The following article appeared in the Tuesday, February 4, 1902 edition of the Norwood News:

 

SMALL POX IN NORWOOD

One Mild Patient Under Quartine

 

On Wednesday last, one Donald Curran came off the train from the south and proceeded to the American House. He was somewhat intoxicated and there were blotches on his face. A traveling man came off the same train that this man came on and he told Mr. Welch that he thought that a man was coming who had small pox. Accordingly, as soon as he entered the door, Mr. Welch ordered him out. He turned and went out and from there to John Quinn's saloon.

Quinn saw the blotches on his face and feared that it was small-pox and sent him to Dr. Phelps for examination. Dr. Phelps called in the other physicians and a hurried consultation was held, and all agreed that is was a mild case of small-pox. Dr. Phelps locked the man in his office and immediately notified I.P. Vance, president of the Board of Health. Mr. Vance convened the Health Board as quickly as possible and laid the case before them. The Board appointed I.P. Vance and H. H. Bailey a committee, with power to act, and they were instructed to do whtever in their judgement was necessary in the premises. It was learned upon inquiry that there was vacant house at the north-westerly corner of the village, that was far enough from adjoining houses to make a safe quarantine. This house could not be hired, but was seized, according to the provisions of the statute. Stoves, furniture, beds, bedding, fuel and provisions, and a competent nurse, who had previously had the dread disease, was secured, and the patient taken to the house and placed in quarantine. An expert, with the latest improved apparatus for fumigating and all necessary chemicals for disinfection, was secured, and all places where this man had called were thoroughly fumigated and disinfected.

All persons who were in any way exposed have been vaccinated; and it is hoped that no other cases will be reported from this case. The doctors here do not think that any one in our village came in close enough contact with him to take the disease, excepting possibly one or two, and those vaccinated.

A strick quarantine will be kep on the pest house and all those who have been exposed will be closely watched and all facts will be given to the public.

As near as can be learned, Curran was a laborer in one of Moynahan Bros'. camp. On Thursday, Jan. 23d, he had a bad chill and quit work. On Friday he took the train to Malone, and on Saturday he returned to Piercefield. Monday he walked to Gales, and on Tuesday he came to South Colton and staid over night at that place. Wednesday he took the stage to Potsdam, and from there took the train to Norwood. On Thursday, Mr. Vance talked over the long distanced telephone with the State Board of Health and was instructed to see that all necessary action be taken, as speedily as possible, to stamp out the disease. Messrs. Vance and Bailey conferred with Dr. McKay, President of the Board of Health of Potsdam, and they with Dr. Smith of Colton, and Dr. Miller, of South Colton.

The bed, bedding, rugs, etc , in the room where Curran slept was burned and all the hotels where he stopped were thoroughly fumigated and Dr. Miller was ordered to drive over the entire route where this man had been, and make a thorough inspection of all the camps, vaccinate all who were exposed, and if necessary quarantine any or all of the camps.

The stage drivers from the Woods section were instructed not to allow any one from that section to ride with them unless they presented a doctor's certificate of health.

Dr. T.A. Pease has charge of the patient and quarantine, and nothing will be left undone that can be done for the welfare of the sufferer and the safety of the public.

It has been the practice in some vallages to keep such scourges a secret, but the Board of Health of Norwood, have decided to give the public every detail.

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