The Somerset reporter., 1903-12-17
For the REPORTER.
The Situation in Athens.

| wish to make correction in regard
to Rev. J. E. Lombard's son having had
small pox twice and vaccinated in the
meantime. vaccinated the boy after
exposure to small pox and he had the
modified form.
We have had over one hundred cases
of small pox in Athens and vicinity and
some twenty have been typical cases
and the rest have been mild, not
needing to call physician. The most
typical cases | have watched from the
beginning to complete recovery and |
can find nothing in our distinguished
medical works that described the disease
but small pox In every case after the
ruption of the pustues there Ia de-
preston In the center which can be seen
for four or five weeks or until complete
desquamation has taken place and some
are left permanently which are called
pits or peck marks. | do not claim to
know more than all The medical fratern-
ity in the United States for we have some
of the most distinguished physicians and
surgeons in America that can be pre-
duced on the face of the earth and they
call the disease that is prevailing
throughout the United States, small pox.
have an article in my possession writ
ten by Frederick H. Dillingham;, A. M,
M. D., of N. Y. city, Adjunct Prof. of
Dermatology aud sanitary superintend-
cut of the Department OF Health of N.
Y. city, who says, "that the outbreak OF
small pox has been prevailing all over
-. 7 Co ha
aud the cases have been 80 mild in some
localities that it is not strange that health
officers have labored under great diff
culties In combating the disease as very
often physicians did not give a correct
diagnosis until many had been exposed
and contracted the disease, and also
speaks of cases coming to the hospital
for treatment OF skin disease, when on
examination discover that they have
small pox and are taken to the pest
house."
DIR. Young, Sec. State Board Of Health
and DR.. Bessey of Waterville, were call
ed and examined the cases here in all
stages and they pronounced the disease
small pox. Just as soon as we commence
ed to vaccinate and quarantine the dis
ease began to abate and for the last three
weeks we have had no new cases outside
of the quaraDtined families.
We hope and trust that there will
be no more new cases in town aud vicin-
ty for IL is great damage TO town in
business way, In fact a damage TO
everyone, physicians included, as more
or less of the people are afraid Of phys'-
clans who attend these cases no matter
how thoroughly they may flmigate after
visiting every patient.
Every one In a town should be united
tnd work together to stamp out the
dlsease and those who have it In their
families should be willing to be quaraE-
.icai until the proper time for tumiga-
too a. ii Is no use to fumigate until COM
plete desquamation has taken place.
Unless these precautions are taken we
eau never be rid of the disease and PEG
pie are liable TO contract 1t for an indeti-
ute period.
Ii has been reported that there are two
hundred cases of skin disease in Water
Vile, which the doctors call "infectigo
contagiora," but on calling up DR.. Bessey
on the telephone he informed me that
here were no cases of infeCtigo nor
small pox In town.
State Board of Health: Chas. d. Smith,
NJ. D Portland. president; G. M. Wood
cock, M. D., Bangor; F. c. Robinson,
Brunswick; NJ. c. Wedgewood, Lewis.
ton; E. C. Jordon, G. E., Portland; A.
R. G. Smith, NJ. D., Whitefield; A. @.
Young, NJ. D. Augusta, Sec. and Reg.
Of vital statistics.
1t does not look reasonable for mo-
ment that the two political parties and
especially the doctors in Maine would
allow Secretary Young to remain on the
board for thirty years unless he was
thoroughly up to date on all contagious
diseases. l.. N. K.