The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-03
PLEASE DO IT.
That Is Attitude of Board of
Education.
Will Not Attempt to Force Vac
cinatiOn in Schools.
A LIVELY DISCUSSION.
Members Are at Variance on the
Question.
Disease Has Been ViruIent Form
in Topeka.
A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

The teachers of the city schools will
! recommend today to all parents Of
school children that the youngsters be
vaccinated. They will recommend,
mind you, not demand.
This was the gist of the action
taken Monday night by the board or
education, and it was due mainly to
the stand taken by Judge T. F. Gar
yer, Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter and
P. w. Griggs who were opposed to
compulsory vaccination that the order
of the board. today did not demand
vaccination
Dr. r. S. Magee viewed the situation
in a serious light, and limited that if
a smallpox epidemic should break out
in the city schools and run into the
winter that the city might be placed
under a federal quarantine and that
would not be desirable thing for the
welfare of the commercial interests
of the city.
The cause of the argument relative
to vaccination was the resolution
which the city board of health passed
last week. which reads as follows:
1--WE, the board of health of the city
of Topeka, on account of the past cpl
demic of smallpox, and owing to the
fact that there are in our city a. few
remaining cases, and owing to the fact
that a case of smallpox has developed
in a pupil of the State street school,
think it necessary for the good of the
public health and the stamping out of
the disease that it should be compul-
sorry on all children attending the To-
peka public schools to be successfully
~. c. STEWART.
Secretary of the City Board of Health.
''P. S.-Smallpox in family of teach
er in Oakland school this afternoon"
After Judge Carver had made the
motion that was finally passed to the
effect that the teachers be notified to
recommend to the parents that their
children be vaccinated, DR.. Magee ex-
pressed in no uncertain terms his at
titude towards the question.
Il don't want to cause ALARM said
he, "but out of SO cases of smallpox
we have had 20 deaths. 1t has been the
most virulent form of the disease ever
experienced in Topeka AS our super
intendent says two schools have already
been affected Boys and girls attend
ing both the State and Oakland schools
have been exposed and within week
or ten days we will see what the con-
sequences will be-
This humdrum talk that has been |
going around the last few days is sim !
ply slaptrap Clean antiseptic vacci- |
nation hurts nobody. I tell you it is
suicide to enter the winter with this
condition facing us unless we compel
Forty per cent deaths
Just think of it!
"A government representative has |
been investigating conditions here. We |
are in danger of a federal quarantine.
Laying aside all prejudices there is no |
danger in vaccination. Our duty IN
this civilized and enlightened day IS to |
vaccination.
eff death comes and we haven't done /
it we are criminally responsible.
DR. Van Horn: IT have conferred
with Dr. S. J. Crumbine, secretary of
The state board of health, and 1 can
say that if another epidemic of small
box occurs we will be placed under a
strict quarantine 1t will affect the en-
ire city. and we should do our part
n preventing the cause for such stu
ation The school board has the right J.
% compel vaccination; no court Wilt
-everse the action unless there is no
smallpox pending"
Mrs. McCarter: st speak as one
who has had some years of life and
I am very much opposed
@ enforcing this vaccination now.
While I am a great admirer of DR.;
Magee and his opinions, as usual
hing, 1 believe that my physicians
would say otherwise Vaccination
vculd produce discomfort and pain or
perhaps even DEATH
P. w Griggs: 1t is question in
nv mind whether this board has any
light to load up with this response
,ility Why don't the city board of
health take the responsibility them
elves? I am opposed to vaccination
know of one case where two girls
we're vaccinated and one took small
,ox Two physicians said it was
,rought on by vaccination
Dr. Van Horn: 1.-The government
,uts itself on record as advising and
equiring vaccination. The principals
f the homeopathic school are opposed
O vaccination. The government has
lot recognized the school on this ac%
cunt I would suggest that a COM
nittee of the school board meet with
)r. Crumbine and the city physician
nd come to some understanding.
f---r, <-r--
ant to vaccinate the children than
he grown people? I don't believe in
on a child what we wouldn't
nflict on ourselves"
On motion Of DR.. Magee, the presi-
ent was requested to appoint a com
nittee to confer with the state and city |
cards of health relative to the situa-
ion and report at a meeting of the