New-York tribune., 1903-03-30
DRYING TYPHOID OUT.
DR.. Soper Thinks Ithaca VIII Be Al
Right by Summer.
t7v TELEGRAPH To THE tribune


Ithaca N Y March 29.-Dr. George A So
per to-day issued the first official statement he
has made regarding the typhoid situation here.
It is in the form of a letter to Thomas r. kneili'
of Saratoga Springs, president Of the New-York
State Teachers Association. and is in answer
to a request to know whether OF not 1t would ne
safe to hold the teachers convention here in
July. DIR: Soper says that it will be safe This
is expected to have a decided effect in restor-
ing confidence in the safety of the city. and will
probably bring a good many students back to
the university.
Another effect of the letter will probably be
&c hasten a decision by the university au-
thorittes in regard to holding the summer ses-
sion. Though applications have been coming In
steadily from all parts of the cohntry, Presi-
dent SChurman and the trustees have not yet
decided definitely about the session, as they have
feared the effect of the hot weather on the
city'g sanitary condition. AS the summer ser
sion will open about the time of the teachers
convention, DR.. Soper's letter will relieve a good
deal of apprehension on this score.
The letter says in part:
careful consideration Of the matter leads I11s me-
to express the opinion that your co9yentlon Goula q
marked Improvement has occurred in the typhoid
fever situation. The course of the epidemic seems
The total number Of cases 50 far - as IN my present
data @ at asnt from 70 s the there h2s % BEEN 81
The fgtlres given are probably not accurate the
statistics of the epidemic not yet being complete.
There have been "a cases In March OF these
&c reported the first weeks and Is in the
last fortnight. In the week ended yesterday there
were four days without new case. .
Within the month sanitary organization
has been effected which is capable of doing all that
can be done to safeguard the public health. There
are needed only money and public sentiment to Keep
the machinery OF this organization IN operation
and a careful hand to guide and regulate IL IN
nv view, the security of the public health in the
future depends partly on this sanitary organi
zaton and partly the probability that the orlgi-
nal source of Infection no longer exists. II the
measures which the authorities are capable NJ
carving out are executed there should be but little
more danger typhoid fever in Ithaca during the
spring and sunmc- than in any other city OF SINH
lar size and loca n. In fact. there is proodry no
other city i'm tn ountry in which the health OF
the people could so vigilantly guarded
OF the measures taken for the safety Of the
students DR. Soper says:
As a final precaution against a temperance OF
the fever and in order TO insure the health and
comfort Of students and others VINO may De as
posed to remain in Ithaca during the summer
months the authorities have decided to exercise
a careful supervision the sanitary condition OF
being made Of all houses in which roomers OF
IA hIe bOarders are taken. No odger or ooarder ~
nermirted in a house where there Is fever patient
Either the patient must be removed ana the mouse
thorou9hly disinfected the place will be tenn
porarily closed until the patient has recovered.
Dr. Soper adds that il at later date 1t
should appear that Ithaca is not yet safe he will
announce this publicly.