Evening star., 1903-07-29
SMALLPOX DEVELOPS
SEVEN CASES REPORTED IN
FALLS CHURCH VICINITY.
Health Office in This City May Refer
tho Matter to Surgeon
General Wyman.


pOx scare Seven cases have been diScov-
cred as the result of an investigation which
took place yesterday, and more may be the
outcome Of developments today. 1t is stated
that the mayor Of Falls Church made an ef-
fort to transfer the patients to this city to
be cared for In this move. however he
was blocked by a physician from this city.
who declined on the part Of the District of
Columbia to assume responsibility for the
care Of the patients.
DR.. L. E. Gott, whose Office Is near Falls
Church. was called yesterday morning to
attend young white girl about sixteen
years Of age. He diagnosed the case as one
of smallpox and reported the matter to the
authorities. To be absolutely sure in the
matter the mayor Of Falls Church sent to
Health Officer Woodward Of this city for
two smallpox experts to come to Falls
Church and investigate,
Health Officer woodward could not spare
any OF the Office force for this purpose
however, and referred the matter to Dr.
Llewellyn Eliot, smallpox expert Of this
city.
DR.. Eliot went to Falls Church yesterday
morning and spent the greater part of the
day there. He found DR.. Colts diagnosis
to be correct, and also found the patient in
room above a store. Continuing their in
vestigations. Drs. Gott and Eliot. 1t is said.
found In a mill about a mile further on six
moro patients. all of these. however, being
colored persons. When the mayor learned
OF this state of affairs he Immediately sug
gested that the cases be removed for treat
ment to Washington. DR.. Eliot politely,
but just as firmly, refused to consider this
proposition and came to Washington to lay
| the facts before Health Officer Woodward
leaving the matter open.
Conference at Health Office
DR.. Eliot was at the health department
this afternoon and talked with Deputy
Health Officer Mclean Informally about
the matter. DR.. Eliot went to Falls
Church in his private capacity and not as
the representative OF the health depart
| ment. The only interest the local depart
| ment Is taking In the matter is the possI-
bility of the outbreak becoming so serious
as to threaten the District. AS yet this
stage has not arrived. DR.. Eliot told Mr..
Mclean Of the well-defined cases he had
found He went to Falls Church primarily
| to diagnose the case OF the young lady con-
| fined in the dwelling rooms over the electric
| railroad station. and made his subsequent
| investigations at the request OF local physi-
| clans. DR.. Eliot reported the conditions
| at Gravel Bank. the negro settlement. as
| being quite bad and possibly threatening.
1t fs probable that the health department
may bring the matter to the attention OF
| Surgeon General Wyman Of the marine
| hospital and public health service, with a
view to any quarantine steps that may
| be considered advisable.
| IL was reported IN Fails Church that q
| colored man named Page had been suffer
| ing from the disease and going back and
| forth between Washington and Falls
| Church daily on the electric cars. This has
| not been verified.
The Discovery Reported.
The District health department received
| telephone message from a physician at
Falls Church yesterday afternoon. who
| stated that he believed he had discovered
several cases Of smallpox in a negro set
| tlement near that city. He asked If the
health department could not send out an
| expert to identify the disease He was In
formed that the health department could
not take such action. AS stated, the phys
| ician was referred to DR.. Eliot, who as
sists the health department In the treat
| ment of smallpox patients.
| DR.. Woodward. the health officer, was
| asked If he would allow the Falls Church
| authorities to bring smallpox patient into
| the District in covered wagon to have him
| treated at the hospital here. DR.. Woodward
| declined the proffer Of the patient, with
| thanks.
| The published statement to the effect that
| the health department had posted guards
| on Aqueduct bridge to inspect all passen-
| gers coming from Falls Church and the
vicinity. or for any purpose whatsoever, is
! entirely without foundation. The health de-
| partment has taken no such action. 1t Is
doubtful If such drastic measures as those
proposed by the stationing of guards on
the bridge would be resorted to except In
case of a general outbreak In that portion
| Of Virginia. No such action was taken
| even when Alexandria was suffering from
| an epidemic Of the disease.