Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-04
IN EMERY COUNTY.
Facts In the Case Of DIR, shepard, n SMALL
pox Victim.
Special Correspondence.


Huntington, Emery county, Jan. o.
The facts in the case of Or. j. Shepard
are as follows: He had been exposed
to smallpox at Emery at the same time
Dr. Ray was, He went TO Castle Dale
and was placed in an isolated house
south Of the town on the night Of De-
cember 49, The eruptions appeared on
Monday night, December Is. and DR..
Shepard stated that HIS was case Of
genuine smallpox, and that his body
was entirely covered with characteristic
postules. He showed his arms where
the subsidiary skin LESSONS were dis
tended. The scabs on the head showed
very plainly, but he claimed he had
not been compelled TO take to his bed
or miss q meal during the quarantine
period.
He was released on Thursday morn
ing, December 2S Just eleven days
from the time he was removed 10
quarantine quarters, and just ten days
from the time the local symptoms APP
peared. The patient came to Castle
Dale and went 10 the public barber
shop, where he had his hair cut and
his face shaver. He appeared in the
stores and saloons. wearing the same
outer clothing that he had been wearing
when he came from the infested dis
trict.
Our quarantine officer gave the man.
In the above described condition, a GER
tiflcate of health to carry with
him in his travels from here to San
Francisco, his destination. Because
the Huntington people were unwilling
TO have DR. Shepard stop mere, the
quarantine officer intimated that the
doctor had money TO pay his way and
families that sometimes entertained the
travelling public should be compelled
to keep DR.. Shepard or should be sued
for damages II they refused.
Notwithstanding the quarantine
physician Is practicing physician the
public feels that the case is an out
rage on the community. We know that
In smallpox, the period OF contagion is
from three TO four weeks, as demon
strated during the epidemies in Mon
treal and the Northwest In 1883. We
think our quarantine regulations are
not adopted for the convenience OF the
quarantined alone but for the protec-
ton Of the public as we'll II was stated
that the expense Of isloatlng this case
was a hardship on the county Our
answer is that the public should not
be exposed to save the county few
paltry cents This loss would truly be a
great thing compared with the spread
Of the dread disease In our homes, TO
say nothing Of the bills to physicians,
undertakers and sections.
We understand that there are a
number Of cases at the town of Emery,
which mas been under quarantine about
three weeks, but during that time the
quarantine physician has made but
two visits there, and the actual condi-
ton can only be learned by hearsay.
We think the people OF Emery should
be visited and instruction given as TO
how 10 care for the afflicted and prevent
the spread Of the disease.
II Is current that at Green River. this
county, there is a family seriously af-
fIcted. About three weeks ago they
moved to Emery county and stopped
with family where there was chicken
pox. Two weeks ago members OF this
visiting family came down and We un.
derstand members OF the same family
are stlll attending public gatherings.
They have not yet been visited by our
quarantine officers or the cases inves.
tigated. We think our local health OF.
ficers are guilty OF continual neglect
and doubt II they are familiar with the
requirements OF the State law, II not
ignorant OF the existence Of the stat
utes.
1t now seems likely that the county
will be overrun with smallpox, although
We trust II may not be the case,