New Britain herald., 1917-06-07
LOCAL PHYSICIAN
 MAY RE ARRESTED
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(Continued from First Page.) 1 alarmed at, it is claimed. However the parents were suspicious as to the nature of the disease and suggested
 that he report 1t to Dr. Griswold
 health officer of the town of Berlin
 This. it is alleged he promised to dc
 at once hut no report was filed. Makes Wrong Diagnosis. 1 Nearly two weeks passed and still
 no action was taken. Finally the ru- mor that there was case of small Griswold and he Immediately started an investigation. Having found out the name of the attending physician
 he called him up on registration day to ascertain the authenticity of the re- port The New Britain doctor an- nounced over the telephone that the case was smallpox in . very mild form. Asked why he did not report and have the house quarantined he re- piled he had been too busy and fur ther could not do 1t that day as he was serving as one of the registrars, pr. Griswold claims. pr. Griswold went mmediately to the home of the pa tient and, on examining the girl af- flicted discovered that instead of chickenpox 1t was smallpox and he at once put the house under quarantine. The girl. who was nearly recovered from the disease when the examina- ton was made, showed. according to pr. Griswold, distinct traces which proved conclusively that his decision was correct.
 Others stxicken With It.
 On registration day. First Select man Alling Of the town of Berlin who had charge of the registration board went out to look up a young man who was reported sick and had not presented himself at the polls. On finding him MT. filling noticed the mans face was covered with ap erup- tion which seemed to him suspicious Getting away as soon as possible he located the health ofllcer and ordered m investigation. This young man was Harry McKeon. brother of the girl whose sickness had been diagnosed as chickenpox. He was sub- jected to g thorough examination and told he was . victim of smallpox. This was before the qxarantine was declared. The Now Britain doctor. who had been attending him for several days previous also had told him thAt he was afflicted with the same disease his sister had and there was no caused for alarm, 1t h alleged.
 Visitors Admitted to House.
 Meantime both he and his sister were allowed to go about the house and even to the village if they 90 de- sired. Visitors and friends of the family were continually admitted to the home with the result that . large number of people have been exposed. Another sister. although 1t has not been definitely ascertained. is report ed as being i'll with the same ail- ment. In order to prevent a general spreading and an epidemic, vaccina- ton of fifty young women who are employed at the Paper Goods conn pany In the room where the patients were at work, has been ordered. AL though every precautionary measure has been taken 1t is anticipated, ow- ing to the large number exposed. new cases will be brought to light within Q few days.
 County Ohlcer Appealed to.
 In reply to a letter sent by Dr. Gris- wold to the county health oflcer at Hartford stating the facts and the conditions relative to the epidemic and the, alleged negligence of the Now Britain doctor the following letter has been received:
 Roger M. Griswold, M. D.
 Health Ohicer, Kensin9ton, Conn.
 Dear Nr:-
 You have the authority to
 order the general vaccination in
 cases where conditions are simt- lar to those reported in your letter of June 5th. I think Dr. -should be prosecuted If the facts are as you stats. Can you prove that he attended both cases, or Is 1t merely a rumor? Where should the prosecution be brought? Have you town court or do you bring them before jus tices? I will bring tho prosecu- ton if you have evidence. Yours very truly,
 DANIEL A. MARKHAM Dr. Griswold stated this morning that he had plenty of evidence but is undecided as to what action he will ] take.
 Wide CEific1Gm Heard. FeOQlo or tho town aI0 up m arms, all procfaiming the alleged laxity of l the health of1cer and criticizing the ! methods used to combat smallpox. They claim that drastic measures will have to be adhered to before
 the trouble is over. To prove this l assertion one resident cited this ina stance. Yesterday afternoon 1t was
 reported to Dr. Griswold that an Italian woman living outside of the l town had been stricken with the
 disease. He went to the woman's
 home where he found her in the yard
 chopping wood and apparently in the
 best of health according to his inves- | tiRatiQu and ranOrt which accordine