The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1922-02-11
COMPLAINT LAID AGAINST LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER

survey of the history and close OBJ
differential diagnosis
Mr.. Anderson states that he Is
Informed that owing largely to the
apparent laxity and indifference of
the local physician, the malady has
spread to an alarming degree" He
does not state the source of his infor-
nation, but 1t would not require a
very shrewd detective to nose 1t out.
As far as I am able to learn, the only
ones that have shown any alarm are
Mr.. Anderson's informants.
Regarding the laxity and indiffer-
ence. as alleged. / shall refer you to
the dated clippings enclosed, taken
from the Eureka Sentinel You will
note that the public was kept in
formed weekly as to the smallpox
situation. Imr adiately upon the first
outbreak the ools were closed, as
was also the II IRE show. This lat
ter was close1 0y the manager as
soon as informed of the presence of
smallpox. You will note that In the
issue OF the Sentinel Of December 8.
cautioned the public against social
the disease.
In addition to this 1 vaccinated
over 100 persons, of whom but two
failed to take" And right here I
wish to state that neither Mr.. Ander-
son nor any of his family came for
vaccination. In his letter to you he
expresses such a fear of exposing
them to contagion, yet he Is not will
ing to take the most important pre-
cautionary measure to prevent the
disease. Furthermore, among those
who congregated in the post office
during the epidemic last Fall no one
was more conspicuous than Mr.. An
derson, and among those who con-
gregate there now, no one Is more
conspicuous than Mr.. Anderson's
wife. How Is person of this type to
judge as to the competency of any
one concerning health matters.
At the present time the schools are
open as are also public places, and 1t
is my opinion that 1t is not necessary
to close them. II at any time deem
II necessary to take any measure,
however stringent, to prevent the de-
velopment of a severe epidemic, /
Snail not hesitate 10 dCt-
Numerous reports have come to
me of the existence of smallpox in
some home and upon investigation
have found that the vast majority of
such reports are without foundation.
AS frequently occurs during an epi-
demic, some are inclined to assume
that every case of illness is the dis
ease in question, and 1t Is hard to
make the public see that the common
sicknesses can occur along with an
epidemic.
One Of the amusing expressions in
Mr.. Anderson's letter is that, His
duties seem to be more of social"
than professional nature" II any
one can get any sociability out of a
health officers position, should say
that he had most extraordinary abil-
ity, and see where Mr.. Anderson has
unconsciously handed me a compli-
ment.
II you wish to investigate condi-
tions here, 1t will be more than sat
isfactory to me, and IL there Is any
other information that you wish, Doc
tor. shall be glad to give it.
Owing to the absence from town Of
the other members of the board I
cannot get their signatures to this re-
port.
The epidemic situation here is well
under control. and If 1t shows the
least evidence of getting out of hand
shall inform you. = II the reports
for November, and December did not
reach you, kindly let me know and
shall forward you duplicates from
my records here.
appreciate 1t very much that you
have given me the information con-
tained in your letter and the enclos-
ure. When you answer Mr.. Ander-
sons letter you may send him copy
of this.
BY wire I am asking your permis-
sion to publish Anderson's letter. In
as much as 1t constitutes a formal
complaint against public officer,
feel that should have an opportun-
ity to publicly defend myself. / am
willing to leave the decision as to my
devotion to duty rest with the public
of this community.
My January report is going for
ward under separate cover.
with kindest personal regards. I
am.
Very truly yours,
WIN. H. BREMEN,
Health Officer for Eureka County, Ne
vada.