The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-25
NO SUCH THING
is CONTRACTION
A Doctor at Appleton, Wis.,,
Holds to This Theory.
Undertakes to Demonstrate 1t
In Sensational Manner.
A CASE OF SMALLPOX
Is Visited and Pains Taken to
Acquire Disease Germs.
He Then MingIes With His Fam
lily and His Club.
The Indignation Of the Health
Board Is Aroused.
Undertakes to Demonstrate 1t
In Sensational Manner.
A CASE OF SMALLPOX
Is Visited and Pains Taken to
Acquire Disease Germs.
He Then MingIes With His Fam
lily and His Club.
The Indignation Of the Health
Board Is Aroused.

Appleton, Wis, Jan. 25.-Dr. M. J.
Rodermund, an eye and ear specialist
who has long enjoyed local notoriety
through his denial of the germ theory Of
disease and the contagiousness of any
disease. has with deliberate intention
directly exposed to smallpox contagion
scores Of people in this city and indi'
rectly exposed hundreds in Green Bay
A Miss stark, whose home is in Five
Corners Wis, last Friday came to APP
pleton to visit the family of F. G. Witt.
On Sunday Miss Stark was taken i'll OF
smallpox. The Wilt household was at
once guaranteed.
On Monday DR.. Rodermund called at
Mr.. Wits house and was permitted to
see the patient. According to the doctors
own story he rubbed the pustules on
Miss Stark's face till they broke and tie
virus was communicated to his hands
To thoroughly test the contagion thu
DRY DR.. Rodermund then rubbed his face
with the smallpox virus and also smear
ed his clothing with it. He then TOOK
his departure, going to his residence and
exposing his family to the disease. He
also moved freely about town and in the
evening visited the Business Mems club,
where he staid several hours and expos
ed many of the members.
Nothing was known of the doctors
action until today, and when the truf1
became known great indignation was
expressed. The health committee meS
and decided to quarantine him. His two
younge children were excluded from
school and the same action was taken
in regard to his older son, who is a stu
dent at Lawrence university.
Mayor David Hammel of Appleton
said that DR.. Rodermund had undoubt-
edly exposed many people. The mayor
said DR.. Rodermund would be quaran-
tined and be given no further opportun-
ity of leaving his house.
I'VE have been looking up the law in
regard to such cases. said the mayor
but it is not plain, and DR.. J. 3. Bev-
to await the arrival Of DR.. Q. 3. Win
gate the secretary of the state board Of
health. with whom we have communion
ted and who is expected tomorrow
DR.. Rodermund has just published a
book in support of his theories the title
of which is THE Mudereous F'ads Of
Physicians"
DR.. Rodermund made the following
statement in regard to his action in tile
case:
ION Monday noon I called on Miss
Stark, who, knew, had smallpox. I went
to her side and uncovered her arms and
neck I rubbed my hands over the
pustules, breaking some of them, and
then rubbed my face and clothes with
my hands, telling the patient was go
ing home to get dinner and to give the
smallpox to my family. I also told the
family that if smallpox were contagious
the health officer was the most reckless
person / ever saw for not keeping this
child and its mother away from the pat
lent.
Il told them could prove that no
disease is contagious and when I went
away instructed them not to tell any
one that had been there wished for
an opportunity to prove my assertions,
and if the matter became public feared
I would not have it. have been to the
Business Mems club twice since Monday
and have been about town in the same
way as usual. I have made no special
effort to communicate the disease, no~
have 7 tried to keep away from people.
The club has taken no action in the
tined