Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-11-11
President Denny Writes Con-
corning the Fever Situation

President Denny Writes Con
corning the Fever Situation
President George H. Denny ha
!, given to the press an official state
ment of the recent epidemic o.
typhoid fever in Lexington. 1t il
/, as follows:
e WASHINGTON q LEE UNIVERSITY, !
Nov. 4, 1908.
In view of the highly sensation
al and unfair reports which have
! been put into circulation concern
ing the existence of cases of
typho old fever in this community, it
is deemed proper to say to parents
and guardians of our students
that the true condit ton of affairs
has been unduly exaggerated.
The town of Lexington has an
elevation of ZOO feet above sea
level and is noted for its healthful
and invigorating climate. 1t is
abundantly supplied with pure
water flowing directly into tie
town pipes from mountain springs
several miles distant, and the
natural drainage Is perfect. The
existing system of sewerage is per-
haps bett;I han that of any other
town in Virginia of equal size. In
an area Of one square mile there
are approximately eight miles of
sewer pipes. The air is pure,
healthful and invigoratlng, and
the weather generally fair and
mild. In additio.. to these points
of advantage there is an exception
ally competent board of health.
The average annual death rate,
estimated for four years, and taken
from the official records, was four
whites and six negroes in each
thousand inhabitants. From twenty
to thirty per thousand is, in many
towns, a common rate.
1t is evident that, unless there
are weigbty considerations to the
contrary, the enviable reputation
which this town has enjoyed
should not be prejudicially afec- !,
ted.
During the early portion Of Oc-
tober there were developed a num-
Der of caser of typhoid fever, and
it was deemed proper that the
town authorities should take =,
action to check it.
These gentlemen were fully equal
to the occasion, and without delay
summoned the most expert Ameri
can authorities to examine the
situation and correct the evil.
That the situation was any
thing like so serious as reported },
must be denied. The cases of =
fever have been, with very rare :
RECEPTIONS, of the mildest type :
md in population of over 4 1000, !
'nly one white person has died
rom this cause throughout the :,
entire summer ard fall to this ~
lay. y
1t is also a fact that the several :,
'Ollege cases, with one exception, :. :,
developed simultaneously about -
he 18th Of October, indicating, -
o far as these cases are concerned, - -
temporary condition, which has y,
disappeared. a,
1t is believed that there are few y
Institutions of learning in this
ountry that can show so small a
cath rate as has MAJ ked the ;,
istory of Washington and Lee =,
University during the past quarter !,
century; and the friends Of T, :,
he institution may rest assured y
nat the authorities of the Univer- - /,
ty are very jealous of the repu- -
alton, and will leave no stone UNI "
lrned to preserve it.
1t is to the credit of the student
ody Of the University that al ~ -
ost without exception they re- ~
aimed true to their colors in 81
'ite of vastly exaggerated re- ne ne
)rts; and their action is, of ~
'urse, appreciated by the faculty II II
the University ana the people of II
lis community.
1t goes without saying that no ,
cts have been withheld from our N ~
udents, and that they have been ~
our confidence as to the entire pi'
tuatiOn. We appreciate the con- u"
lence which they have in turn we
posed in us, and it has been our u"
fort to deal with them and advise COZ
EN- as if they were indeed mem pr
RS of our own families. Po
If it had been our iudgment o VI
at there existed any carse for pr
rious apprehension, we should ~
We frankly notified them and ,ns
cir parents, The situation at ht
e present time is satisfactory,
d we anticipate no recurrence i1,s
the abnormal conditions Of three Gu
'eks ago. io'
GEORGE III, DENNY. VI"