Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-18
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Ames, Oct. ia serious state Of az
fairs exists at the Iowa. State College,
here. Over half hundred students are
sick with fever, which is generally
termed maIarial fever, but which some
people and physicians think is typhoid.
"A student who was starting for home,
but who did not wish his name pub I
ished, said last evening that ninety
five students We're sick. either at thel
school or al their homes, where they
have gone to be nursed thru their ILL.,
ness. The epidemic has been serious for
some time, but the college authorities
nave hoped that it would abate and the
matter has been kept quiet because Of
the injury which would result to the
college If the condi tions became known
over the state. The increase in the
number Of sick, however has alarmed
the students, who have accepted the
situation calmly and uncompIainingly.
Now, however, they have become
alarmed at the rapid spread Of the dis
ease and a great many are leaving for
their homes to remain until the epi-
demic shall have ceased The college
physician is doing everything in his
power and is working night and day
with the patients. The city physicians
are also aiding. Trained nurses have
been provided in sufficient mum bers to
give all the sick attention. 1t is stated
that in addition to the regular college
hospital two of the society halls have
been fitted up as temporary hospitals.
There are different theories as to the
cause of the sickness among the stu
dents. Some physicians believe that it
originated in the cooking, indicating
possible poison, either from tainted
meats or some form of ptomaine This
theory, however, is not generally ac-
cepted, and a, majority OF the people
lay the blame to impure water. One
peculiar feature of the disease is the
rapidity with which it develops. some
Istudents becoming delirious almost to
raying witt hin three days after the first
symptoms OF fever were noticeable.
The state board of health was noti-
|fied and visited the college yesterday.
No action looking to temporary clos
ling of the college has been taken, but
There have been rnmors that such acc
ltion was ntemplated. What action
1.-THE board of health will take is not
known.
Students at the State College pay
| $3.50 per term into a fund for medical
attendance, which under ordinary Cir
| cumstances is sufficient to defray all
expenses, but the college physician has
i been utterly unable to cope with the
4 situation and all students who show
signs Of the disease are now sent home
lat once.
4 The large reception to have been
Igiven Friday evening at Margaret's
Hall by the students has been post
Iponed indefinitely. the physical r ha wing
iadvsed against large social gatherings
Until conditions change for the better
The foot ball game between the Iowa
State University and Ames, scheduled
Ito be played here tomorrow. has been
1 declared off on account of the sickness
4 of several of the Ames players. a re-
4 port from the presidents office today
states there are fifteen students in the
4 college hospital and about Twenty-Five
4 others in their rooms sick. President
4 Beardshear states that the physicians
There attribute the disease to the rapid
4 changes in the atmosphere. There IS
4 considerable sickness outside college
a circles. especially in Ames and vicinity
Il Most OF the students who have been
II taken care CT at the college have recov-
Il cred within a week or ten days. Inc
symptoms are very similar to typhoid
|fever, but as heretofore stated the the
& doctors pronounce it nlalarial fever
The water at the college has beenSeX-
amined and pronounced chemically