Bisbee daily review., 1906-03-24
a. h- . SMALLPOX SCARE NEEDLESS 8rOdefick Reports There Are But Three Cases
 In BiSbee

Instead of there being an epidemic of smallpox in Bisbee as some people have been led to believe through street talk. it developed at a special meeting of the city council yesterday that but three cases exist at the pres Ierh time within the, city limits. .
 Called especially to take up the smallpox matter, the council tele- phoned for City Physician Frederick and City Attorney Merritt. both of whom discussed the matter with the council, the fact developing by Mer- ritt's reading of the health ordinance that it is the duty of the board of health more than the city physician to look after contagious diseases
 After threshing the matter out carefully on motion of Alderman ! Sowle the board of health was in structed to proceed immediately to isolate the smallpox cases ss well as l to stamp out the disease in this city as soon as it can be done. The mem I bers of the board are Mayor Taylor,
 Hogan, Morris. Devine and Dr. Brod- erick
 After Mayor Taylor opened the l session Scwle stated that reports cases were not being looked after properly. and that he would like to have the council look into the mat ter. Dr. Frederick was called on and said that there are but three cases in the city. and all these quarantined.
 The first came from Texas. and be- fore 1t was discovered had spread to others. who had not been affected
 but carried it still to others. He went into detail regarding the cases.
 Morris asked about reported case
 in the Kinsey house, and Dr, Brod
 erick replied that it was. not one. of smallpox. He remarked that rumors
 have reached him to the effect that
 there are thirty or forty cases in the city. which rumors were groundless.
 An important announcement was
 made by Dr. Frederick to the. effect that those who wanted to be vaCcinat- ed can be attended to at his office free of charge. the city standing the expense.
 City Attorney Merritt here read the health ordinance, surprising mem for the first time that upon their shoulders rests the responsibility of attending to the smallpox cases. They are the only ones having the power toI act primarily in matters of this kind.
 It is the duty of every physician to report to the health board every con- tagious and infectious disease as soon as it comes under their attention. Physicians are given twenty-four hours in which to make these re- ports. ..-
 In view of the large amount of street talk coming to his attention Dr. Frederick asked the members of the council if they had any complaint to make regarding the manner in which he was performing his duties. which brought replies from Mayor Taylor and Alderman SowIe, bosh stating that they are satisfied with his ser vices.
 Mayor Taylor called attention to the city pesthouse, saying that it is time | the city had an understanding with the county supervisors regarding the payment of expenses incurred by | the city in treating patients. who are properly county charges. Once be fore the city tried to get the county | to put up. and was met with a refusal. |
 Al! the members of the council en- gagged in the discussion of smallpox the feeling being that if there is, anyt need of drastic measures to head of an epidemic they should be taken | without delay. The general inpres-t sion was that reports were beingI greatly exaggerated.
 Mayor Taylor called attention to the | condition of the alley in the rear of I the postoffice and the Muheim build | ings in Brewery Gulch. He will meet this afternoon at i o'clock with the | members of the street committee to | investigate the condition of the alley. I
 A meeting of the council was called | for Monday evening. at 7:3o o'clock to take up street paving matters and 10 arrange for the sale of the sewer bonds.
 Following yesterdays meeting Dr. Frederick sought out Health Officer Spaulding and asked him if he had made statements as credited in an evening paper. Sparkling made a written statement that he had not.