Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-31
SENSIBLE HEALTH Authorities

From the Kansas City Star It Is
learned that a few smallpox cases ex-
list in that place. but what Is OF more
interest to Salt Lake City Is the fact
that the health authorities there are
doing all In their power to keep down
excitement and 10 fight the disease
with rational means. They do not pro-
claim a case Of chicken pox. or OF
varlolold, continent smallpox in order
TO find an excuse for compulsory whole
sale vaccination.
Dr. Coffin, city physician OF Kansas
City, in recent interview with star
representative said there was a great
deal OF needless alarm over the con-
taglon. Then he continued;
This Is not smallpox, as people used
20 know II, but Is "A mild form brought
about by several causes. The negroes
who are afflicted and now live at ST.
Georges hospital take the matter In
very good spirit for they realize them
selves that they are In little danger
Of losing their lives As one old negro
woman said: ! amt scared Dis amt
no smallpox, only de Cuban Itch While
this NAV not be true II must be re-
membered that what we now call small
pOX Is simply q remnant or modified
form of the disease and has none OF the
deadly features Of what was called
smallpox years ago"
The physician explained that there
had been about 200 cases in the city In
four months But the disease Is so
mild that those who are afflicted often
do not realize what is the matter with
them.
The doctor, OF course believes In vac
cination, but he points out that when
the disease has reached the pustuar
stage, vaccination does not prevent its
spread.
What the board OF health IL doing Is
also told by the Star. When case
OF smallpox Is heard Of guards are
sent out to surround the house and
then a physician is sent for to examine
the case. People thus qunrantned are
fed and cared for bv the city. when
patients are sent to the hospital their
bedding, mattresses. pillows, quilts and
blankets are taken with them and all
the furnishings Of the room are de-
stroyed by fire. Sulphur and formalde-
hyde Is used In fumigating the apart
ments and they are guaranteed from
eighteen to twenty-one days. The hos
pltal patients are not discharged until
they have been given bath in BIZ
chloride and then taken into fumlgat-
ed room and supplied with new cloth
Ing, paid for by the city
But Notwithstanding these precau-
lions and expenses. the health author-
ties do not hope TO eradicate the evil
until the beginning OF April. when
warm weather sets In.
The Kansas CITY health authorities
are particularly anxious to remove the
impression that there is danger OF an
epidemic. DR. Coffin says:
III is a mistake TO speak OF an epl-
demic OF SMALLPOX There Is no cpl
demlc, II is better and more truthful
TO say simply that smallpox prevails.
The proportion OF the disease to the
population Is very small and compares
more than fayorably with other cities
Of the west. The old time smallpox Il
practically eradlcated In this entire
country What we have now is a very
mild form Of the disease
We believe this can be said OF the few
cases that have appeared in this city,
There is no epidemic. and there is no
cause for a panic.