The Julesburg grit-advocate. (Julesburg, Colo.) 1907-1972, 1917-05-24
SMALLPOX SCARE
HITS JULEBURG
Health OaScers are Taking Ev.
cry PrecautiOn to Keep the
Disease from Spread
ing in Community

natural in such cases, raise fumOrs
have been set afloat in consequence
thereof. The authorities in charge of
matters have been taking every pre-
caution for the safety of our citizens
and have succeeded wonderfully, al
though we admit that portion of
their actions has been more or less
criticised by some. thinking that per-
haps action was taken too hurriedly,
and that by so doing, false impress
sion has been created with the public
Ms to the real situation which really
exists in Julesburg-this being preva-
lent on account of the extra ordinary
measures which have been taken.
At any rate the Board of Health
has recently taken it upon themselves
to issue rigid orders, with the express
purpose in view, we believe, of not
wishing to take any chances of the
epidemic spreading in the community
Both Drs. Cook and Ewing have ad-
vised along this line--and the board
feels that they are doing nothing but
their solemn duty in the matter.
Health Officer G. H. Austin is do
ing his utmost in the performance Of
his duties, and is acting wholly upon
the instructions of the Board of
Health of our city, who have chosen
their course. A number of false ru-
mors have been afloat which exager-
ates the situation considerably, and by
all means this should be stopped Per-
sons should verify statements which
they may hear, before they give them
general circulation, especially so in a
matter of this nature. The circula-
ton of false rumors is very detrimen-
tai. and we appeal to all the citizens
of this community to use some con-
sideration salong this line.
There have been three mild cases
Of smallpox within our city, which
originated during the past several
days. Also one case has bean de-
veloped Immediately outside of the
city limits. In each instance the
health officers have placed the patient
in the bonds of rigid quarantine, and
We might add with the entire sane
ton of the patients, which has made
it comparatively easy for the author
tiles to handle the matter in simple
manner.
The question mas arisen where the
disease was brought from to this COM
munity, and it is presumed that a
gentleman from Big Springs, who
was in our city shortly before the
commencement of the disease here,
had been pronounced victim of the
smallpox after returning to his home.
At any event. the disease is not
spreading here to any extent, and the
developments are being watched with
the closest scrutiny. Any new case
that might be discovered would re-
ceive prompt attention.
Smallpox, in most instances, dur
ing latter years is hardly considered
as serious as measles and some other
contagious diseases, by the medical
authorities, and in fact much less
percent Of casualties occur. Still
there is the name, which was such a
horror in former years to the people
of this country. But we believe it
to be u fact that in most cases of
smallpox in the past seven or eight
years the results have been of no
very serious consequence.
Agitation in such matters seems
to create the most serious harm on
account of the reputation of the name
which once stood for most dreaded
disease. The fact is that with all four
OF the patients now in quarantine in
this community, not one of them art
seriously sick, and the quarantine re-
dulrements is the most unpleasant
part of their circumstances.
We want to assure the people of
the community at large that there is
no cause for lot of undue agitation
in the matter at this time, and there
probably will not be, as the PROPOSE
ton is being handled is very thorough
and systematic manner.
Business is being carried on here
in normal way, and people coming
to Julesburg will have every assur.
snce that conditions here are as good
and perhaps better than some places
where such rigid precautions are not
being taken. We are informed tina,
number Of cases of smallpox exist
in some of the other nearby towns
in fact, a much larger number than
IN this city. 1t is for this reason in
large measure, that the authorities
mere are doing everything within their
power to avoid its spread into this
community
The Board of Health of Julesburc
held a meeting last Tuesday after.
noon and decided to take extra pre-.
cautionary measures in safeguarding
the people of the community and the
visitors to our city, by issuing an or.
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