The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-23
Epidemic of Measles Falls Upon
Entire City of Topeka.
More Cases in One Month Than
i'm Past Two Years.
OTHER DISEASES, TOO.
Schools to Be Fumigated for
Scarlet Fever and Dfphtherfa.
City Physician Hogeboom Issues
Warning to Careless People.

Measles, scarlet fever and diph-
theria
This is the trio that is raging over
| Topeka
The city sanitary department is do
ing all in its power to stamp out the
epidemic and extra men have been
pressed into service to fumigate
houses, school buildings and places
where germs are likely lurking.
According to City Physician H. B,
Hogeboom, this weather has bred
more cases of measles than at any
other time during the year and prob
ably in the history of the city
In other words, there are at the
present time 81 cases of measles in
Topeka homes. Think of it-Ninety-
one This is a bigger list of measles
cases than during the entire fiscal year
OF 19OS-9. During that year there
were only IS cases of measles during
the entire year. And now there are
almost twice that many in one month.
Dry Weather Cause.
Dr- Hogeboom includes the dry
and warm weather in the list of
causes for such an alarming nI1nnher
of measles cases. But he also sc-
counts for it because of the action of
the families over the city in which
the cases have originated.
me city ordinance says that after
the city officials have been notified
OF measles case, card must be
attached to conspicuous place on
the mouse. This has been done in
every case by the city officials but
on account of misplaced pride,
some of the afflicted families have
disobeyed the city ordinance and have
snatched the cards from the houses.
BY doing this all precaution is re-
moved and everyone who visits the
place is endangered. When the case
has been cured and all is we'll accord
ing to the attending physician the
card is removed-but not until the
and gives out the permission in writ
ing.
Another reason of the epidemic of
measles is the fact that parents send
their children to school just as soon
as the doctor says that case is cured.
The city ordinances say that eight
days must elapse before a child can
return to school and mix with COM
panions. And before the board of
education will accept a child he or
she must have a written permit from
the city to enter.
The people are disregarding this
ordinance and after tearing down the
cards they send the children to school
1t has been on account of this care
Iessnesa and lawlessness that the
spread of the disease has become so
prevalent in the city.
What to Do for Measles.
In short here is the program after
the measles breaks out: Call doctor.
Send for and inform the city sanitary
officials. Allow a card to be placed On
the house. Leave the card there until
the doctor pronounces the case out of
danger and then notify the city Of
f1cials. The card will be removed by
them and a permit given for the child
to return to school eight days after the
removal of the card.
The diphtheria and scarlet fever
scares are just arriving. There are
about six cases of scarlet fever and six
of diphtheria in the city. Most of these
cases have occurred in the Grant and
Sumner schools.
The city officials have ordered the
buildings opened tonight and fumi-
gators will go over them. The work
of removing all traces of the disease in
these big school buildings will take
place during the night and it is thought
that it will be safe for the children co
return in the morning.
This dry warm weather is a constant
breeder Of all such contagious diseases
and the city officials are anxious that
the people take every precaution and
watch every warning.