Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-10-10
SMALL Pox SCARE
Started by Breaking Out of Rocky
Ford Barber-Vaccinatio of
School Children Ordered

A small pox scare was started IN
Rocky Ford this week that has already
resulted in an order from the board of
county commissioners directing the vac
cination of all school children and per-
sons known to have been exposed.
The scare originated on Monday. when
it was learned that Ray kerney. the well
known Elm avenue barber. had been
placed under quarantine with the dis
ease, Ray had worked all day Satur-
day and feeling some what tired at clos
ing time had taken near Turkish bath.
the result that the next morning he wac
all broken out and upon visiting physi-
clan discovered that he had small pox.
The publicity of this case drew atten-
ton to the fact that there were about
half-dozen families in town under quar-
antine for small pox and anxious parents
began to agitate the closing Of the schools,
fearing an epidemic. But they found
Health Officer Barbour was fright on the
joL" an6 in response to his importantly
the first time IN years that the state
board of health has acknowledged call
from this city-Dr. W. j. Morgan, state
medical inspector, arrived in this city on
Wednesday morning and thoroughly in
vestigated the situation. He found
fifteen cases in the Rocky Ford school
district and some in Swink and La Junta,
and in response to his recommendations
the board of county commissioners at
once issued the following order:
Whereas. There is an epidemic Of
small pox in Otero county at present,
which threatens to become unusually
dangerous; and whereas. it is desired
that the spreading of said infection may
be prevented;
Now, therefore. The board of county
commissioners of Otero county. Colorado.
sitting as board Of health. hereby direct
the vaccination of all school children at
tending public schools and all persons
who have been exposed within the coun-
ty. not subject to the control Of anv town
or city health board. with such vaccine
and at such times and places and in such
manner as may be directed and pre-
soribed by the county health officer
(H. E. Hall. M. D. and for the purpose
of enforcing such vaccination the said
county health officer. and the various
school boards throughout the county. are
empowered to compel such vaccination
of all children attending the public
schools of the county, and it shall be the
duty Of all such school boards to adopt
such rules as may be necessary to COM
pei such vaccination"
In company with DR.. Barbour the state
medical inspector attended a special meet
ing of the city council on Wednesday
evening. when he gave it as his opinion
that it would not be necessary to close
the movies or prohibit public gatherings
in Rocky Ford If the city health officer
was properly upheld and given what he
asked for. which was that strict patrol
be established about every place quaran-
tined. that a careful watch be kept upon
all public gatherings and a prompt report
be requested of all suspicious cases.
With the segregation Of all suspects.
the compulsory vaccination of all school
children, as ordered by the Rocky Ford
school board in accordance with the dir
ection of the county board of health, and
careful scrutiny of all public gatherings
both city and state health officers believe
that the disease may be stamped out be-
fore it becomes epidemic. and to this end
they should have the hearty support Of
every citizen.