On This Date in Minnesota History: December 23

December 23, 1902 – “Smallpox is becoming too common and there seems to be a deal of carelessness in handling it,” said Secretary Bracken of the state board of health today. “I have received letters and complaints from Brandon, Holdingsford, Cokato, Kingston and Elbow Lake that the county health boards and officials are not looking after the disease as they should.

“The residents in several sections where the disease is reported are avoiding quarantine by not calling in physicians and consequently the disease is not diagnosed. One man with the disease reached Minneapolis Monday from Lillbridge’s lumber camp near Cass Lake. Walker & Ackley’s camp at Ten Strike also sent another patient to Minneapolis.

“Eight men arrived at Atkin Monday from Posten’s camp in Cass County. Three of the men had the disease and the other five had been exposed to it. All of the men had traveled on railroad trains and this accounts for the spread of the disease. Steps will be taken by the state board to investigate and if possible punish those who are responsible.”

The Saint Paul Globe; “Smallpox is Rife in Lumber Camps. State Board Secretary Threatens to Make Trouble for Someone.”; Dec. 24, 1902; p. 2.

smallpox

http://www.amnh.org/explore/science-topics/disease-and-eradication/
countdown-to-zero/smallpox

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