SMALL-POX IN WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1025, 23 February 1869, Page 3

SMALL-POX IN WANGANUI.

The Wa/ngmui Times of the 9th ins I ant says : — " We would direct the special attention of the public to Dr. Gibson's advertisement which appears in another column. That a case of virulent small-pox has been imported into Wanganui is now beyond matter of doubt. That that contagious and deadly disease may spread thoughout the community is at least within the range of possibility, and therefore every precaution should be used to prevent it, Parents who have had their children vaccinated need feel no alarm, but those who have obstinately refused, or carelessly neglected to do so, may now or at any future time dread the consequences of their culpable negligence. It is a well established fact that contagious diseases, such as cholera, small-pox &c, absolutely ' float upon the wings of the wind,' and in the close and dense atmosphere of a 'murky morning' find their way into bedrooms miles distant from the patients suffering under the complaint. Vaccination should be made compulsory, and parents neglecting it be severely punished." The same journal says :— " The patient suffering from small pox has been removed from the vicinity of the racecourse on board a boat, which is now anchored iuside the Heads. He is attended by a medical man, who is not allowed to come to town^and by two men who have been engaged to remain with him,' ibuiT- all are in strict quarantine, and wiU.remain so until re« leased by the Health Officers. Supplies are sent down by parties who are not allowed to go near ; the, boat. These precautionary measures may insure public confidence, but parents who pay strict attention to the vaccination of their children, need not be alarmed though the patient were not removed at all: those who do not, incur a serious responsibility by their culpable negligence." From the Evening Post of the 16th, we learn that — " Francisco, the blackman who was lately attacked with smallpox, died on Saturday last, at Wanganui, and was buried in the Quarantine ground. He must be well known to many of our readers, having formerly beat the big drum in Foley s troupe. How far his death has been caused by the, treatment received from the authorities is a matter we cannot decide, but it must evidently have been hastened by it. How the authorities at Wanganui could have endeavoured to make the Harbour and Quarantine Regulations published by the Government, applicable to a case of contagion arising in an inland district, is beyond our comprehension. The poor fellow, instead of being knocked about from pillar to post, ought to have received medical advice at Rangitikei, as any other person else would who might be suffering from an infectious disease in this town." Upon this case, the Wanganui Evening Eerakl thus severely comments : — " The infinite faith possessed in the power of nature has received a rude shock in the death of Francisco, the man who has been suffering from small-pox. Modern civilisation, built upon the principles (but not embracing them) of Christianity, is above soiling its purity by touching so loathsome a disease as small-pox. Dives could not have borne the sickening sight of a Lazarus ; the purple would have lost its hue, incipient putrefaction might have imparted its exhalations to the 1 sweet atmosphere in which luxury and pleasure dolighted to revel. Francisco, if he had been a leper under "the" Jewish, dispensation, would not have been turned out so ignominiously to die. The Jews had- a lazar-house, and they felt the tbrobbings of a humanity. What humanity was there in the horrible treatment to which this man has been subjected P The " powei^of nature" was left to do its work, as if medical skill had exhausted itself. The man died this morning — the Health Officer relegated him to the fatal canoe on Tuesday, since when no qualified or unqualified hand has ministered to his. wants. Half-drowned in a canoe, while small-pox virus is burning in his veins — under the charge of men whose trust was forgotten amidst the fumes of intoxication — the man was hurried to the bleak quarantine ground, where no good Samaritan ever finds his way, and there remained until tho grim victor death relieved him from his misery. Saline substances are specifics for smallpox. Was that why the man was immersed for twelve hours in salt-water P His case was a bad one, rendered worse by neglect. Was thiit why medical aid should be denied him in the hour of greatest danger P Let any of our readers apply the case of Francisco to himself, and reflect upon the treatment. The man was poor, and a Health Officer was made for the rich ; he had no friends, and no one to befriend him even for humanity's sake — Alas ! toy the rarity Of Christian charity Under the suu ! The case of this poor man will not soon bo forgotten. Some did their duty, but otUevs will not so easily wash away tiw stain that is upon them. Well ! it may prevent small-pox patients from coming in the direction of Wauganui again ; but is not the disgrace worse than the disease P Verdicts of manslaughter have been returned for less reason.