The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-01-05
DIVIDED IN
THEIR OPINIONS.
Several Columbia Physi-
clans Say That
NO DUURr SMALLPOX EXISTS.
Dra. shoddan aud Kag~daie say That
the Prevailing MdIahy /, not Smallpox.
But ChickrnpOx.
NO DUURT SMALLPOX EXISTS.
From Saturdays DAILY HERALD.

rom saturdays DAILY HERALD.1
III medical fraternity is still divided
in their opinions as to whether the dis
ease now prevailing in Columbia is
smallpox or not. Doctors Harrison.
Williamson, Wilkes, Pillow, Pa lgett
and Forgey are of the opinion that it is
smallpox, while Doctors Sheddan and
Ragsdale say it is not.
Yesterday the above named physi-
clans visited several isolated eases on
College Hill, East Hill and in Mace
donia, which had been previously
diagnosed by ity Health Officer For
gey and County Health Officer VOORHEES,,
and pronounced by chem as beng small
p0X.
This visit was made for the purpose of
investigating the cases and reaching an
agreement, if possible, as to the nature
of the disease. Doctors Harrison, Will
hanson, Wilkes. Pillow, Padgett and
Forgey were united in their opinion that
the disease Was undoubtedly smallpox.
DR., Padgett, in conversation with
HERALD reporter this morning, stated
that all the symptoms of the patients
they visited went to prove this fact,
although the disease was of a very mild
type DIR Padgett stated, however,
that the mildness of the disease does not
prevent it's contagion and it is possible
for / person to catch very dangerous
case from a mild one. He did not APP
prelend that the disease would become
preralent-amoGg the white people, as
more precautions are taken by them in
the way Of vaccination, etc, than by
the negroes, and the negro is more
susceptible to the disease than the white
man. he City Health Officer had
stated that of all the cases that had been
reported to him, not single one had
been previously yaccinat9d. The
malady should not be tampered with,
however, and it is well for the white
people to take every precaution possible
against its spread, as it is possible for it
to be communicated in many unsuspect-
edways For instance it may be car
riea in clothes from a negro family
where the disease exists, to white
family.
DR.. Padgett stated that smallpox was
not only prevalent in Tennessee, but
also in Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and in other places, and has
been for several years
The HERALD reporter attempted to
secure an interview with ity Health
Officer Forgey, but could not catch
him in his office.
4 Contrary View,
A HERALD representative called also
at Dr.. Sheddan's Office for the purpose of
interviewing him on the subject. The
Doctor declined to talk for publication,
but as he and DIR. Ragsdale were talking
to other gentlemen present, the HERALD
man just stood by and listened
Both Doctors Sheddan and Ragsdale
are positive in their opinions that the
disease is not smallpox. SO positive is
Doctor Sheddan that he visited the pa
tients yesterday in the clothes he usu-
ally wears, and without any change
went home into the midst of his family,
showing his positive faith by his acts.
He gives some very strong and forceful
reasons for the faith that is in him
Among others the absence, in some
cases, of the never failing smallpox
symptom of backache, the normal con
dition of the skin between the pustules,
and last, but not least, the exceeding
miIdness OF the type. 'It is not small
pox,' he asserted "but if it is" he
continued, ''it does'nv seem to hurt
anybody, and is not nearly 50 dangC )us
al the measles the children are now hav-
ing; for measles has killed two children
IN Columbia to my cert, il knowledge
IN the last four months, while not only
in this county but not even in the state
has a death occurred from smallpox
this year" "If we are going to quar-
antine, let's quarantine against the
Measles he said, "for it sometimes
does kill. while this nd of smallpox
never does" He said that he and DIR.
Ragsdale had both seen four patients
suffering more from vaccine arms, than
any of the sick he saw yesterday.
Dr. Sheddan said he would not change
his opinion to be with the majority, be-
cause they could not or would not
Give GOOD and sufficient reasons for their
5iaonosis. He said he was willing to
meet the medical fraternity of this town
and county and discuss it in private with
tbem or he was ready and willing TO dis
c,1ss II in public at the court house or
onera house. with any man the other
Side MIGHT select, or any man who chose
IN take up the discussion on hlS own
hook The question had reached a
,,,;n+ he said. where be thought the
,eacp of mind OF the citizens and the
bnsiress interest of the community dc
naDGed that it be openly amt fairly ana
Tsua.siouqtciv discussed ami reasons
,fren. not opinions merely, and ne
1ouBl meet the chosen rcWesrn tatiFe oI
a. slnaIIrox side of the question amy.
tbsrp any time, the sooner the tm' dhl
,,are public the place tine better.
one rf his auditors promised MN =
fan hnusrif his challenge was a-tN .tl''
Nil I'd be accepted