The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-19

disclosed by DR. Barnes: but they did
know. as quickly as they saw him, that
his face was broken out and to a degree
which made them suspect he was a small
poX victim.
CORALLED BY DETECTIVES.
They held him up I'm a back corridor
called Drs. Chaplin and King who took
Hibbitts into private laboratory used by
the health department and diagnosed his
illness as smallpox.
Hibbitts was at once sent to Fields
Point.
He told DIR. Chaplin that he had been
out OF work since Thanksgiving and had
been living at the cheap lodging houses,
particularly the What Cheer on South
Main street. where Thomas j. Evans slept
month ago. Evans died at the pest
house on Jan. 29th. and a few days later
Michael Drury. who was a guest at the
What Cheer when Evans was there. came
down with smallpox dying at the pest
house week ago yesterday.
Drury was at the What Cheer the last
time ii days ago, which would make Hib-
bits case develop as far as IL had when
he was taken into custody yesterday
had he, as he claimed. been stopping at
the What Cheer when Drury was there.
Drury had a severe attack Of the dis
ease and was found wandering on South
Main street Just as Evans had been a
few days prior
Hlbbtts was wandering about the town
just as the other two men had been and
he. too, has quite a severe attack OF the
disease
All three men were at large and all
may have spread the disease. Not only
that. but the other occupants of cots
left the What Cheer and were at large
i'm each instance hours before the au-
thorities knew OF their possible exposure
and before they could be corraled for
purposes of vaccination
WHY HE Is CRITICISED.
The censure which applies to the ply
sician who notified the health department
OF Hibbitts' promenade through the public
thoroughfares, walking menace to
public health, is that he did not hold the
suspect by force. II necessary The
court would have upheld him II the man
was found not to have smallpox should
he have brought an action
The case Is in striking contrast with
one which was brought to DR. Chapin's
attention last Sunday
a Prairie avenue physician was called
upon at his office by a woman whose
face had decided eruption upon IT,
Suspecting smallpox nc not only de-
tained the woman but locked her up in
his private office. keeping her there until
Dr. Chaplin could arrive
Fortunately IL proved 10 be nothing
more serious than a severe case of
chickenpox.
The doctor. the patient and Superin-
tendent Chaplin were greatly relieved
when the fact was established that it
was not smallpox and nobody felt ag-
gricved because Of the summary action \
OF the physician
WORK OF VACCINATION.
Or leonard. Of tho health department. |
IS vaccinating tho employees OF tho large .
GtorCs
Today he was working in the Boston (
store and found hut few who were anti /
vaccine adherents. This afternoon he 4
was asked 10 innoculate about 2o0 ON 4
ployes IN a publishing establishment
Drs. Chaplin and King arc constantly .
vaccinatinR applicants who apply for tho .
treatment at the CITY hall
There are. In addition 10 Hihberts. four \
convalescing patients az the pest. house \
These will soon be out Of the prasng no. \
ROD and once free Of that will be dis
charged
a e"spect from, woonsocket was located \
on Mi raj S0rinC avenue I'm Pawtucket /
last niaht. IL is the only case known IN 4
that city.
4 FALL RIVER CASE.
Mabel Robinson aged Il years. ot 4
Woonsocket. entered tho office OF the I
board ~ health IN city han at Fall River
YESTERDAY. seeking medical advice. n
was found that she had n fully developed
case of smallpox and she was sent to \
the pest house She was vieiting her aunt
who lives IN Granite block opnosit, city
hall end In the centre OF the retail busi-
rrse district.
Ten adftfcrai cases were onicia.'v d.
ugnosed in Woonsockof SUNDAY making
- new cases since last Wednesday and
81 al told undcr quarantine in that city