THE SMALL-POX.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4636, 4 July 1872, Page 3

THE SMALL-POX.

A few false rumours were spread through the city, shortly after the death of Henry Thompson in the Provincial Hospital of smallpox, that the disease had broken out in different; quarters of the oity and suburbs. We informed our readers of these rumours at the' time of their occurrence, and, as one after the other proved to be without foundation, a feeling of pratitude was at length being cherished by citizens that the dreaded disease bad been extinguished. These congratulations appear, to have been rather premature. Another actual case has appeared, the person affected being a young man named Thomas Seymour, who has been for some time a waiter in Gardner's Wharf Diningrooms, atjthe entrance to Quern-street Wharf on the western side. It was from .this house that the late Henry Thompson was taken to the Provincial Hospital when he died. On the day after the removal of Thompson the Mayor sent Dr. .Stockwell, the Health Officer of the city, to this house for the purpose of vaccinating or re-vaccinating all who were living therein. We believe the young man Seymour waa one of the few who would not submit to the operation unless he was paid for it, if the law did not compel him. Mr. Gardner himself and his family were on that occasion re-vaccinafced, and no disease has yet appeared with them. For several days past Seymour has been ailing, and yesterday he was conveyed to the Provincial Hospital to be treated by Dr. Philson. It appears that he has been vaccinated, but the marks of that operation on his arm are exceedingly faint. This was seen by Dr. Stockwell on the occasion that he visited Gardner's home, for tho purpose of vaccinating the inmates. Dr. Stookirell on that occasion told him of the danger he waa exposed to, being satisfied from the faintuess of the vaccination marks that the operation would not act as a protection to him. It is stated that Thompson who died in the Hospital had never been vaccinated, and hence the severity of the attack in his case. Before Seymour was couyeyed to the Hospital yesterday the pocks were pretty fully developed on him, and it is thus probable that so far as he is concerned the .attack will be a slight one. On it becoming known that he had been taken to the Hospital in a cab, his Honor the Superintendent and some members of the Provincial Executive interested themselves in the matter, and got the oab so used thoroughly fumigated. They also sue- ' A^eeded in getting Mr. Gardner to shut his up. la a very foolish manner, those who had been lodging there, on becoming aware of the nature of the disease with which their waiter was suffering, iled from the houso, and thus may be the means of spreading the germs of the disease to other portions of the city. It is believed also that some of these men were unvaocinated. A regard for the interests of others should have prevented them taking this step. There is no use in giving way to moral cowardice in this manner, when iu their flight they may carry with them the germs of tho disease they are attempting to fly from. Wo have been requested by his Worship the Mayor to remind our readers that Dr. Stockwell, the Health Officer of the oity, has agreed to vaccinate all and sundry who come or are brought to him, at his residence at the corner of Wabetield- and Symonds-street<j. The days he has set apart for this duty are Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays, at 2 o'clock. No charge will be made either for adults or children. Last night a meeting waa held at the residence of Mr. Sheohau, Hobson- street, relative to Seymour's case of small pox. There were present— Mr. J. Sheeban, (.Wclfields Secretary, Drs. J. 11. Nicholson and W. Stockwell, Inspector Broham, and Mr. Gardner, in whose eating-house the disease has found a lodgment. Dr. Philson was expected to have been present, but it was stated that he was indisposed, and was therefore absent. —A lengthy conversation ensued respecting the calamity with which the city appears to be visited, and we believe it was agreed that all the bedding &c., in Mr. Gardner's house, should be burned, and that the place should le shut up for a month. The place meanwhile is to bo subjected to a cleansing process. The following letters have been received by tho Chairman of the Board of Health :— •'Auckland, 2nd July, 1872.— Sir,— I have tho honour to forward to you the enclosed letter received by me this day from his Honor the Superintendent, in reply to one addressed by me to him relative to smallpox and the Provincial Hospital, in accordance with the suggestion on that sub* ject by the Board of Health at its last meeting. — F am, sir, your obedient servant, T. M. Philson, M.D., Health Officer. To T. Beckham, Esq , R.M., Chairman of Board of Health, Auckland."— "Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 1st July. —Sir,— In reply to your letter, dated the 29th ultimo, I have the honour to state that I have instructed tho Inspector of Police to establish a strict quarantine at the Provincial Hospital if any new case of small -pox should occur.— I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, Thomas B. Gillies, Superintendent. To the Health Officer, Auckland "— "Superintendent's Office, Auckland, July 1. — Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that I have this day received from the General ..government Agent copy of an order in Oounjpii, issued on the 29th ultimo, extending the 1 nmits of the port of Auckland as as to include the Island of Motu I hi, with the view to that place being appointed a quarantine station.— I havo the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, T. B. Gillies. — To the Chairman of tho Board of Health."