The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-05-25
Small pox at Norwich University

Wednesday afternoon of last week
the village was thrown into great ex-
element upon the announcement of
Drs. Mayo and Hubbell that small
box was apparent among the student
body at Norwich University. Upon
investigation the facts have been
found to be as follows:
Cadet l.. W. Smith of Greenfield,
Mass, while upon a recent visit
home contracted an illness from his
mother, who was sick with what the
Greenfield physicians called chicken
box; when Smith broke out, Surgeon
Whitney of the University stan, was
not satisfied that it was chickenpox
and summoned DR.. Holton OF Brattle-
boro. who came to Mortified and d.
agnosed the disease as chickenpox
and Smith was put under light quar-
antlne for some days. Later V. s.
Belyea also of Greenfield, and Smiths
roommate, became i'll and within a
few days developed what was un-
doubtedly small pox. DR.. Whitney
was absent with the baseball team,
Capt. Tompkins was with the polo
team at West Point and President
Spooner was away on business. Dean
II. r. Roberts took charge OF affairs
in very able manner. The absent
professors were telegraphed for, the
town health officers and the state
board OF health notified. The two ca
diets were at once taken in charge
and within an hour after the discov-
cry of the disease DR.. Mayo person
ally conducted their removal to the
little house on the outskirts OF the
village, erected for this purpose some
years ago: where they were given
and are receiving every possible care
and medical attention. Cadet Smith
is entirely recovered and Belyea is
coming along in splendid shape.
Health Officer Kent went at once
to the University and disinfected as
much as it was possible to do with
the men in the buildings. He also
closed the room occupied Dy Belyea
and Smith and fumigated it. All ca
Gets were ordered to remain on the
| University grounds until the arrival
of Capt. Tompkins and DR.. Whitney
Thursday morning.
BY direction of the Trustees of the
University Captain Tompkins tool
command and communicated with Ad
jutant General Tillotson and through
him with Governor Mead and the
War Department and within "a hour.
Captain Tompkins received oficia
notice that all necessary arrange
ments had been made for the placing
of the entire corps of cadets and men
bers of the faculty, under strict mill
tary quarantine discipline. The tent:
and all equipments arrived, Saturda!
night, and Sunday morning show
ed the upper parade small United
States Military post. Four cooks
from Fort Ethan Allen have beer
hired to provide food for the men
the United States Government has
sent DIR. Simpson of the u. S. Ma
rine hospital at Philadelphia here
who will direct the sterilization anC
fumigation of all buildings, clothes
holdings, books, etc. DIR. StimpsoT
will also advise the local physician
what should be done.
Major Wilson, u. S. A. of Fort Eth
an Allen, accompanied by a steward
arrived yesterday morning. Majol
Wilson will advise concerning the
dealing with a possible spread OF thu
disease and supervise the construc
ton of field hospitals, one IN the ma
ture OF a detention hospital for sus
poets and the other for the care o
pronounced cases, II any should de
velope
Sibley tents from the State armor!
are used, which are equipped will
camp cot beds. mattresses, blankets
washstands, etc. Each tent is sup
piled with Sibley stove for heating
purposes. The camp has also beer
wired for electricity by members o
the Signal corps company.
Every man has been thorough,
fumigated and each evening viii
pass through the hands of the examiI
ing physicians and II any suspects
appear they will be isolated at once
Provision has also been made fol
those suffering from any non.contag
ious disease which is entirely sepa
rate from the contagious wards,
The cadets, with but few exception.
should receive the highest commendl
ton, for they willingly went into
quarantine and by their cheerfulness
and spirit of good.fellowshlp have
aided in every possible way the dis
agreeable task OF the officials. AL
most week has passed and not an
other suspect even has appeared and
IL is earnestly hoped that the prompt
and energetic efforts OF all concern
ed, have met with success. Certain
ly the officials have taken every pos
sible precaution and there Is very
little probability that any epidemic
will follow. While IL is hoped the di
sease can be confined to the two
cases, yet that seems hardly prob
able.
Academic work will commence as
soon as complete fumigation has beer
finished and drills will be resumed
The fact that the entire faculty mem
bers have gone into voluntary quar-
antine and cast their lot with the ca
diets, must make the men feel thel
are not alone In their distress a
least, and Il should give a feeling o
comfort to the fathers and mothers
who are no doubt anxious for the ab
sent son.
President Spooner who did not re
celve the message In time to return
until afteh the men were all In quar-
aniine, will not go into camp, as Il 4
quite important for an Official to b
outside 10 transact whatever busines
Is necessary. Uuon going to press a
II o'clock. there was a clear record
no suspects and the two men are d,
ing fnely.-Northneld News.