The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-18


There were no new smallpox cases re-
ported to the health authorities yester-
day, the child In North Scranton, who
was believed to be suffering from the
disease having been found, upon close
investigation, to be afflicted with
peculiar skin disorder.
The fact that no new cases cropped
up, however, has not at all deferred the
authorities from making ready for the
care of the disease in case ii should be-
come widespread. Proof of this was
demonstrated yesterday, when 1t was
learned that the work of erecting the
smallpox hospital had already been be-
gun. 1t was admitted that the hospital
was being built, but all information as
to it's location was withheld by the
director of public safety and all other
officials having any knowledge of it,
The plans for the hospital were pre-
pared by Building Inspector Brown
and provides for a one-story frame
structure Of sufficient size TO contain
two large wards and to accommodate
upwards of fifty patients. 1t will be
heated with stoves and will be made as
comfortable as a temporary structure
can be made.
The contract for its construction has
been awarded to John Benore at the
figure of 500, and the work of hauling
the lumber and making ready was be-
gun yesterday. 1t is believed that the
building will be finished and ready for
use by next Wednesday, at the latest.
AN ISOLATED SITE.
The site selected is an isolated one
entirely removed from any dwelling,
but it's location will not be made public
just at present because the authorities
fear that an attempt might be made to
burn it down, because of the misguided
views many people hold about pest
houses.
1t must be understood that it is not
the intention of the health authorities
to remove all persons suffering from
the disease to the smallpox hospital
This is not at all the idea. 1t is pro-
posed to remove to the hospital only
those persons who may be taken ill
with the disease in such surroundings
as would endanger the health of many
other persons.
Persons taken i'll with the disease in
hotels or boarding houses and having
no friends or relatives willing to take
them in, would be removed to the hos
pital, as we'll as persons who might be
taken i'll in densely populated tene-,
ment house. If the disease crops out in
a private home it is proposed TO allow
the patient to remain in his own house,
providing that it can be properly and
effectively quarantined.
The fact that no new cases were re-
ported yesterday is not taken as any
sign that danger is past. The period
which elaDses between the time of in
fection and the time on which the first
symptoms Of the disease show them
selves averages about twelve or four
teen days, so that if any of the visitors
to the Brace household, in West Scran-
ton, contracted the disease they would
not manifest any symptoms until some
time next week, at the earliest.
4 number of these persons have been
followed up and have been obliged to
submit to n thorough fumigation OF
their clothes. Their houses, also, have
been thoroughly fumigated in num-
ber of instances.
ABOUT CLOSING SCHOOLS.
DR.. John O'Malley, the chairman of
was referred the question of vaccina-
tion at the last meeting of the board
said yesterday that while his commit
tee had power to close any school IL it
was deemed necessary he did not feel
that the situation called for any such
action just at present.
1T would be wise to close the schools |
if the disease becomes widespread and |
pt1i hn h,tt hn
present are being kept isolated, and |
there seems to be no immediate dam |
ger"
DR.. w. a. Paine, who is assisting
Superintendent Allen, of the bureau OF |
health, takes rather hopeful view OF
the situation.
I'VE are bound to have more cases"
said he, yesterday, but l have strong |
hopes that we can keep them isolated |
and that there will be no widespread |
epidemic"
The alleged case of the disease in |
North Scranton was reported by DR.. A.
u. Bower. Mrs. Thomas Harris, of 2lS |
Parker street brought her small child |
to the Doctors Office for vaccination
morning, and when the doc
tor examined it he thought he detected |
q smallpox eruption on it's body. He |
sent the mother home with the child, |
and notified the bureau of health that
he had case of smallpox on his hands.
DR.. w, A. Paine went to the house
afternoon, and upon exam
ination found that the child was suf-
fering not from smallpox, but from a
peculiar skin disease. which he stated
last night was very hard to classify, |
He was positive, however, that the child