The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-02
Mayor Orders the Establishment of
Stations for Free Treatment I'm
All Parts of City.
TO CHECK SPREAD OF DISEASE
PHYSICIANS DECLARE SMALLPOX
COULD BE ERADICATED THUS.
Drug Stores and Engine Houses VIII
he Used StatfOns-MOre
Money Needed.

indianapolis is to be vaccinated. The
plans announced by Mayor Bookwalter last
night contemplate the vaccination of the
entire population Of the city, except of
course, those who have already been
vaccinated. After conference with the
Board of Health and the city sanitarian
yesterday Mayor Bookwalter announced
that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day nights of this week, from to 9
O'Clock, vaccination stations will be open in
all parts of the city where persons will
be vaccinated free.
The plan of the mayor and board is to
establish these stations in practically all
of the drug stores of the city and in all
of the engine houses, so as TO make vac
cination accessible to all. The city will
provide the physicians to perform the oper-
alton, the virus to be used and the shields
TO be worn as a protection. The mayor
has asked the medical colleges to assign
their senior class students and all others
available to the places provided. The
list of stations has not yet been made up,
but will be announced as soon as pos
sible.
WOULD STOP THE SPREAD.
While the authorities did not so announce
free vaccination will be offered to all who
desire it. If there are those that absolutely
refuse to be vacinated, it may result later
in crusade of compulsory vaccination,
as the authorities are determined to pre-
vent a further spread of the disease. Ply
sicians say that vaccination of the entire
population of the city would rid it of
smallpox in thirty days and practically
eradicate the disease for several years at
least.
The officials were moved to this plan be-
cause of the unusual virulence of the
disease this year and it's large death rate
about ~ per cent. of the cases proving fatal.
Besides, While there was no sudden increase
in the number of cases, there has been
steady, gradual increase and of a sporadic
character, which itself was menacing. The
thousands of cases were untrue. There are
only at the outside, including liberal esti-
mate of cases that may have been sup
pressed, not over 500. But the authorities
felt that conditions existed that might re-
suit in a dangerous spread of the disease
and resolved on a prompt preventive
Action along similar lines has been taken
by other municipalities with the most
wholesome results.
MORE MONEY is NEEDED.
With the additional building at the pest
house, the police making inspections for
suppressed cases, the special inspectors at
work in the infected districts looking for
new cases and ordering general cleaning
and the general practice of vaccination the
authorities believe the disease will receive
a permanent check and its quick abatement.
The arrangements for the vaccination at
the stations to be established will be sani-
tary in all respects, and the mayor gives
the assurance that all operations Will be
properly performed and the subjects pro-
tected in every way
The mayor and controller. at the request
| of the Board of Health will send to the
| Council tonight an ordinance appropriate
| ing 5000 additional for the fund to sup
press smallpox. They will ask unanimous
| consent to pass the ordinance tonight, as
| there may be need for the money before
| the Council will meet again. If unanimous
| consent is not given special meeting will
| have to be held tomorrow night to pass
| the ordinance. The work is now requiring
| a large force of men and incidental ex-
pense in maintaining guarantees, and the
additional money is absolutely necessary
| TO carry ii on.