Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-21
BOY,DYING Of
MENINGITIS,
BARRED BY
HOSPITALS
Clarence Bigby, Rigid in the
ThroeS of Dread MaIady, at
Rescue Mission.
ClTYS NEGLECT BIDS
WELCOME TO EPIDEMIC

Rigid in the delirium of CerebrO- Spl-
nal meningitis, fourteen year-old Clar-
ence Bigby lies to-day in a bare and
cherries room in the Union Rescue
mission, 234 Marietta street denied ad-
mission to any Of the city's hospitals
and barred from the private institu-
lions by the poverty of his parents.
Why is this unfortunate lad, in the
clutch of one Of the most feared and
fearsome diseases known to medicine,
forced to remain on a hard mission bed
without the care of a nurse and without
hospital treatment?
Why is the city so incautious Of its
own health that it permits, almost in its
very center. the nucleus for an epidemic
that is devastating in its nature once it
gets start?
| These are questions that were asked
to-day by physicians and others whose
attention was called to the pitiable case.
Or. Benson Scores City
"The city cares for its smallpox pa
TENTS and its diphtheria patients-why
not for those who are afflicted with this
disease, which Is admittedly infectious
and whose mortality is so to 60 per
cent enormously I'm excess Of smallpox
and other contagious diseases against
which we guard so carefully inquired
DIR. c. F. Benson, Of the Fourth Ma
tional bank building one of the physi-
clans called to attend the case.
1T is most evident that some place
should be provided by the city for cases
! of this sort" he continued The boy,
| lying where he can not be isolated,
forms a most serious menace to tho
health of the city Ignoring the hu-
manitarion aspect. it would seem that
the city for its own protection would
lake steps to isolate the disease under
proper medical care.
TT is not unlikely that many persons
have been exposed to the disease al
ready. This form of meningitis is
notably epidemic. Cities and districts
over which the mysterious blight Of
| this disease has spread have suffered
terribly.
Wants Hospitals Opened.
II can not understand why the case
should not receive treatment at the
Hospital for Contagious Diseases or the
| Grady hospital. ono room or a ward
might be set apart without rendering
liable to the contagion any of the re-
mainder Of the institution"
The Bigby family. consisting OF the
| father and mother and four of the FIVE
children, came to Atlanta two weeks
ago from Macon. Bigby is a mechanic,
but he has been III and unable to find
steady employment in this city and the
meager family funds have dwindled al
most to nothing. With their children
the parents were compelled to seek
cheap lodging at the mission.
Clarence was taken suddenly sick six
days ago. Two days later he lapsed into
a delirium from which he has not
emerged since. Several physicians were
called, but as soon az they noted thu
boys condition their advice was.
Take him to a hospital; we can do
nothing for him here"
Lads Body Becomes Rigid.
No hospital could be found that
would receive the stricken lad. Mean
while Clarence steadily grew worse and
day the physicians were able 20 picl,
mn hum lilt bCu dS Ll4bAE IL ne were a
wooden statue, so intense was the rig
idity of the muscles which drew mis-
head back in the grewsome position
characteristic of meningitis victims.
The boys days and nights are filled
with pain and delirium When his
muscles are not tortured with the
cramps that the disease inflicts he is
| ceaselessly tossing about and thrashing
his arms. How long before the deli
rum will give way 10 the stupor and
then the complete coma that ordinarily
| follows is conjectural
Serum Aids Little.
AntitoXin furnished by the state da-
partment or health was administered,
but the disease had taken such fism
/ hold hat the effect Of the serum can
be hardly more than to mitigate is
ravages.
why couldn't they have taken him
in somewnere2" cried Mrs. Bfeby. The
/ deep lines of worry in her haggard ia @
and the eyes red with weeping told II
/ the strain and the grief which have
burdened her in the week OF sorrow.