Evening star., 1902-03-03
A PHYSICIANS VIEWS.
Public Need Not Be Unnecessarily I'm
easy Over Smallpox Gases.

II do not think that the public need be-
come unnecessarily uneasy with the pres
ence Of a few smallpox cases In this city
as in most large cities there are always
more or less cases Of this disease during
the season when 1t most frequently. ap-
pears, and the health department of Wash
ington Is showing commendable activity
in isolating cases and an intelligent man
ner Of procedure in the natter said a
well-known Washington physician to a
Star reporter this morning.
II am surprised to note, however. that
there appears to be a general complaint
from the different cities and towns be-
cause Of lack Of proper habitations and
facilities for hospital treatment and at
tendance in general with persons afflicted
with the disease.
II have observed during a recent trip
throughout the states east Of the Mis-
souri, the prevalence of the disease and
Washington Is to be congratulated that
it has so few cases and that all thus far
traced have come from outside sources. I
have noticed, however. that the state and
city authorities elsewhere have been con-
demned because Of their failure to pro-
vide adequate facilities for the treatment
the policy pursued in European cities,
where the patients are treated. not sub
stantially as almshouse patients, but with
due care and consideration.
Being a physician l can but remark
upon the condition to which I refer in this
country, and am at loss to account for
the neglect except that the people become
so terror stricken at the time that they
fail properly to meet the emergency, while,
when there Is no epidemic they have no
use for what is enormously called a pest
house. and it Is neglected in itself and it's
surroundings and in money for its main
tenance. The people In most communities
seem to be always In a state OF unpre-
paredness to suitably handle patients,
when the contrary should be the case.
The lack of foresight and general care
lessness in this matter In such communi-
ties and the lax manner in which these
communities handle these cases, 1 believe,
largely accounts for the reluctance pa
tients show to go to the hospital and their
concealment of the disease.
'If 1t were known for instance, that the
hospital for contagious diseases. for the
place of treatment should never be termed.
either in the press or otherwise. by that
suggestive name pest house. was always
up to the standard of hospitals for the
treatment of other diseases. this prejudice
would largely disappear and the EXPOSES
we have read Of In the press Of other cities
than Washington would not appear. 1
understand that the hospital for contagious
diseases in Washington is in much better
condition, and Is always so maintained,
than in cities many times its size. It
should at all times be clean, light, roomy,
well-cared-for place, where modern anti
septic conditions may be maintained and
the patients receive every attention and
care. both medical and nursing. as In other
hospitals.
these highly desirable conditions are
usually IN most communities conspicuous
by their absence. The contagious hospital
is generally an isolated. shabby building.
amid uncongenial surroundings. and the
attention given to patients is often not the
best. These places ought to be kept even
when an epidemic Is not raging. in per-
feet order and made as presentable es
possible. Then. I am satisfied the COM
plants I refer to would not arise and the
public feeling Of prejudice would quickly
disappear. People in the United States
appear to be afraid to discuss this highly
important sanitary question for fear Of
exciting public feeling. when. IL 1t were
freely discussed and the public informed
and guaranteed adequate protection and
treatment. in the event Of affiiction. in
well-regulated hospitals for contagious dis
eases, the feeling on the part Of the public
would soon veer around and the general
stamping out of the disease would be i'm
mensely facilitated.
washington In particular should have
liberal appropriations for this purpose. a.