Smallpox in Madison: 1907

Even though smallpox was now longer the massive killer in had been, it still stirred concern when it struck in the early 1900s. This account details the efforts to contain it and also references the condemnation of three city schools. Although not mentioned here, those were the Walnut Street, Fulton and Upper Seminary Schools. This report was issued by J.N. Hurty, the board secretary, who seems to have been much more than simply a recording secretary.

Twenty-Sixth Annual Report State Board of Health of Indiana Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 1907. Statistical Year Ending December 31, 1907. To The Governor. Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford, Contractor For Sтaте Printing And Binding. 1907

Madison—On November 2d I visited Madison on account of smallpox. The disease had again taken hold of that city and I found twenty-three cases in the school houses and four cases under quarantine in houses in the city. Only five of these cases were at all severe; others varied from very mild indeed to moderately severe.

As is usual in these epidemics, certain physicians had denied that smallpox existed, and it was this fact that led to the complication With a few of the physicians pulling one way and a few another, the local authorities did not know what to do.

After visiting the pest houses and examining all the patients there, and also visiting and examining all of the patients in houses under quarantine, I met with the public health committee of the council. The conclusions of the conference were that the conference would meet and commence a vigorous campaign against the disease. They promised to purchase fresh vaccine and offer free vaccination and to rigidly enforce quarantine measures.

I took occasion to visit the new school building which is being erected and which is the result of condemnation by this Board of three old dilapidated structures. The new building will be completed by the last of January and the plan showed that every required sanitary feature will be incorporated.