Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-04-23
SMALLPOX SITUATION.
List Of Those Who Have Disease at
Mystic.


Mystic, April 22.-During the past
week several new cases of the prevail
ing disease called smallpox have de-
veloped in the city. When it is stat
ed, however, that a number of new
cases are in evidence, it must not be
taken for granted that the disease is
spreading, because many cases are in
families already under quarantine.
When the disease appears in family
of four or five members, it must be
borne in mind that if three or four of
the family take it, one after the other,
it is likely to extend over period of
considerable time in that family. AS
soon as a case has appeared in a
house it has been quarantined and it
is aimed to keep every inmate OF the
house under quarantine until every
case is well and the period in which
those who are liable to take it has ex-
pired. Many are exposed to the
disease and do not take it, as
only one instance has the disease
gone through an entire family. AS
has been stated before, the disease, If
it is smallpox, is of an extremely light
character. 1t has now been almost
! ic began, and there has not been a Ia
tai case. In not over two or three
cases has there been any serious ILL
ness, and not over half dozen have
been sick more than day or two.
The majority have had it and scarcely
knew it.
1t has been stated through many
state papers, that the disease was
brought here by a show, but the state
nent is not correct. The disease ex-
listed here before the show came. True
one of the members of the show had
it, and they no doubt assisted in
spreading the disease. No blame can
attach to the management OF the
show, however, as Abba and Moravia
physicians pronounced 1t not small
pox when the show was in those
towns.
No matter how the disease origin
ated, however, it is here and it is moi
the purpose of our people to shield
the matter. The state board of health
pronounced it smallpox in order te
quarantine it, and the people of Mystic
designate it the same in order to pre-
vent its spread by bringing it under
the local quarantine regulations. The
u Letter mas always ldhSu lie pOoltluu
that it is better for the town when
any calamity overtakes it to tell the
truth. The people of Mystic also
share in this belief. An attempt tt
cover up the true situation might be
successful for the time being, but af
ter 1t is all over, should the people
learn of the deception, it would impair
their confidence in the reliability Of
Mystic people. We affirm that the 10
cal board of health is using every
means to eradicate the disease. 1t
cannot be eradicated in a day or a
week, but with strict regulations it
can be stamped out in time, and it will
be. No person need be afraid to
come to Mystic, as infected persons
are not roaming the streets at will
as some of our jealous neighbors
would have it appear. The people OF
Mystic are not liars, fools or hypo
critics, as some would have them be
We append below a list of every fam
lily in Mystic that has been under
quarantine since the epidemic began
It is correct to date. Those marked
with a star ~ have been released
from quarantine. The others are still
auarantined. 1t is impossible to give
the exact number of cases in each
family, as no record has been kept ex
cept of the houses. Here is the list
SWIM. Davis, r. d. Whalen. 20. B
Lawton, *Mrs. Cate, #Frank Kennedy