Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-12-26
COMMUNICATION
FROM DIR. dixon

DR.. Cameron Shultz, secretary of
the local board OF health. has receiv-
ed a stirring communication from
State Health Commissioner DIR Samuel
q. Dixon, relating to the outbreak of
typhoid fever in this city, which VIII
no doubt have the effect of arousing
the people to true sense of their dan
ger. causing them to institute pro-
per investigation to determine wheth-
er the unhealthful conditions are due
to neglect and to adopt measures that
will compel the observance of all the
precautions known to science.
In the several articles relating to the
subject this paper has only reflected
the views of the physicians. In tone
these articles, it will be recalled, were
various. II one physician was pes
simistic in his views another tried to
minimize the outbreak and both SEEM
ed conscientious in the matter. Pre-
vious to the present the local regis
trar's report showed no more than
eighteen cases on the list.
Meanwhile the impression got abroad
that there was a larger number of ty-
phoid fever cases. The evidence came
to the people in way that seemed to
carry conviction with it. They became
distrustful and alarmed and in order
that remedy might be applied before
the state of affairs had lasted too long
some one wrote to DR.. Dixon, asking
that he look into the matter. DR.. Dix
on, however, had already the subject
under consideration.
Several weeks ago, it will be recall
ed, the State health commissioner
wrote to the local board of health and
wanted to know what it was doing to
trace the disease to source. Mean
while, the number of eases seemed to
increase. During the last ten days,
especially, new cases have been report
ed daily Two deaths from the disease
have occurred and in several cases the
patients are now lying very low.
1t was learned from the local regis
trar, Saturday, that during November
and in December thus far there have
been forty cases reported A leading
physician Sunday stated that he had
three new cases, which would have to
be reported Monday. How many cases
may be reported by other physicians is
probematical. DR.. Dixon is under the
impression that there are nearer sew
euty-five cases of typhoid fever than
forty in Danville and he seems to be
pretty we'll informed on the status of
the outbreak.
1t was at first stated that there is a
prevalence of intermittent and malari-
al fever in Danville as we'll as Of ty
phoid fever. 1t now appears, however.
that at least in some of the cases it is
only difference of opinion among the
doctors. The cases are not all we'll de-
fined ones and what one physician
diagnoses as malarial fever another
would call typhoid. The fact remains.
however, that typhoid fever is pre-
valent and the lay mind derives little
consolation from the fact that in few
cases of fever some of the character
istc symptoms are lacking. 1t is evid-
emily a time for some sane action,
which can not be too prompt.
DIR. Dixon in his communication to
the secretary urges the board of health
to proceed at once with searching
investigation to determine whether or
not any of the doctors fail to report
the full number of cases of typhoid
fever under their treatment; if any
are found guilty of such negligence the
board Of health is instructed to pro-
ceed at once to prosecute them.
DR.. Dixon advises that the milk as
we'll as the water used for drinking
and culinary purposes be boiled. He
also advises against the eating of un
cooked vegetables or food stuffs of any
sort, as all such are possible source
of infection.
! He strongly recommends that in all
cases the use of milk bottles and con-
tainers used by milk dealers be forbid
den. 1t is positively forbidden that
these bottles be used in houses where
typhoid fever exists.
The State health commissioner also
directs that all houses wherein ty-
phoid fever exists be placarded.