New Britain herald., 1924-03-13
SMALLPOX SITUATION

ShhIIIfoA SiI a1ioN
 When Dr. Richard W. Pullen be- came health superintendent of this city his main recommendation was that he was thoroughly grounded, by education, in the work that he would be required to do. Yesterday came news showing that he possessed an- other qualification-one involving not A matter of education, but one which appeals even more forcibly to many. Realizing that physician in private practice hesitates to devote himself entirely 10 taking care of the small pox cases, with the attendant danger Of losing his private practice, Dr. Pullen himself suggested that he be the one to isolate himself with the , sufferers from this dread disease. He would not urge upon anyone else a task that he would not undertake. Those who know the superintendent Of health realizes that he considers he has done nothing worthy of special comment in making this suggestion. Someone has to or ought to be pro- yided to do this work. None other be- ing available he believes that in the emergency ii becomes his duty to act. Nothing remarkable about that" he would say, deprecating the danger to himself.
 Under ordinary circumstances it is always unwise to send the general of the army into the most dangerous charge. II may be equally true that il would be unwise to send Dr. pnllen into isolation in this emergency as tho main work of handling the small pox situation falls upon his shoulders. But if he feels that he can attend to the other details necessary to be watched. by means Of a special wire to the isolation hospital possibly his example will inspire the men and women of the city to observe the rules he advocates--to follow the suggcs- tions he makes. At any rate his sug- gestion, coming from himself and not from others. that he places himself in this position which is considered by most of us dangerous one, impcls one to feel admiration for leader who, instead of crying "Go ahead" '" calls out "Comc on."
 The decision to encourage general vaccination is wise; the order 10 have the school children vaccinated. unless any child comes under the exception provided for by law allowing one to remain unvaccinated if his or her physician states the child is not in condition to undergo it, is wise. All suggestions. such as the use Of q vehi- cle for transporting the sick which is never used to carry healthy, living persons made out Of consideration for public opinion are wise. At T time like this public opinion should be consid- cred; hystcria should be discouraged; the psychological aspect should be studied. Consulting public opinion. as far as possible, is the best course 10 follow.
 Some 1.5Oo people in this city have been vaccinatcd. Good for them. Con sidcration for others as well as them selves probably prompted their action. At present there are q patients under quarantine, but about seven will be released shortly. The mayor is to be commented for forgetting, at the mo- ment. the matter Of economy as inc word is commonly understood. He voices the spirit of a broader, wiser economy when he says Proceed at once and spare no expense, for this is no time to talk dollars and cents .' Chief Hart shows his eagcrness 10 co- operate when he informs Inc health board tHdI IT II IS dloFiulfis i'tfFtstfi he will provide enough officers to quarantine every home where therc is smallpox. The attitude of Dr. I.ecks as the hospital in barring from # all visitors except relatives Of patients is proper. The health board is taking this matter as it should be taken. en- deavoring not to create spirit of panic and yet taking every precaution possible.
 And now 1t remains for thc people Of the city to do their share. As previously stated here one hesitates to advise a man or woman 10 submit 10 vaccination if Ire or sne is opposed to it. But again the people are urged to try 10 see the wisdom of following the earnest request of inc bealtH su- perintendcnt and taking this pr"cau- ton. They should not allow prejudice