Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-06
THE SMALLPOX.

plete charge Of the case Of smallpox
that was reported in the last issue of
THE ENQUIRER, and it is fair to say
that practically all excitement has
subsided. There was some excitement
Friday and Saturday, but nothing like
as much as there was over various
false alarms of year or two before.
Now people are taking the situation
philosophically, and few are now dis
posed to magnify the danger.
The case, as already reported, was
discovered by DR.. Williams. He ran
upon it Unexpectedly. Having been
called upon to see the Negro, John
Barber, he detected symptoms that
were very suspicious. He felt pretty
sure that he had case Of smallpox
on hand; but having had no previous
experience with the disease, was not
certain. Taking such precautions as
were possible for his fullest protection,
he at once proceeded to make thor
ough examination, and as the result Of
the examination was convinced Of the
correctness Of his suspicious. In pur-
suance of his further duty he next call
ed upon DR.. Miles Walker, chairman
Of the local board Of health. DR.. Wal
ker had not seen an unmistakable case
Of smallpox either; but he also went to
the cabin Of the Negro and made an
examination, as the result Of which
he arrived at the same conclusion that
DR.. Williams had announced.
Not only did the doctors examine
carefully the Negroes symptoms; but
they questioned him closely. He de-
MED that he had been out Of Yorkville
since Christmas, and represented that
he had been in no position to contract
smallpox. In view Of all the evidences
before them. however, the doctors did
not allow themselves to be Influenced
by this representation; but decided to
lay the matter before the board Of
health and town council.
The town council and board Of health
were convened during Friday after
noon, and the matter was discussed
at length. Notwithstanding the posi-
tiveness Of the doctors on the subject,
there was the usual disposition to raise
doubts, and after due deliberation 1t
was decided to send for DR.. r. c. Bunt-
ing, Of Gastonia. DR.. Bunting has
charge Of the smallpox camp at Cas-
tonia. During the past few weeks he
has had under his care some 80 or 40
cases Of smallpox, and 40 or so suspects,
who have been exposed to the disease.
He came down Saturday night and
made an examination Of Barber.
In the meantime, before the arrival
of DR.. Bunting, the town council had
arranged to establish smallpox camp
on the Pinckney road, just without the
incorporate limits of the town, on lot
belonging to Mr.. A. Rose. Here was
provided comfortable quarters for the
treatment of smallpox. and also for
the detention and guarding Of sus-
poets. Three guards were provided
one to guard in day time and two at
highland arrangements were made
with Mr.. A. c. Mcknight, a worthy
and reliable old veteran, who has be-
come immune from the disease,
through having gone through a case Of
it in the army, to act as general SUI
perintendent Of the camp.
DR.. Bunting examined Barber and
promptly gave it as his opinion that
the disease was smallpox. He ex-
pressed his approval Of the precautions
that had been taken and gave some
valuable suggestions against possible
contingencies. He made still another
visit to the camp on Sunday morning,
and as the result Of his understanding
of the situation, he thought that the
disease was pretty we'll under control.
He did not think that Barber was in
any serious danger, and could not say
certainly whether any of the Negroes
who had been in the house with him
would likely take the smallpox or not.
1t was probable, he thought, that all
of them might escape; but still it Is