The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-19
CITY NEEDS pESTHoUSE.
Matter Was Discussed BY the Barre City
Council

A situation involving the possibilitie'
OF eontagion among persons exposed K
smallpox, congested conditions in Nortf
| Main street block where case exists
and the need of permanent isolation
| quarters for cases OF communicable dis
| ease was carefully canvassed by the city
| fathers at special meeting of the city
counci! Yesterday afternoon. Reassurinc
information from the city health officer
postponed immediate action on the pest
house question, but the council voted to
provide illumination for dimly lighted
corridor in the building where the small
pox patient is confined and authorized
the health committee to have the eorri-
dor patrolled day and night by special
policemen The matter of securing per.
manent isolation quarters for use in any
emergency was referred to the same
committee with instructions to inyesti-
gate and report.
At one time in the course OF the meet.
ing the council seemed bent on begin
ming Immediately construction work on a
pesthouse. Saner counsel prevailed, how
ever, and ground for the new building
will not be broken until a part of the
frost in the earths crust has melted
away. Chairman Alexander of the health
committee explained the circumstances
arising out of the smallpox case and told
of efforts to secure temporary quarters
for isolation purposes. 1t developed that
DR.. j. w. Stewart, the health officer, had
been commercially diligent in hunting
down nearly 40 persons who had been ey
posed and that all of them had been vac.
cinated. As soon as the case was dag.
nosed a member of the state board OF
health was called to confirm. AT once a
rigid quarantine was adopted, but de-
spite the efforts of the health authorities
there were stories current of its viola !
tion. Unwillingness on the part of ten
ants near the apartment occupied by the |
patient To observe the rules suggested |
he need OF patrolman. Then, too, the /!
corridor leading to the apartment was
poorly lighted, and people unfamiliar
with the circumstances could not see a |
quarantine sign on the door.
Alderman Alexander also gave an sc-
,ount of his efforts to lease a house tenn
,orarily. Buildings on nearly every
treet leading TO the city limits were to
,e had, and prices quoted hv the owners
we're given. None of them seemed anx
Gus to rent a house for isolation pur.
'oses. II was pointed out that the desir
bic and adequate pcsthousc contemplst-
d in suggestions made by ono member
nd another predicsted location that
rould mean real isolation All members
I the board were finally agreed that the
eed for building owned by the city
nd accessible al all times for isolation
urposes IS urgent. but it Was decided ,
OF TO purchase, lust now.
The danger OF an epidemic is consid !
red very remote, As the prompt action :
the health officer and energetic meas
res adopted by the health committee !
iseount TO a large extent the probabil- /,
\ Of threatening outbreak. The ease
mild one and the patient Is believed /.
, have contracted tho disease in Berlin.
. n, whence he came to Barre around :
.rtnicht ago.
" hiie the measures recommended bv !.
.e council are being put into effect. the :
'slth committee viii set about 10 fnd
'sirsbie location. With 2 view TO urging J,
r. erection cf suitable building early
the -priHg. With sueh . ccnyeuiencs
hand it Is argued. people living IN
ocks and large tenement houscs. tran
snts- lndcer>. ctc- might bc moved from s.
nEe-tci districts ~ suun as confa-' q
sus disease is discovered q