The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-02-13
Small pox.


the laity and among men of the medical
profession, no little discussion and some
controversy. The question of the nature
of the disease has been debated alike
by men of science, by editors of daily
papers and by victims of the disorder.
The report Of the State Board of Health
shown that there are now about 5000
cases of smallpox in Iowa, and proba-
bly, not more than half the cases have
been reported to the board. There is
scarcely community but what has had
one or more cases. But where the char
acter of the disease was promptly rec
ognized ard reported and the local
health officers promptly and efficiently
resorted to vaccination, isolation, quar-.
antine and disinfection the disease sell
dom got beyond the family premises
first infected. But in many towns in
the state the health officers and physi-
clans have been at ioggerheads and the
disease allowed to spread. In neigh.
boring county seat for instance, dis
pute arose between the health officers
and the citizens, and the disease was
allowed to spread, and at this time the
business of that town is almost suspend
ed, the business men have countermand.
ed their orders for goods, the churches,
schools and all places Of amusement
have been closed and the business of
the town is virtually ruined. This is
the history of many other towns of the
state. But fortunately Leon has es-
capped, and this is due to the prompt
cooperation Of the health officers and
the determination upon the part of the
business men to keep the disease out of
town, and there is no question but what
it can be done if all concerned will work
together harmoniously. Unfortunately
owing to the modified form of the cpl
demic-many physicians have failed to
recognize the true character of the dis.
ease, or, if recognizing it,, have for ques-
tionable reasons neglected or refused to
report it for quarantine, and because of
this condition persons sick and broken
out with smallpox are allowed to walk
the streets. 1t is not an unusual thing to
have mild epidemic of any contagious
or infectious disease. We often have a
mild epidemic of typhoid fever or
scarlet fever, and the next occurrence of
the disease in the community will be
very maligant. And even in this mild
and modified form Of smallpox there
are localities where the disease has
assumed a very severe form. The
doctors are not alone to blame for the
wide prevalence of this disease. The
local boards of health in many in
stances are reluctant to take proper
cognizance of the cases reported and to
adopt measures to prevent the spread
of the disease. 1t has been over and
over observed that where town has
been unfortunate enough to have an
outbreak of this disease and the author
tiles at once adopted and enforced pre-
ventive measures it inspired confidence
and there was no interruption of bust
ness; but where an effort was made to
conceal it the most extravagant reports
were circulated and surrounding towns
were disposed to boycott the place and
business was ruined.
| The local board of health and the
physicians can save Leon from such a
disaster if they will. Local newspapers
in many places have greatly embarrass.
ed and disorganized the labors of the
local officers by rldiculing their efforts
but fortunately the newspapers of Leon
have always cooperated with the author.
tiles to prevent the spread of contagious
diseases. The exceedingly mild form OF
the prevailing epidemic has produced in
great many cases mistaken idea as
to its true character. Physicians have
mistaken it for chickenpox and have
refused.to report the cases to the health
officers, and after their mistake Mas
been proven they persist in refusing tc
take proper precautions to prevent the
spread Of the disease. Chickenpox is
particularly disease Of infancy and
early childhood An adult with chick.
enpoX is as rare as hen teeth, and al
this time any eruption resembling
chichenpoX in an adult should be look
ed upon with the grayest suspicion,
Usually in chickenpox the appearance
of the rash is the first indication of il
health, but not so with smallpox. Ii
this disease the stage OF invasion last.
from three to five days. The patient is
first taken with chill or chilly sensa
ton, high fever, headache and back
ache, and these symptoms last four o.
five days or until the eruption appears
and then the fever subsidies somewhat
AS the physician of the local board Of
health, 1 feel it my duty to use every
possible precaulion to prevent the oc
currence and spread of this disease il
Leon, and with the operation of tn,