The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-15
Epidemic of Measles Becoming
Almost Alarming.
Center Of Trouble Is in North
Topeka.
STORRS is OBDURATE
Continues His Hard Headed
Policy Of COncealment.
Superintendent Vim. DayidsOn's
Sensible Talk About Schools.

Superintendent William NJ Davidson,
of the public schools of Topeka. whose
IS years experience in this city has en-
abled him to study and understand the
effect of epidemics on the schools. said
today:
Il have had conference with Dr.
storrs in relation to the question of
contagious diseases and the public
schools. Our plan in the past has been
to cooperate with the board of health
in their effort to stamp out contagion.
Each day the board of health makes to
us a report of all new cases of contag-
ion on record in its office. We in turn
bulletin these reports to the principal of
each building in the city We make no
effort to keep information on contagious
diseases from either pupils or patrons.
In fact. our policy has been to give the
greatest publicity to all cases of con-
tagion which affect the schools. Any
patron desiring to know the condition
of contagious disease in his school dis
trict could ascertain the fact by apply
ing to this office or to the principal OF
the building in which his children are
enrolled.
Our experience has been that fear
among patrons is most easily allayed
when we give the widest publicity to
cases of contagion. On this point DR..
~Storrs expresses himself as being in
hearty accord. In short he directs that
we pursue In the future the same policy
that we have pursued in the past From
my own point of view 1 can see no
harm in the records of contagion being
given to the public through the daily
press, but do not wish to be construed
as criticising DR. Storrs in the position
which he has taken. He may have
what he considers good and sufficient
reasons which warrant him in pursuing
the policy which he has outlined. How
ever my own view is that the best in
terests of the public health would be
subserved by giving free access to the
In view of the strong position which
superintendent Davidson has taken in
favor of publicity through the press of
the existence 4of new cases of contag-
ious disease. it would seem that the
time had come for DR.. Storrs to change
his methods and accept the advice of
such men as Mr.. Davidson, and DIR.
Lowry, secretary Of the state board Of
health.
1T is pretty certain that there will
soon be a change in Storrs' plan. 1t is
not working as beautifully as it prom
ised to. and all over the city people are
rebelling at being kept in the dark
about the ravages of measles and other
North TOpeka's condition grows worse
and reports indicate that never in the
history of the city has there been such
an epidemic of measles. A dozen new
cases every day is the common thing
now at the health office. One health
officer said today:
cit would save time for us fellows
81 they would just tack up one measles
card at the north end of the Kansas
avenue bridge, and another at Garfield
park. and let it go at that
Measles is altogether too plentiful for
comfort on this side Of the river Cards
have been placed on the residences OF
DR.. Menninger and DR.. Lindsey and
there are said to be five doctors families
in the city where cases of measles ex-
ist
Complaints are being received now in
regard to the very lax methods of en-
forcing the measles quarantine. and
Jr. Storrs is getting the blame for not
taking more precautions to protect the
city from the epidemic which now
seems to have gotten entirely beyonc
his control II is claimed by one fam
ilv that their children caught measle!
in school from the children of some
people who were not quarantined-
There have been several cases o
measles among adults Doctors consid
er that measles is one of the most dan
gerous ailments which can attack al
adult