The Caucasian., 1912-04-02
FOUR SCHOOLS CLOSED.
Tie High. the Central, the ParkvieW
and TeNarkana AnneN-ActiOn Un-
?xrectcd-ENplanatiOn by Health
Authorities.

raj, the IdlhNltW anu wv
kama Annex schools were dismissed
and directed to return to thP'"
homes.
The explanation for these dlsmls-
sails is given in notice to the pup
lie by the health authorities, when
ie published in this issue OF the
Caucasian.
"he closing of these schools was
suggested at conference held Mon
day morning at the office OF the
Board of Health between the MEM
bers of the board and the represen-
tatiyes of the School Board.
1t may be recalled that several
weeks since there was held a con-
ference of the members of the
School Board and the Board OF
Health and a number of citizens, at
which was discussed freely the ad-
Instability of closing the schools.
At this conference it was agreed
unanimously that the public schools
should not be closed and that the
schools for negroes which had been
.osed should be reOpened.
At this time the community had
reached A panicky stage which was
alIayed by this action of the con-
ference and which stimulated con-
|fidence in the weak-kneed.
From the date of this conference
the public have been kept posted as
to the progress of meningitis 10y re-
ports published in the newspapers.
1.-The new eases and the deaths have
averaged from 1 to 2 daily, some
times 3, the greater number of the
victims being negroes, the reports
of which were accepted philosophi-
cally.
1t is only since the death of cit
lizen, as we'll as the demise OF chill
|dren. in Shreveport and the addl-
Itional reports of the cases OF chill
af+n of parents of more or less
prominence that the panicky stage
has been revived.
! Has the meningitis situation beer
aggravated TO a limit where the
jschools should be closed?
! Although a layrnan, the, Gaueas'
Ian with all due and respectful def
terence. is of the opinion that thl!
1closing of four of the public schools
lis not warranted by the actual pre-
|vailing conditions, which may be
come aggravated by the germ ca"
riers." the boys and girls who ma,
lunconssiously infect the susceptible
with whom they may associate l
Iplay and comradeship during thel
dismissal from school.
If the theory of infection, as ha
been explained by medical authorl
ties, is reasonable, layman ma
accept this without reserve,
would seemingly follow, as a pal
Iof wisdom, that greater precautlon
lcould be maintained by keeping tn
Ipupils, especially boys, in tn
schools instead of at home whef
D they may not be restrained and
: Iroaming the streets, being perhaI
'germ carriers" may dissemlna1
the infection.
Would it not be safer to have Tn
pupils in the schools, undeh the SUI
: VIGILANCE of their teachers swho wit
luuick eye could discern the lea
lsemblance of illness by any pupil
land could report officially witfo'
delay.
If it be conceded that the closiI
of the four public schools is one
1.-The means of safeguarding again
1.-THE infection, Notwithstanding tt
fact that the pupils of these scho6
8 may roam the streets, why shou
4 mot al 1.-The schools be closed, al
A lwhy not direct the closing OF
public places, all shows, and all {
ichurches, and the suspension of t
81 street railway service?
!, IF there be one medium for infe
% Ition, it is unquestionably in t
o, lstreet cars, where all kinds OF pc
>. lple ride and for all we may kno
|some of these may be full of ger
% land bacillis and carriers" and otf
40 things invisible, of which it is 81
human being may gulp mill
or two at breath, but which Il
yr tnnately are as quickly destroyed
ola goo.i germ somewhere in our "
inards." !"
SOIL | is we'll to be cautious. 1t
- Ibeen well said and it has been /
l09 lquently demonstrated. that p
459 ldence is the better part OF vaior,
Ifrom our view it is not applica
Ito the meningitis conditions as i
- lnow prevalent in Shreveport.
gOl The disease known as menlne
800 has claimed its victims irrespec
0lof localities. and the safeguards
0 quarantines. tt is not confined
495 any class, but has invaded the m