THE REPORTED CASE OF SMALL POX.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 279, 30 August 1872, Page 3

THE REPORTED CASE OF SMALL POX.

To tho Editor of tho Thames Guardian. Sik—As one of those residing with Mr Stoney, I beg to make a few remarks in reference to tho reported case of smallpox, and the statement which appeared in yesterday’s Advertiser m connection therewith. Dr Sam did, as reported, visit Mr Stoney on Monday. Now, as it was known that I was in Grahamstown, and in a public office throughout the day on which Dr Sam is reported to have cautioned the inmates of the house from “ mixing with the public," it may bo wondered that I should have acted directly in opposition to such an injunction ; but the fact is, Dr Sam did not give any such direction. He did not inform Mr Stoney, or any one else in the house at that time, that there was danger of infection, and did not caution us to abstain from intercourse with tho public. He did not say what was the nature of the ailiincnt, nor did he make any remarks about “ general cleanliness”—an insinuation as disagreeable as the caution was unnecessary. Later in the day Mr Lloyd informed me that Dr Sam had told him that Mr Stoney was suffering from smallpox, and that wo should guard against tho possibility of spreading tho disease. Neither Mr Lloyd nor myself being satisfied with the opinion of one doctor, I immediately proceeded to look for Dr Sam, in order to request him to take another medical man with him to sen Mr Stoney, and satisfy me that there was sufficient cause to compel me to remain at home, but as I could not find Dr Sam I had to wait until he visited Mr Stoney again ill the evening. He then told Mr Lloyd and mo that if Mr Stoney had not been vaccinated he would have had virulent small-pox, thus leading us to infer that the disease was small-pox, though in a mild form. I then questioned him as to the propriety of my leaving the house next morning, but he did not give rn« either a serious or a decided answer. As #quested he returned next morning with Dr Lethbridge (having in the interval been written to by me to bring that gentleman), hut I then could not get a more satisfactory reply than on the previous night. Under these circumstances I was proceeding to Grahamstown as usual, but when opposite the Court House I was stopped by Dr Sam, who in the presence of Mr liullen, Mr Lloyd, and Dr Lethbridge advised me return home, as under tho circumstance* it was prudent at least for a few days to remain there. I immediately complied, and, from the conversation I had just heard, returned under the impression that Dr Sain considered Mr Stoney’s illness a case of small-pox, and that Dr Lethbrjdgo did not. Notwithstanding the statement in the Advertiser to the contrary, my impression all along has been, and still is, that in Dr Sam’s opinion Mr Stoney was suffering from sinall-pox. Dr Sam has since informed me that he did not intend to convey that idea, and has this day informed me that there is no longer any necessity for my remaining at home.—l am, &c.. Fred. J. Burgess, Grey-street, Shortland, . August 29, 1872.