Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-10
THEATERS AND CHURCHES
PERMITTED TO REOPEN
Infnntile Paralysis Epideraic Pnsses,
After Claiming Fifty-tvo Victims
and Causing Twelve Deaths.

and Causing Twelve Deaths.
Especial to Tho Times Dispatch.J
HARRISoNBuRG. VA. September 9.
After seven weeks under quarantine
because OF infantile paralysis. the Har-
risonburg theatcrs were permitted by
the city health authorities to reopen
yesterday and tho churches resumed
regular services to-day. Children
under sixteen are required to remain
at home until Monday. when the quar-
antine regulations will be lifted. cx-
cept as they apply to homes actually
infected.
The Rockingham County Board OF
Health on Friday lifted the quarantine
in three maEistcrial districts-Stone-
wall. Linviile and Plains. The last
cases reported were in Asnoy and Cen
trail. and these districts will lie kept
under quarantine for probably another
week.
There have been ffty-two cases Of
infantile paralysis in the county and
sight in the city. A total of twelve
deaths. all In the county. have result
ed, tho number OF deaths representing
onc-f1fth the total number Of .ases At
least dozen other children are be-
heved to be permanently disabled Tho
quarantine period for a majority or
been released.
No now casos have been reported for
more than ten days in the city or in
the magisterial districts released from
quarantine.
Considerable antagonism has result
ed from the quarantine establish ed
against Rockingham County and the
city OF Harrisonburg by nciEhboring
counties and towns. and the reports
circulated In those places about con-
ditions here. Local business men COM
plain that business has been practf-
cally killed" in Harrisonburs during
he seven weeks because OF reports OK
.ggerated out OF all proportion to real
conditions being spread broadcast.
Several of the Valley towns pro-
claimed shot gun" quarantine
against tho infected districts. Armed
guards were placed on duty to keep
out people from HarrIsonburg and
Rockingham County. and to prevent
their own citizens returning homo ar
ter visiting those places. There were
a number Of violations, but the 1lan,
as a whole. was very effective.
II has been a common occurrence for
tourists to pass through Harrisonbure
with handkerchief to their noses to
keep out the germs" One man Sc
curely wrapped his two small children
in storm robes before reaching the
city limits. and then passed through
without stopping. Information was
freely dispensed to tourists coming
this way. business men here contend.
with the result that many OF them
changed their plans and took other
routes after hearing the exaggerated
stories
DR.. C. G. Snarr, the city health oni-
GER and tho Rockingham County
Board of Health. composed OF Drs. j..
f. Lincoln. J. D. Miller and r. F..
epidemic started. They have had tho
services OF DR.. Ennion G. williams.
State Health Commissioner; DR.. w. A.
Brumheld, tho assistant health COM
missioner; DR.. ~ Z. Wayson and DIR.
Leake. of the United States Public
for preventing an even more serious
outbreak Is doubtless due 10 tho eff
forts OF these men.
DR.. Williams. on his last trip to
Harrisonburg. two weeks ago. laid
dohvn very strict rules OF sanitation
before the State Normal School would
open, The local health authorities Inn
mediately began work on the neces-
sary improvements. There Is expected
to be little. IL any. delay in opening
the school. and II will open under con-
ditions even more favorable than here
tofore.
No date has yet been announced for
tho opening OF the Harrisonburg pub
lie schools The Flkton High School.
however. will begin on next Monday.
and the McGaheysville High School
on the following Monday. September
II.
Acting on the advice of the State
Department of Health the local au-
thorities have taken every measure to
combat the epidemic, and there liz now
believed to be little danger of a further
spread of infantllc paralyeis.