Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-05
DON'T ExAGGERATE,

II appears pretty clear that the small
pox alarm raised In this city has been
largely without reason. We do not say
there has been no outbreak OF the dis
ease, but we do firmly believe that
many cases which have been reported
as smallpox, have been something dif-
ferent from that disease In many I'M
portant particulars. The case Of Fire
Chief Deyine and his family Is a pointer
in that direction. There was no actual
necessity TO move them from their quar-
tiers. No Infection appears to have re-
suited from the eruption upon the chill
dren. The symptoms manifest, lack
some OF the essentials Of smallpox. SO
IN a large number Of other instances.
We do not mention this to deprecate
the precautions taken by the health
officers In this city. The prevention Of
the spread Of threatened disease Is part
Of the duty enjoined upon them. That
there has been great lack Of expert
ence among the medical fraternity here
In relation to smallpox, Is no fault on
their part. It is only when they have
become too dognatIc on a matter Of
which they were not personally ia
mlllar and when they attempted to
force vaccination upon unwilling sub
jects, that they were open TO censure.
The remarks made by preacher on
this subject, In which the health OH
GERS were charged with cowardice be-
cause they rescinded the order closing
the public schools, we consider entirely
undeseryed and out Of place. SO with
the attempt in the same discourse to
make II appear that there was con-
Hlct between a Church and the Board
OF Health. There has been nothing Of
the kind,
The dispute that has arisen in rela-
tion TO this subject was not taken up
by any church or religious organization.
Both believers and dlsbelevers In the
merits OF vaccination persons OF varl-
Gus religious and political opinions,
Joined In the indignant protest raised
against the exclusion Of healthy chill
dren from the public schools. Those
who denied the existence OF genuine
smallpox In the city and those who adj
mitted Il, united in the contest against
wha. was believed to be an unlawful
exercise OF despotic authority. II was
the voice Of the majority Of the people
that was raised. against an under
handed attempt at compulsory yaocina-
ton that was not required by law.
When the health authorities advised
the reopenine OF the schools, It was not
done In any spirit Of cowardice' but
from q conviction that the conditions
having been changed. there was no ne
cessity for continuing to keep up the
barrier which had been interposed by
way Of precautlon. We believe that the
health officers are fully justified in the
course they have pursued by which the
education We all desire the children
shall obtain shall not be denied TO them.
We believe that II will be for the
benefit OF all concerned, II the rumor
that has gone abroad concerning the
sanitary condition OF our city and our
state. shall be speedily and effectually
removed, Tho opening Of the schools
Will certainly aid In the good work.
All proper precautions against the
spread Of contagious disease no matter
what its proper name may be, should
be vigorously maintained. But there Is
no need for rublic alarm, and no good
can orlse from creating the impression
that the fair face OF Utah Is pitted with
the scars OF smallpox, and that there
Is infection in the pure air Of these
mountain valleys