The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-02-24
SECRETARY HATNE
WRITES LETTER
Says He Did Not Endorse Quarantine.
On ontrary advised Against it.
Vaccination the Thing.

The report from I.aurens stating
that he qua antine against Newber-
ry had been raised leaves tne impress
s.on hat it was done after receiving
the assurance from the Newberry
board Of health that the small poX
situation had so much improved that
there was practically no danger Of its
further spread" which implies, of
course, the quarantine was put on in
the first instance because Of informa-
tion from the NeWberry board Of
health thas the situation demanded or
at least justified the quarantine. The
report states: "a report from the
Newberry board of health explaining
that con 1itions relative to the small
pox situation had so much improved
that there was practically no danger
of its further spread, was laid before
the local board by the mayor with the
suggestion that the quara tine be lift
ed Or Hayne, State health officer,
was communicated with and he advis-
ed that if there had been a general
vaccination CT the people Of the city
he saw no reason for continuing the
quarantaine.
We have understood that Dr.. Hayne
said in the first place there was no
need for a quarantine but that vacci
nation was the thing needed And
that the Newberry board Of health has
letter from Dr., Hayne that he never
endorsed quarantine against Newber-
ry.
The Herald and News requested an
official statement as TO the condition
for the last issue. We understand
that there are now oALy two cases OF
small poX in NewberrS and they are
conyaIescing. 1t IS rot our puR,ose
to have any controversy about this
matter but we want the facts stated.
And we think the public is entitled to-
the facts.
DR.. Haynes Letter.
The following from the secretary Of
the State board of health is refuta
ton of the statement sent out from
Laurens in the first place that the
secretary Of the State board Of health
endorsed the quaraatine and also OF
the statement that it is now lifted af-
ter consultation with him:
Columbia, Feb. 10, 1914
Dr. Frank D. Mower, Newberry, S. c.
Dear Doctor: Your letter of Febru-
ary II, duly received. think the
town of Laurens was hasty IN declar-
ing quarantine against NeEberry
county. l knew nothing }" such GUAR
antine till saw it in the paper. l
called up Dr. R. E Hughes and told
him that the town of Laurens wealld
have to pass a compulsory vaccina-
ton law, and sent him the model law,
which ne told me would be passed
that day, and it was. | commended
him for this step and told him that l
would assist him in any WY l could.
He evidently misunderstood my posi-
ton. l do not approve of one town
quarantfning against a2otheT town for
small pox. 1t lulls the citizens of the
. town that does the quarantining into
fancied sense of security an1 pra
vents them from being vaccinated- As
you know, l disapprove of quarantine
for small pox believe for the moral
effect on the towa Of Newberry !
would institute a home to house vac
cination, leaving out only those who
can SHOW scar of previous yaccina
ton OF those who can show certificate
i from a physician that it would be dan
gerous to their health. If you will do
this, the unmerited stigma Of laxity on
the part Of the local board OF health
would be removed.
I sympathize with you in your ef-
forts to make people, even physicians,
realize that vaccination is the only
protection aginst sGslI poX.
Yours very truly,
James A Hayne, ". D.,
Secretary State Board of Health.
In another letter 10 DR.. Mower, Dr..
Hayne says: 81 have always felt that
Newberry had a more efficient BOARD
of health than any other town Of its
size in the State, and still think So.