Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-09
SOME DOCTORS CARELESS
Endanger Lives of Many People by
Violation of Law.
FEDERAL LAWS ARE INVOLVED
Week of Meetings of Various So
cieties to Discuss Farm, Live
stock and horticultural
Matters.
1From a staff correspondent,

DIES MONIES, Ia, Dec. S-(Speclal)-
Officials of the Iowa State Board of Health
are up in arms over recent acts of criminal
negligence and have asked the postal
authorities to assist in running down one
offender, who has possibly exposed hum
dreds to the dread disease, diphtheria.
Monday DIR. Louis Thomas, secretary OF
the board, received through the mail a
package that was loosely wrapped and
tied. On opening It he found an old
vaseline bottle with but an ordinary cork,
unsealed in any way. Within was some
batting. on the outside was a label bear
ing the information Throat test. Sus-
pected of being diphtheria." The postmark
on the exterior Of the package was obli-
terated so Il could not be made out. The
outside wrapper, however. has been disin-
fected and turned over to detectives to
ascertain IL possible the name OF the
sender. DR.. Thomas says It Is not the first
time such things have happened and he
says IL the name Of the person can be
obtained he will prosecute him to the limit
He says that besides being guilty of
criminal negligence they are guilty of
violating the postal laws Of the govern
ment in two ways-sending a bottle through
! the mails and sending contagious matter
through the mails. 1t is possible, says DR..
1nOmaS, IndI InlS improperly stdltu uOAlit
containing a diphtheria cult has infected
every letter in the mall pouch. These
letters 60 into hundreds of homes. Then,
he says, it is more than likely that anyone
so careless never took the trouble to dis
infect the outside wrapper that came out
of tine sick room.
There seems to be a Misrepresentation
about tests. TIE state board h,re exam
ines no tests. All should be sent TO the
meteorological laboratory at Iowa City and
only sent In the proper test bottles. furn-
ished by the state board through its rep
resentatives In every city. Then they
should be sent properly sealed. by express.
1t was not long ago that DIR. Thomas
received a scarlet fever test In a similarly
careless tanner. There is a possibility
both were sent by the same party. The
federal authorities here are working on
the case.
Meat Gather.
A joint session OF the Corn Belt Meat
Producers association and the Iowa State
Farmers institute opens here tomorrow
morning. President A. B. Storms of the
Iowa Agricultural college at Ames. will
discuss the question Public School Agri-
culture" Representative George c.. White
of Nevada will speak on The Farmer in
the Legislature while C. F. Curtis of the
Ames college will speak on Government
Horse Breeding"
In the afternoon Supreme Court Judge
H. f. Deemer Of Red Oak, will speak on
Country VS.. City Life-From a Business
and Social View" H. 1. Boomguarden and
S. r. Baxter, both OF Rock Rapids, will
discuss sheep breeding In Iowa. Humph-
rey Jones of Washington Court House, o.,
will talk on "Silos and Ensilage for Beef
Cattle" Prof. w. A. Cochel OF Indiana
will talk about Short Fed Cattle"
In the evening each association has its
separate banquets. During the afternoon
che Iowa Fair Managers association will
hold a meeting. where addresses viii be
delivered by Hon. A. p. Sandles of Ottawa.
O., A. C. Savage of Adair, w. M. Clark
of Marshalltown and Wayne Dinsmore Of
Ames.
state Agricultural Society.
The Iowa Agricultural society will meet
Wednesday at the rooms Of the department
Of agriculture in the capitol. President c
e. Cameron of Alta will deliver his annual
address, following which will be the annual
report of Secretary John Simpson. Ad-
dresses will be delivered by Charles Down
Ing, secretary OF tile Indiana state fair.
anG A. p. Sandles Of Ottawa. O.
The State Board OF Agriculture will meet
Thursday. Friday and Saturday to transact
business.
H~OrticuIturists Come.
The Iowa Horticultural society will also
meet tomorrow. Reports will be given by
President w. NJ Bomberger of Harlan.
Secretary Wesley Greene Of Davenport and
Treasurer Elmer NJ Reeves OF waverly.
The afternoon will be devoted to discussion
OF horticultural subjects.