Bennington banner and reformer. (Bennington, Vt.) 1903-19??, 1903-09-17
SMALL POX
SITUATION.
Absolutely No Danger from the
Disease.
WITH REASONABLE CARE
Only Few Cases and Those Not Serious and
All Well Guarded Authorities
Acted Promptly,

There have been few light cases of
a very mild form of small pox in town
the past two weeks and in the minds of
some these cases have been magnified
into great danger.
AS a matter of fact the selectmen and
Health Officer Ssillson took hold ofthe
matter promptly and from the moment
the point was discovered there has been
absolutely no danger of a serious
spread of the disease if people viii
use reasonable care.
There have been 10 cases all told
and all of these are still in quarantine
but there have been no new cases
since week ago yesterday except in
families known to be exposed and al
ready in quarantine or under surveil-
lance. There viii be other cases in
these families undoubtedly, but aclose
watch is kept and it is practically inn
possible for the disease to spread TO
any extent,
The families in which the disease
exists are those Of Joseph King Sr.,
of Mil street, John L. Powers family,
Mill street; Winfred Langlois family,
Mill street; Paul Brooks family, Mill
street: Frank Pellerin's family, Mill
street; Gilbert Lauzon's family, on the
flats below Richardson's; Mrs Airelie
Rosseau, School street.
These families are all closely con
nected and that the disease has not
spread beyond them shows how etiici-
ent has been the efforts Of the select
men and health officer. The disease
was undoubtedly brought here by the
King family from out of town.
Promptly on the outbreak of the
disease, the selectmen decided to build
a hospital on the town farm property.
Selectman Crawford drove to Shafts
bury a week ago Sunday to buy lum-
Der while Selectman Remington hired
all the carpenters he could get and in
less than week comfortable first
class hospital all furnished was ready
for occupancy.
Before that the cases we're moved to
the Lauzon house on the fats and all
the cases are now at the two places ex-
cept one which will be taken there as
soon as the victim can be moved.
The authorities promptly secured
the services of DIR r. q. Miner of Rut-
land, an expert on small pox and he
is in full charge here. Every suspect
and every contaminated house is
watched day and night. The fact that
the contagion has not spread beyond
those first exposed, shows that the
doctor and health officer are in control
of the situation.
Since the outbreak there have been
over $500 persons vaccinated, while
probably as many more have been vac
einated here within two or three years,
and this alone will prevent the pro-
gress of the disease.
The disease has been in very mild
form but positive, and there isno ques-
tion of the necessity of acting prompt
ly and vigorously in the matter. OF
those sick, only two cases have been
really serious, and not one dangerous,
while most Of them have not been any
worse than case of measles.
The greatest difficulty the authori-
ties have had to contend with has been
indifference and ignorance. People
who know nothing about the matter,
argue wisely that the disease is
nothing but Cuban itch, but all the
doctors, including DR. Cayerly, chair
man of the state board ofhealth, agree
that it is small pox.
AS the matter stands there is no
danger of further spread and no rea-
son why business should not go on as
usual. Vaccination is a sure preven-
tive and if anybody gets the disease
now who is not already exposed it is
his own fault.
About the worst thing the authorities
have had to contend with has been
case of insanity of one of the watch
men employed to guard quarantined
house He became suddenly violent
unatic and as he could not be taken
to an asylum for fear of spreading
contagion he has been on the hands of
the authorities in the same house with
the patients.
The report that has been in circula
ton that a doctor from Montreal has
been here and declared thatthe disease
is not small pox is entirely without
foundation. No such doctor has been