiy small pox in
the city there is not the slishtes, cause
for the general alarm among the peo-
pie.
The manner in which the news that
there was small poX in the city was
brought before the attention OF the peo-
pie is unusual TO say the very least
Several weeks ago Charles Butler. one
of the letter carriers who has n route
on the Plains. noticed that in one fam
lily there was the most extreme destitu-
ton.
He made Investigations among the
ncighbors and then came tn the con-
clusion that the family had the small
poN. So general was the fright among
some of the people that they would not
go near the house and the family was
allowed to suffer.
Mr.. BuHs became father incensed
and said he would push the matter to
such an extent that an investigation
would be made. He even went further
and said that he would have an investi-
cation. even if he had to call in the
State Board of Health. The latter step
was not necessary, however. as DR.. L.
G. Bunker in his prompt and energetic
manner. at once made an investigation.
1t was then learned that there was a
case of chicken pox and not small poX
as was reported.
Among the other arrangements made
by the board of health to prevent the dis
ease spreading. is an order to the people
in the mills and the scholars in the
schools. that. as soon us II Is known thaJ
a person has been exposed 10 the disease.
that person is to be at once sent home.
DR.. Bunker, the secretary of the board
of health. said. last night. that 1t could
not be told whether or not the disease
would spread. As yet the board is posi-
tive of but two cases in this city. There
is a possibility that The one at the Plains
may be small pox. but it is yet too early
to say. He said that even If it should
spread, the disease would be in only
mild form. on account of the vaccination.
which will be commenced at once.
Ii was reported. last night. that there
was case in the upper part of the city.
The board of health could not learn tina,
there was any truth in the rumor.
During the latter part of the afternoon.
one of the local physicians reported to
the Winslov board of health that there
was one more case there. This is said to
be one of the worst cases.
The vaccine points are expected to ar
rive, today. Vaccination will then &c
given to those who wish it. the city do
ing the work. Ii was decided during the
afternoon that the work should no: be
done by the city physician but by the
family physician.
Nearly all the druggists in town have
ordered an extra supply of disinfcctants.
Rush orders have been given for vaccine
points. Through the prompt measures OF
the board of health it is not believed that
there will be anything approaching an
epidemic.
Albion Paris White of Hermon. Who