The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-29

ty, through the bureau of health, to
keep the disease from spreading, were
very effective. Only three deaths re-
suited.
The mortality rate is really marvel
lous, when comparisons are made
with other places where the disease
gained foothold. In the town of
York, for instance. so per cent of the
victims have succumbed to the disease
up to date, and it continues to spread.
High commentator is due DR.. w. A.
Paine for the manner in which he
handled the cases in this city.
His intimate knowledge of the dis
ease, and the most approved methods
of treating it enabled him to success
fully combat it's spread.
All of the cases of smallpox in this
city, with one exception, are directly
traceabe to the original case. The
history of the siege dates back to De-
cember 10, 1901, when Captain and Mrs.
George ]. Lewis. of the Salvation army,
left Lockland Ohio, for the purpose of
paying Il visit to and spending the
Christmas holidays with relatives and
friends in this city.
BROUGHT IT HERE.
At Youngstown, Ohio, on the morn
ing of December II. NIr. and Mrs.
James, of Plymouth, Pa, boarded the
train. They had gone from their home
to attend the funeral of a relative in
Youngstown. Later developments
proved that they carried the disease to
Youngstown, where cases were subse-
quently reported This couple sat op-
posite Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis in the train.
AS they began to talk Mr.. Lewis re-
marked to his wife that they were
Welsh people. Shortly afterwards he
engaged them in conversation, occupy
ing a vacant seat in front of them. He
noticed that Mrs. James was heavily
veiled, and her husband volunteered the
information that the woman was not
we'll having been subject to attacks of
erysipelas.
The James and Lewis travelled to-
gether as far as Scranton, and spent
three hours together in the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western waiting
room at BinghamtOn. 1t is said, Incl
dentally, that the cases of smallpox
that developed at Hallstead and Mont
rose, We're among people who were on
the same train, and contracted the dis
ease from Mr.. James
On December % Captain Lewis was
taken sick in this city, and died from
smallpox on January IL, 1902, The un-
dertaker who had charge of the Lewis
funeral complained to DR.. Allen, super
intendent of the bureau of health, that
he thought Mr.. Lewis died of smallpox,
and it was then that DR.. Paine was re-
quested by Dr. Allen to visit the house
at 5l2 North Bromley avenue, and as
certain, if possible, the disease which
caused Lewis death.
IT WAS SMALLPOX.
DR.. Paine pronounced it smallpox, and
| Immediately ordered the premises quar-
antined. The names of all the people
who visited the house during Lewis
| illness were obtained; and as far as
possible all were vaccinated. Then fol-
lowed period of general vaccination,
fumigation, quarantine, etc.
The other victims who died, Mrs.
| William Brace and daughter Blanche,
were exposed to the disease having
| been living i'm the same house with
| Lewis. Two Brace children We're re-
moved to the Parry home in the Mears'
building, where Lizzie Parry was taken
| ill. All of the cases can be directly
| traced TO this source, with the eNcep-
tlon of the Ninol case in the central
| city.
Councilman Evans, whose case has
| Just been dismissed, visited Mears' hall,
where Miss Parry and the Brace chill
| dren We're; w. J. Morgan walked from
Mears' han to the corner of SWetland
street and Bromley avenue with w, j,
| Brace, father of the children referred
| to, and husband of the woman who
| died
Mrs James Brace, of 531 North Gar
| field avenue. whose case will be dis
missed Monday, visited the Brace chill
dren at Mears' hall on January 10, and
was taken sick January 27. This case
| is pronounced by DR.. Paine to be the
severest one that has come to his at
| tention, where the patient recovered
| Mrs. LentZ, who was also victim, Wis.
ited Mears hall on January 10, and was
taken i'll on February l.
| The only clue offered i'm the Vino
case was to the effect that the wife ol
| a theatrical manager who visited the
| Star theatre, was ill., and was supposed
to have been suffering from the dis
| ease.
The precautions taken to prevent the
spread of the disease in this city. ant
the ultimate results, indicate thai
| Scranton was extremely fortunate II
having earnest, energetic men at tn,
head of the department of public safety
and health bureau, as we'll as such ar
efficient expert i'm the disease as DIR
Paine. to take charge of thaeases.
j