Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-02-22


main about the same as to scarlet
fever, there is disposition on thu
part of those in authority to see thai
rigid quarantine is observed. The
fact that we have scarlet fever in oul
midst in a malignant form, has had
tendency TO stir our people up as they
have not been stirred up for years.
From now on until this disease is
wiped out, let the quarantine be
maintained as laid down by our board
of health, which is as follows:
The house placarded; no one
allowed to go in or out of quaran'
tined house during the time it is sc
placarded; house and contents disin.
fected by the owner or occupant
under the direction of the board Of
health; isolation of the patient and
quarantine of children associated with
or in the family with the patient fol
10 days after scaling of the skin OF
the patient and disinfection of the
premises. Physicians allowed to go in
and out of quarantined premises,
spread of the disease. Burial Of those
dying of scarlet fever shall be within
twenty-four heurS after death the re-
mains wrapped in a sheet saturated
with solution of bichloride of mer-
curT. Burial must be private.
It's the duty of every citizen to re-
port any violation of this law of which
he may know; no matter whom the
person is, nor how high place he
may hold in the community, should
he violate the quarantine law, let him
take his medicine. Excuses of any
kind "don't CO." under existing con-
ditions.
Now, isn't it fact that large
crowds of children brought together
at this time, helps to spread the dis
ease? If so, then why not prohibit
this during the time of rigid quaran-
tine?
Isn't it a fact that large crowds OF
men, women and children help to
spread disease in time of epidemics !?
If SO, why continue to help the spread
of scarlet fever in our city in this way9
Our people need information along
these lines. 1t will be no hardship to
use little caution for month or six
weeks; far better than to lay many of
our children away in the cemetery for
ever.
AS the PILOT stated last week, if
the spread of the disease is not
stopped by present methods let us
prohibit
All public gatherings.
Close the schools.
Close the churches.
Close the Sunday schools.
Opera houses.
Moving picture theatres.
Skating Kinks, etc.
To say by doing this that the con-
ditions will not be helped is foolish
ness. 1t is always done in enlignt-
ened communities and why not in
Wausau?
The Pilot year ago, tried to make
our people see that an extraordinary
effort had to be made at that time TO
prevent spread of the fever in a
malignant form this winter. We
were roundly censured by few who
thought that it was not necessary to
do more than was being done, because
the disease was here in such light
form. This inactivity permitted all
who desired so to do, to visit placarded
houses to go and come as they pleased;
to go to all kinds of gatherings, etc.
We are now reaping the harvest OF
that gross carelessness.
Now, we should stamp out the dis
ease. 1t can be done. 1t is done in
other places. 1t needs men of courage
to do it; men who will not listen to
the excuses of those who ought to be
first to doff their coats and get into
the fight for the defenseless children.
There is one phase of this question
which needs attention and immediate
attention at that. Many towns in
Marathon county are hot beds of scar
let fever. In the town of Edgar
there are many cases and they are on
the increase. A rigid quarantine
must also be observed in those places
and under the direction of the author
tiles, fumigate thoroughly. The
state board of health should be called
upon to assist in this work. What is
the board for if not to render assist
ance in cases of this kind? It's secre-
tary, Mr.. Harper, at the opera house
last Thursday evening, talked long
upon the carelessness of our armies in
regard to health; talked long upon
typhoid fever, the house
fly, ETC., but gave only few moments
to the real question which is agitat-
ing the minds of our people today.
He could have spent his entire time
on the one question of scarlet fever.
Our people need this talk; need to be
told in the strongest language possible
their duty. DIR. Harper could have
entered into minute details concern
ing the spread of the disease; adequate
quarantine; how to absolutely wipe
out the epidemic; how epidemics in
surrounding towns should be taken
care of, ETC., but he did not do this.
much to the disappointment of many
4 good start has been made in Wau-
sau the past week. The local board of
health has notified our citizens that
from now on until the disease is wiped
out strict quarantine will be main
tanned. The doctors have promised
TO wear cloaks when visiting patients
who are afflicted with contagious dis
eases: the library has been closed.
Let the good work continue.