Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1905-01-24

valescent and every pustule that had appeared
on my body during my illness had shielded
Mrs. Mercer who had been with me through my
illness at the hospitable home of H. b. and Z. ,.
Iser, prepared that day to return to the hotel
to be with our daughter who is quite sick
with vaccinated arm We took every precau-
ton with igatug and acid solution baths and
new clothing to guard against any exposure to
the families and the guests of my sis ers who
own the hotel had had charge of the small
pox quarantine regulation practically ever
since it made its appearance in the city two
years ago, and thought knew what to do and
how to do it. Monday following officer Bruba-
ker came to me and stated that DR.. Ware had
sent him to inquire about Mrs. MERGERS trans
fer to the hotel. was shocked and incensed at
the apparent presumption that l would take any
risk 10 such case and needed the guidance and
advice of an over officious official" What
said to Brubaker was plenty, and entirely too
much. warned Ware, through Brubaker, not
to interfere with Mrs Mercer or let anything be
done that would annoy her, coupled with threats
that a sane man ought never to indulge, and
cautioned Brubaker to deliver my message ver-
batim.
At the same time explained to the officer
that by the next day would have been in little
longer than the average case, had taken every
precaution, repeatedly fumgated the rooms and
bedding and wearing apparel. Had bathed in
carboic acid solution and with carbolic soap had
made relentless war the germs, aud that
wanted to take the extra precau ion of using the
formaldehyde machine, bought by the council
since my illness, before leaving the house the
next day. Tuesday, January Path, twenty-seven
days after was stricken with the disease (and
about seven days longer than the average case
has been conined) The machine did not come
and about o'clock DR.. Ware phoned me that he
had received my message and after reading con-
siderably from the recent rulings of the State
Board of Health, stated that he would bring the
formaldehyde machine down the next morning
about o'clock He came about 9 but without
the machine I met him on the front porch and
when he stated that he did not bring the ma
chine realized, or believed, he had made up his
mind to show his authority, and although had
not seen him for a month | believed, and still
believe he had concluded to annoy me and that
whatever he found that he would exercise his
official" discretion and postpone the fumi-
CATION. At any rate, stated to him that
whether he consented not that |
going up town, and walked out with him.
had previously had permission from the mayor,
who is chairman Of the health committee. had
also talked with my physician, Dr. E. j. Dor.
miuy, by phone, aud explained that had used
an abundance of dsinfectant fumgating
teria soap and water, and that I thought
l was as free from smallpox germs
any man in town, and that l would go
out today" He said he thought there would be
no risk or danger, so 1 went up town on the
authority above mentioned, and on the knowl-
edge that had taken greater precautions than
l had required of any other patient in scores of
cases I had handled. Ware had driven Cir
cuitous route back 10 town and had coached his
policeman and deliberately planned to humil-
late me and exhibit his authority. Mayor D. w.
Paulk had just left the city for Nichols
and the policeman had no higher authority than
councilman Ware, and did his bidding. AS a law
abiding citizen, submitted to this question: BILE
authority after it became apparent that l could
not see the mayor see DR.. Dorminy, whom
petent physicians to pass on my case.
DIR. Ware is good citizen, one of the most
prominent and safe members of the city council,
aud a man who would, under ordinary crcum-
stances, be reasona BILE and fair, but bigger and
better men have been led into grevious error by
vain mutations from petty authority, coupled
with vicious counsel.
Begging the readers pardon,
Sincerity,
J. E. MERCER.
y