The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-02-14
SMALLPOX
And What Incompetent Doc
Buxton has 10 Say About Il

Oklahoma City, Ok, Feb. i4--"The
smallpox situation has reached that
stage in Oklahoma where county COM
missioners and county boards of health
must put an end TO their disputes and
cooperate earnestly or there will not
be a town in Oklahoma without small.
pox, said DR.. L. Haynes Buxton, ter
ritorial superintendent OF health.
Last week was the most discourag
ing since the epidemic has been in
progress this winter. l was on the
point of asking for federal aid TO con-
troll and stamp out the disease. This
week, however, the outlook is more
encouraging, but only for the reason
that the county officers and citizens
have been frightened into doing some
thing.
"As a rough guess, l believe that
there have been no fewer than 1000
cases Of smallpox in oklahoInA this
winter have no idea how many
deaths have taken place. Only two
counties, Dewey and Greer, have not
reported cases Of smallpox, General.
ly, the cases have been mild in form,
but everywhere there have been cases
Of the greatest msliguancy. / have
just received news OF tour deaths Of
adults in about twelva cases Of all
ages at Mahara, Washita count. A
great trouble has been the persistency
of different towns and communities in
suppressiug news Of actual conditions.
They have persevered in calling this
mild form of smallpox chickenpox,
Netc., and to prevent interference with
Commercial pursuits, failed to adopt
proper quarantine measures.
/"Up to a month ago the different
towns had succeeded in controlling
local conditions, but when the patients
were convalescent the officers grew
negligent and the disease spread like
wildfire. This negligence is largely
responsible for present conditions
The last territorial Legislature with
almost criminal Indifference refused to
make an appropriation to stamp out
epidemic diseases AS result the
territory is without cent to protect
its citizens from smallpox. The burd-
den has fallen on the counties. The
statutes provide that county boards of
health shall certify to their expense
accounts, and that the boards of coun-
ty commissioners shall audit them. In
most counties, however, tina commits
sioners have audited and slashed the
accounts Of the boards of health right
and left. This friction has been un-
fortunate in many ways, and it has
been difficult to employ persons to do
necessary work, as they feared they
would get no pay.
THE outlook at present is that pub.
lie safety will cause these boards to
work tremendously. The great dan
ger now seems to be in Cleveland and
Pottawatomie counties. 1 have en-
forced vaccination whenever possible,
ana II is singular fact that In all the
territorial educational institutions. the
students Of which were vaccinated last
year and this year, there has not been
a single case of smallpox"
sis It absolutely necessary that
every patient should be removed TO a
pest houle?"
"Generally, yes" replied DR.. Bux-
ton, "but this is matter that will de
pend upon the judgment OF the physi-
clan in charge. Where residence is
isolated a reasonable distance from
others there Is no good reason why the
inmates should be carried TO pest
house. In thickly settled parts OF
towns public safety would require that
patients be taken 10 the pest house"
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