Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-16
SMALLPOX CONDITIONS
DISTRICT INSPECTORS VISIT TO IN
FECTED HOUSES IN MARYLAND.
Report on Subject to BE Laid Before
Surgeon General Wyman-
Cases Investigated.

from q report made TO the healtn oincer
of the District a day or two ago by one OF
the inspectors of the health department
which report the Commissioners made pub
lie today, it would seem that the condition
of affairs in Maryland adjacent to this city
growing out of the prevalence of smallpox
there, is in any but satisfactory state.
The inspector was directed by the local
health officer to investigate the alleged
cases of smallpox at Hyattsville, College
Park anu Lakeland. Nd. and he states that
his first call was at the Maryland Agri-
cultural College. where he saw the presi-
dent of that institution. and was informed
by him that there was family named
Long living near, In which the disease was
said to exist.
The president of the college could not give
the inspector the exact location, but re-
ferred him to Dr. diversified, the physician
to the Institution The Inspector was una
BILE to DR.. Diversified but learning that
DIR. Lee of Berwyn had charge of all the
cases, he went to Berwyn. but was also I'M
able to see DIR. Lee.
The inspector next went to Hyattsville,
where he called upon DR.. Richardson. who
volunteered to drive him to some of the in
fected places. He first visited Louis Dent,
colored. about twenty years Of age. and
found the man to be suffering from the dis
ease and confined to loft in barn in the
rear of a house occupied by a Mr.. Bauck-
hayes, at Hyattsville.
Method of Dfsinfecting.
1.-The only attempt at disinfecting the
house of Rauckhages." says the inspector.
consisted in sprinkling the floors with
bichloride and hanging up sheets saturated
with the same
THE inmates have been vaccinated.
We next went to a house located near the
house of DR.. diversified, at College Sta
ton, and occupied by Sam Barringer, Avery
Barringer, both colored, and Liza Gorham,
a white woman. Avery was suffering with
variola, and, l am informed, had been fire.
quently seen cunning in the woods while
the eruption was out on his body. The
other two inmates have not had the dis
ease. They have been vaccinated
I'VE then drove to the house occupied by
Sam Long, coored located about one
fourth of mile beyond the college. On
the way there we met Sam Long, who was
cutting briars and bushes from the side of
public road. The eruption was very pro-
fuse on the face and hands of Sam. The
following inmates suffering with the
disease: Sam Long. about fourteenth day:
Laura Long, aged fifteen. and Lizzie Long;
aged twenty. The other inmates. Mrs.
Sarah Long and Annie Long, aged nine.
have not yet contracted 1t, nor have they
been vaccinated. We next visited the
house of Jim johnson. Lakeland, where
mates. however. failed to reveal any symp-
toms or signs of the disease.
This investigation shows a lamentable
condition of affairs. The inmates are IN
structed to remain indoors, but guard Is
established to secure compliance with these
instructions. and the inmates are free to
come and go at will. They are also told
that food will be supplied, but as a matter
of fact they are dependent on the charity
Of their neighbors.
Quarantine Effective.
'In the case of Dent. at Hyattsville. the
quarantine is effective, as Mr.. Baukhages
is undoubtedly doing everything he can to
keep Dent from coming in contact with
other persons. However. 1t will be practi-
cally impossible to thoroughly disinfect the
barn, unless it is burned | am informed
that DR.. Lee has been instructed to secure
house for the reception of variola cases.
No public vaccination Is carried on
1t is understood that DR.. Woodward will
lay his report before Surgeon General Wy
man of the marine hospital service. and
Under the authority and power lodged in
General Wyman by law it Is believed that
he will issue such directions to his force as
well as to the Maryland authorities as will
remedy the evils mentioned In the report.
The health department of the District will
continue the precautions taken by 1t to
prevent any spread Of smallpox into the
District from the infected points in Mary
land, and will. of course. cooperate with
both General Wyman and the Maryland
authorities in any efforts they may make to
stamp out the disease at the places re-
ferred to.
At present there is but one case of the
disease known to the health officer In the
District, the patient being the War De-
partment employe who was recently re-
removed to the smallpox hospital and who
is reported to be doing well.