Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-17
SMALL POX CONSIDERED.
Health officers Recommend Establish
Inent of Isolation Hospitals.

The fourth annual school for Vermont
health officers was brought to a close
Thursday when Prof. George III. Fox,
NJ. d., of New York city, gave an illustrat-
ed talk on infectious Diseases 1t was
impossible to exclude all the light from the
room which dctracted somewhat from the
value of the views. Nevertheless, the talk
was very instructive one In which Prof.
Fox dwelt particularly upon small pox fol-
lowing the disease through all the different
stages, explaining the difference between
it and chicken pox and emphasizing the
necessity of precaution when Ia doubt as
to the nature of the disease.
a large number of slides were also eX-
hibited showing the value Of vaccination,
and cases Of an eruption which sometimes
result from It, Prof. Fox's talk was fol-
lowed by a general discussion.
After the discussion DIR. G. S. Caverly
introduced the following resolutions:
Vermont has had many outbreaks of
small pox during the past two years. The
disease Is increasingly prevalent through
out the country, and experienced obSer-
vcrs predict that this disease will continue
for an indefinite time. We in Vermont
cannot expect to escape with the disease
all about us. Every town in the State
cannot be expected to establish isolation
hospitals In anticipation of an outbreak.
Therefore, Resolved
First, That every part of this State
should be prepared in advance of pos
sible outbreak of small poX.
Second, To this end 1t is recommended
that proper legislation should be had by
the next Legislature to enable towns, by
combination, as is practicable, or by coun-
ties. to build and equip suitable isolation
hospitals for small pox cases; such hos
pitfalls might be used when otherwise un-
occupied for dipthcria and scarlet fever.
Third, That power should be conferred
on, oil tn tyap al 10 ,,D9 ea II
der the direction of local boards of health,
to such hospitals.
DIR. stiles moved the adoption of the reso-
buttons and the motion was seconded 10y
DR. Robbins. After remarks in favor of
the resolutions by II. l.. Stllson, the mo-
ton was carried.
Next DR.. II. V. Ross of Derby introduced
the following resolutions:
We, as health officers here assembled,
recommend to the State Legislature, that
at its next session a law. be passed max
ing vaccination compulsory for all school
children, and for everybody in case of an
outbreak of small pox in that town.
After remarks by Drs, Peck of Brandon,
and Burdck of Wnoosld, the resolutions
We're adopted.
Besides the resolutions already passed,
the following were introduced by DIR. w.
w. styles of South Hero, and passed:
Resolved. That we as members of the
school of health officers of Vermont. here
by advise that the State of Vermont fur
nish free antitoXin as now furnished by
the State of Massachusetts, for the use
of physicians practicing in the State.
This finished the business, and Or.
CaVery, president of the State board of
health. declared the session adjourned.
The school has proven very successful
one, and the lag officers who were in at
tendance will go back to their work with
many new ideas and fitted to carry out