Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1903 — Small Pox In Union Township. [ARTICLE]

Small Pox In Union Township.

County Health Officer I, M. Washburn was called to Fair Oaks, Thursday afternoon, by the news that S. B Moffitt, of northeast of that town, had what was supposed to be small pox. He had returned from pressing bay in Wisconsin, in a region where small pox was prevalent, about a week before and was sick when he got home, but it was not until Wednesday that the eruption appeared that showed conclusively that he had small pox. The health officer found that he had a well marked and typical case, but not severe enough in his case to be probably at all dangerous. Mr, Moffitt, who is a. very peculiar man in many ways, has never been vaccinated and his never permitted his clildren to be, and he has a large family who will probably all the disease. Neither will he take any kind of medical treatment. Dr. Washburn quarantined the house which was as far as his official authority extends, unless he finds that he can enforce vaccination upon the rest of the family. There will no doubt be other oases (in the neighborhood, as several have been exposed. A mong these was a Mr. Harriott who had made Moffitt a friendly visit the day the 'health officer was there, and sat and talked with him, ■ knowing that he probably had small pox. Mr. Moffitt lives about midway between Fair Oaks and Virgie. A school near his place has been closed by the township trustee.