Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-23
SMALLPOX SITUATION.
STATEMENTS WHICH SHOULD PUT
\ aUIETUs ON SENSATIONAL
REPORTS.
NO OCCASION FOR ALARM.
There Has Not Been Al Fatal Result
In a Single Case in This section.
The Disease in Under Control, and
Has Been Virtually tampe Ont.
What the Health Officers Say.


What the Health Officers Say.
At different times during the present
winter sensational reports nave been
in circulation concerning the prevail
ence of smallpox in the city of Wheel
ing, and upon more than n occasion
the authorities OF ~neighboring towns.
acting upon exaggerated reports. have
seriously contemplated quarantining
against Wheeling. AS a matter of fact,
there has never been any danger of an
epidemic of the disease. Nearly all the
local cases originated in one square
dn the Second ward, and nearly all the
patients were colored,
Many persons were exposed in the
crowded district in which the first
cases originated, but the cases result
ing therefrom were surprisingly few.
All danger of further cases from that
source, has been removed, because Of
The fact that the time period in which
the symptoms would have been mani
tested, has long since elapsed.
The disease was manifested in an ex-
ceedingly mild form, and no deaths
have resulted from ii. There was but
one serious case, and it was serious be-
cause of the fact of other complica-
tions in the patient.
The Register presents below anthem
tic statements from the health authori-
ties of Wheeling and vicinity:
wheeling.
The local situation is given in the
following statement made last night by
Health Officer DR.. S. L. Jepson:
There are two patients in the city,
one in the Seventh ward, and one in
the Fifth ward. Both are GONZALES
cent. There are seven patients in the
hospital. But one of these is confined
to bed, and he is taking no medicine.
OF these seven patients, three will so
out of the hospital to-day. A fourth
will be retained for a few days as a
helper, in place Of a nan who has
been discharged because he is no
longer needed. Thus, but three pa
tients remain.
mo new case has developed since
February 10TH
Benwood.
Regarding the smallpox situation in
Benwood, DR.. ]. w. Mcdonald, the
health officer, stated last night that
there were only two mild cases in the
town and there was no danger of a
spread of the disease. The first cas-
developed a couple weeks ago in a
boarding house north of Bogg's run,
and the second case in the central por-
ton of the city last Wednesday. Both
patients are ~quarantined at their re-
spective homes, and are getting along
nicely.
Martins Ferry.
DR.. j. ". Darrah, Health Officer, said:
There are no cases here, and have
been none We are taking precautions,
however, and are advising general vac-
~cination. Vaccination has not been
made compulsory as yet, but If the
stories concerning the prevalence of
the disease in Wheeling are true. and if
we have reason to believe that there
is an increase III the number of cases,
1T is likely that an order will be issued
requiring all pupils in the public
schools to be vaccinated."
bridgeport.
Dr.. Van Wagner, Health Officer,
makes the following statement:
1--WE have had but two cases. There
is but one patient at present, and he
is convalescent. The most rigid quar-
antine has been established, and there
is no danger OF other cases developing
from it. The second case did not orig
inate from the first. Vaccination has
been general in Bridgeport
BelIuire.
DR.. Booze. Health Officer, said to a
Register reporter:
"Bellaire has thus far escaped. We
have had no cases of smallpox. and the
public appears to be rather Indifferent.
and there are not many VACCINATIONS
P%uitney Township.
Dr.. A. c. Beetham. Health Officer OF
Pultney township, Belmont county,
which includes all the river front be-
tween the corporate limits of Bridge
port and Bellaire. stated yesterday that
there are no eases at present. and have
been no cases within his jurisdiction.