Evening journal., 1905-02-06
BOARD WILL NOT
CLOSE SCHOOLS
Fifteen Cases Of Scarlet Fever
Reported in Various Parts
of City
HOUSES WILL Be PLlCARNEB
Special to Tho Evening Journal.

New Castle. Feb. 6.--According TO re-
ports made by Drs. Wertenbaker, |
Kuntz and Stewart at n special meet /
ing Of the Board Of Education held on
saturday night there are fifteen cases
OF scarlet fever in the city.
The meeting was called by President
I1liason for the purpose OF discussion
the advisabnity Of closing the public
schools on account OF the presence Of
the fever and local physicians were
tnvited 10 be present to express their
views on the subject. Besides Presi-
dent Eliason there were present Messrs.
Clewel Manlovc, Montgomery Phil
lips. Carrick. Jamison and Superin-
tendent Halloway. After discussing the
situation in q thorough manner. the
board decided that It would not he
necessary to close the schools at the
present time. but the physicians de-
clared that quarantine should be
maintained IA order that an epidemic
of the disease might not follow the
present outbreak Dr. Kuntz stated in
reply TO q question that he had seven
cases of scarlet fever. all OF a mild
form, under his charge. He had not
quawntined amy families so far as it
is a difficult matter to keep the head OF
the house at home when his family de-
pends upon him Tor support He be-
lieved that a quarantine should be en-
forced and that persons I'm whose homes
scarlet fever existed should permit no
visitors. He did not think it necessary
to close the schools at present. In re-
lation to the head of the house con-
tinulng at work the physician said that
ne should have his clothing fumlgated
and remove to another place until the
disease had subsidized In his own home.
Held Like Opinions.
Or. Wertenbaker stated that he
would not advise closing the schools at
the present time. but thought that "a
quarantine should be established at
the houses which scarlet fever had IN
vaded. The seven cases he had under
his charge were not Of a serious ma
ture although two of them have all the
marks OF the disease which includes
gathering In the ears and which often
occasions deafness in after pears.
DIR. Stewart colncided with his BROTH
er physicians. though admitted that
when he first heard OF the malady he
was alarmed. He stated that II at
tackled by scarlet fever one had better
have the malady when a child and be-
come immune as in after life the ef-
fects were likely 20 be more serious as
had often been demonstrated. Tt was
q SERIOUS matter 10 deprive children OF
three or four weeks of instruction and
but little would be lost IL no action was
taken toward closing schools for anOth-
er week at least.
MIR. Clewell said that the people Of
New Castle were usually very careful,
as this city had had less cases Of
.t..a
many cities Of similar Size He be-
lieved that AZ there Is a. quarantine to
be established that IL should be en-
forced 10 the full extent OF the law and
that the schools should remain open.
III YOU close the schools" said Mr.
Clewell. 'and let the children run at
large they will gather upon the ice an
crowds of fifty and one hundred and
will be IN greater danger than n they
were IN the school room. IL makes no
matter what we do we win be sem
tenced any way"
Il was finally decided that the ply
sicians should keep in touch with Prof
fessor Holloway and inform him OF
che houses an which scarlet fever ex-
lists and Of amy new cases which may
develop. BY such action the superin-
tendent will know just how to act in
case any children attend the schools
from houses where the malady claims
"a victim. The physicians will be sup
piled with printed postal cards and as
soon as a new case develops they viii
mail one 10 the principal acquainting
him with the fact.
People Alarmed.
Despite the action OF the Board OF
Education and the statement OF phy-
sicians should keep I'm touch with Pro
many parents who have children at
tending the schools and as a conse-
quenoe many will keep their little ones
at home and of OF the streets for a
time. In Wilmington at present there
are number OF cases OF the malady
but physicians report that in most in.
stances an Of tho patients are suffer.
iug from a miider form of the afnictlon
In all Its history New Castle has beer
particularly fortunate an being IRE,
from contagious maladies and II q
the general belief Of those who are no
easily alarmed by conditions such a,
the present one that n due precaution,
are taken there will be no general cpl
demic Of scarlet fever.
No Strict Quarantine.
~, In Wilmington the local Board o
Health has not the power TO establish
strict quarantine IN cases OF scarle
fever beyond upon the patient who 4
suffering from the malady. Person
living in the house are permitted 4
50 albout their daily business, but chill
dren are not permitted 10 attend an
public schools.
City Ice Boat Was Here.
City Ice Boat No. 3 which sank nea
tho BrealSwater yesterday is wo
known IN this haH'bor. having been 4
port several times this winter Tn
boat preceded the ferry-boat Goshe
on her trip down the river on Thursda,
hast breaking a way for her as "a
down as Reedy Island
Visited by sleet Storm.
New Castle was treated by anoths
touch Of winter weather last night a.,
this morning asud as a result trolle
travel was considerably delayed. Sic,
accompanied by rain fell duri-rg n
eariy evening and continued at isttc
vaAs throughout the night Overhea
electric wires and trolley tracks becan
covered with ice and IL was impose,b
Tor cars to make any time
Three Pc, sons Immersed.
Lareely attended services We're he
in the First Baptist Church last eve,
inS AND despite The storm the eed.rco vi
crowded 10 the doors. Three pe-so,
were inmersed