The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-04-12

SUPERIOR, April 1o.-(special to
the Rip-saw.) "A goodly number OF
victims of contagious diseases, who
have been immured in the local iso-
lation hospital, loudly and emphati-
cally declare that the institution is
slam on modern civilization and
disgrace to this fair lowland city.
What Superior calls an isolation
hospital, the blunt Duluthians plainly
call pest house. You go there when
you are caught with some contagious
disease, if you so desire, cannot help
it or find quarantine at home i'm
practicable. ....-.
Superior's primitive isolation hos
pital receives patients affected with
smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtkeria
and erysipelas. They are maintained
there at public expense but no one
who knows the place goes gladly.
Those with means willingly would
pay fat fees out of their own pockets
if they could go where there are COM
forts and modern conveniences.
None of those who experience con-
fnement in the Superior pest house
are proud of their experience. Many
feel greatly ashamed of the fact.
Others, with more fight in their sys-
TENS, feel outraged by their own ex-
periences there and break loose now
and then. The Rip-saw correspondent
has heard several such talks and the
facts contained in this article are a
lot rfa toy 1fC n hyy
a considerable number of patients at
the hospital as we'll as local profess
sional and business men.
Situation of Pest House.
The primitive isolation hospital is
situated. between, West and South SUI
perior.s directly opposite the county
fair grounds. There are two main
buildings and a few insignificant out
buildings. Both main buildings are
old, antiquated and not in good con-
dition. They look as If they were
constructed from lumber that was in
old Noah's ark. In the less used
structure, plastering is falling off the
walls. Incidentally, these structures
were condemned year ago by the
state building inspector. 1--WE should
worry" seems to have been all the
attention given that act by the mu-
nicipal authorities.
The hospital buildings are as cold
as a barn, thanks to their age and
condition. They are heated with
stoves and coal or wood for fuel.
Patients who are at all able are COM
PEELED to bring in their own fuel and
build their own fires. The fuel is
in a detached building, therefore con-
valescents or those not sick enough
to keep them from crawling out for
means to maintain stove fires, are
exposed to wintry cold, storms and
blasts. go.
Crowded In Like Sardines.
The building chiefly used this win.
ter is story and half high. There
are four -ooms upstairs, exclusively
devoted to smallpox "atients. Two
beds are kept in one room. When
there are twelve or fifteen patients
afflicted with the loathsome disease
they have to be crowded in like sar.
dimes in box. There is an utter
lack of bathing facilities outside Of
DOWlS and pltcnerS.
Downstairs, when such patients arr
present, are rooms for scarlet fever
diphtheria and erysipelas. All con.
tagious diseases are housed under the
one roof and victim of smallpo,
for example, runs real risk of catch
ing the scarlet fever or even dread
diphtheria.
OF course, patients with the small
pox are not supposed to visit rooms
pox are not supposed to visit rooms OF
sufferers from scarlet fever. All who
hallway, toilets and other things
Those who dread infection ever mus
stand in fear of an additional dis
ease.
No matter what the rush, only two
servants of the city are available t.
feed, nurse and care for victims oil
one or more contagious diseases. Mr.
and Mrs. Joe Daley have charge oil
the pest house and they are rare
treasures. Both know their duties
and are faithful. Mrs. Daley is 6
very capable cook and, although the
present administration has ordered
her to cut all expenses to the bone
she makes the most of the plain
simple fare. Only the necessities are
provided but they are well cooked
Fruits, fruit juices and many little
extras that are craved by sick foil
and convalescents are not provided
these days. Former administration
were more liberal and considerate In
that respect.
SeH-Help is the Rule.
As stated, any patients In the su.
perior pest house must take care OF
themselves II able to drag their feei
: or to hold up their heads. II toe
sick for that, Of course, Mr.. or Mrs
Daley must do what they can.
All the patients are supplied the
same food from the same kitchen,
: When feeding time comes, one Of the
Daleys goes into the hall and calls
out, Smallpox patient No. II"
Smallpox patient No. Il" then
drags'his pr her sick and weary feet
down the stairs and picks up the
server set there on-a stand, next car