Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-02-19
n QUARANTINE.

InAlnt lbh hAiN AShSN btAib ANNAANf
and premature, the Lewistowr
,oard Of health met Saturday after
loon and unanimously voted to quar-
lntine the city against the mining
amp. Owing to the various reports
from that camp as to the
manner in which the disease had been
to spread. the disregard OF
quarantine regulations, and the fact
that three new cases had developed
there between Thursday and Satur'
day, according to information receiy'
ed, strengthened the opinion of the
board that prompt action should be
taken. The disinclination of the coun'
ty health officer to recognize or i'm.
part any information to the city Off
Gals as TO the true state of affairs at
Gilt Edge had added distrust to doubt
and increased the alarm of our citi'
Sens. Without any desire to lnjure
the people of Gilt Edge but purely as
a measure of caution and protection
against the spread of the disease, the
quarantine was established to stand
mt least until the arrival of DR.. Longe.
way. the secretary of the state board
OF health. The doctor arrived In Lew
istown Monday evening and on Tues
day morning met the members of the
Lewistown board OF health, DR.. Wilson
and others at n specially called meet
ing. After obtaining what informal
ton he could here he left for Gilt
Edge to pursue his Investigations.
Nothing special was developed at this
meeting unless it was the information
that the county health officer was
always ready TO impart information
as to the smallpox situation. But in.
asmuch as he had said II was none
OF the public business" it was diff.
cult to harmonize the two statements.
DIR. Longcway thought &. vas impor
tant that the public be kept fully adj
yised and all he wanted was facts.
Upon the return of DIR. Longeway
from Gilt Edge he again met the mem
bers of the Lewistown board of health
and gave his observations and opin-
ion of the situation at that place. He
found that there had been great neg.
lect as regards fumigation, and laxity
in observing quarantine regulations,
but greater care was being taken now
and he believed every precaution
would be used to prevent the spread
OF the disease. The doctor was so i'm.
pressed with the betterment of the
situation that he did not deem il ad.
yisable or necessary to restore the
quarantine on the town unless there
were new developments of a serious
nature outside of the infected district
which is under rigid quarantine.
This favorable view of the situation
allayed much apprehension, and while
It. was not deemed advisable to raise
the Lewistown quarantine against the
camp at once it will doubtless be done
in a few days.
The ARGUS fully agrees with DR.
L.ongeway that what is needed mos
to stamp out smallpox Is united ant
harmonious action. Professional jeal
ousies and discourtesies should b,
cast aside. The public is entitled {,
know the facts; IL foots the bills. lie
the county health officer consult will
the city health officer and the mayo
and give what information he ma,
possess from time to time as to tn,
status of the disease. The heads o
families cannot be blamed for thei
feeling in the matter. They would a
most as soon confront the disease a
to be cropping around in the dark. Al
open enemy is preferable to a secre
foe. The county commissioners stan
ready to meet all expense necessar
to suppress the disease and protec
the people. Let it be done swiftly an
effectually. Let the disease and ever
germ be uprooted and destroyed an
Fergus county be given a clean bill G
health.