By Roy Vataja
With the current flu virus racing through the state, it seems a good time to look back at some of the medical issues that early Harborites dealt with and how it was reported in the local papers. We should feel fortunate that most of these pestilences have been largely eradicated through vaccinations and public health programs.
SCARLET FEVER
Elma is sorely afflicted with scarlet fever, and has closed the public schools and dispensed with all public gatherings. Several deaths have occurred among the little ones, and the stricken parents have our heartfelt sympathies. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 2, 1893
SMALLPOX
Mrs. B.F. Wiley, who has been nursing her husband through a severe attack of smallpox, has herself contacted the disease, and is now sick at her home on First Street. — Chehalis County Vidette, March 14, 1902
SMALLPOX IS RUNNING THROUGH CARL’S LOGGING CAMP
Carl’s logging camp on the Neuskah River has been quarantined by County Commissioner Stanley Smith, owing to an outbreak of smallpox among the men employed there.
Word was brought to this city late Saturday that conditions at the camp were of a most serious nature. Early last week it was reported that smallpox had broken out at the camp, and the county authorities placed it under quarantine without making any arrangements for either medical attention or nursing, simply leaving the men there to take care of themselves, with the result that one of them died on Thursday and was hastily buried in the woods by his comrades.
The location of the camp is about four miles up the Neuskah from Hopkins’ ranch, and the means of communication are both difficult and uncertain.
The party who gave the information of the death there is said to be the section foreman of the N.P.R.R. at South Aberdeen, and he stated that the men in camp were afraid that an epidemic would result from the lack of medical care, as none of them know how to treat the disease, and that they were without the necessary medicine and supplies. — Aberdeen Bulletin, March 16, 1902
CASE OF SMALLPOX
W.H. Cline, who lives with his family at 405 South L Street, is down with smallpox. City Physician Watkins says that the case, while well defined, is light, and that the patient will recover. He is now convalescing. Other members of the family have been vaccinated and every possible precaution taken to prevent spread of the disease. The house, of course, is under quarantine. Dr. Watkins is unable to determine just where Cline contracted the disease. Dr. Watkins is inclined to believe that the disease came from the logging camp. The case was reported to the city physician early in the week, and since then quarantine regulations have been observed. The last case of smallpox in this city was reported six weeks ago, the patient having been brought to town from a logging camp. — Aberdeen Bulletin, April 13, 1906
TYPHOID
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Veysey were discharged from Aberdeen General Hospital today, after a long siege with typhoid fever. They are planning to take a trip to California sometime in the near future. — Aberdeen Bulletin, Dec. 20, 1905
H. Kirkendall is at St. Joseph’s Hospital, very low with an attack of typhoid fever. There seems to be little hope for his recovery. — Aberdeen Bulletin, Feb. 2, 1906
Mrs. T.H. McKay received a letter from her husband at Dawson, Alaska last week in which he said that Frank Miller of this city, had died of typhoid fever in the Dawson hospital on Sept. 24. Frank Miller was one of the best known men on Grays Harbor, having logged here for years, making Aberdeen his headquarters. His host of friends will regret to learn of his untimely death in the land of the midnight sun, where he had gone last spring in search of the elusive yellow metal. — Aberdeen Herald, Oct. 20, 1898
MALARIA
G.F. Karshner has been ill this week with malaria, of which there seems to be an epidemic in a mild form. James Barret is handling the cleaver for him meanwhile. — Aberdeen Herald, Sept. 16, 1897
FOOD POISONING
Two children violently ill, a third and the mother in a fair way to the same condition, is the result of eating a boiled ham for dinner last Friday in the family of J.J. Robinson, on E street between First and Second.
Two of the girls, aged 6 and 8 years, were playing around in the afternoon when both were taken with severe fits of vomiting, followed by racking headaches and high fever. They soon became wildly delirious, remaining in that condition 48 hours. At the end of that time Dr. Schumacher was summoned and found the children in a semi-conscious and very critical condition. The doctor made every effort in their behalf, but for a long time entertained serious doubts of their recovery. Now, however, although their condition is still very serious, they will very probably regain their health.
The center of the ham, from which the meat was eaten, had been thrown away; but a minute examination of the remains showed them to be full of bacteria, from which fact the doctor draws his conclusion that the family is suffering from ptomaine poisoning.
Monday the third child, a girl of 10, and the mother was taken with the same symptoms, though in a much milder form. — Aberdeen Bulletin, July 30, 1902
Dr. Samuel J. Holmes, a member of the board of health at Seattle, confirms Dr. Stapp’s opinion that the three Hoquiam patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital were suffering from trichinosis. A piece of the infected meat was sent Dr. Holmes on Monday he made an examination, with the result that he pronounced it a genuine case of the presence of trichinosis. — Aberdeen Herald, May 28, 1896
Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and has great regard for science and the medical revolutions that have eradicated many of these illnesses in present day America.
