Page Added 2009
Courtesy of Saint Croix Courier "Journey Through Time"
| November 4, 1865 | The small-pox has made its appearance in Newfoundland |
| March 9, 1871 | The small pox seems still to be on the increase in St.John, and there is no knowing how soon it may make its appearance here. These facts ought to impress all with the necessity of vaccination. We understand our physicians are supplied with vaccine, and we trust all persons will attend to what is really an imperative duty, and have themselves and their families vaccinated. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. |
| January 11, 1872 | Dr. Gross was called on Monday to attend Thomas McGuire who, some say, came from the woods in the vicinity of Jackson Brook sick. After the disease had time to show itself on Tuesday, the doctor pronounced it a case of small pox. It appears that there are several cases of the disease at Jackson Brook. Mr. McGuires’s house, which is situated in the rear of Mr. William Johnson’s has been fenced in and other measures taken to shut it off from communication with the rest of the town. This occurrence shows the necessity of a Pest-house, or Hospital, which ought to be erected in some remote section of the corporation bounds. |
| February 1, 1872 | A case of Small-Pox is reported at Milltown, Calais. No new cases have occurred in St.Stephen. |
| March 21, 1872 | Another case of Small-Pox has been reported, that of Mr. John Strange who was staying at Mr. James Berry’s on King Street. We regret to state that Miss Donald, youngest daughter of Joseph Donald, Esq., M.P.P., died of the disease on Friday, and that James Doolin, another of the patients, died on Sunday. It seems to be a remarkably malignant and fatal type of the disease. |
| The Mayor and Council had fitted up the house formerly occupied by Neil McCoy on the Getchell Settlement Road, for the reception of Small-Pox patients; but some of the residents of the settlement taking the law into their own hands, proceeded last night to the place and took out the doors and windows, and declared that they would resist the taking of any patients out to that locality. | |
| March 28, 1872 | Since our last Mr. John Strange and the boy McEvoy in Calais have both died. Two new cases were reported in town, Mrs. Martin and a young man named Kelly, both of whom were removed to the Neil McCoy house on Basswood Ridge Road, which has been purchased from Mr. Almond by the Board of Health for the purposes of a hospital, at a cost of $600. The house has been made comfortable and suitable nurses have been procured so that patients will receive every care and attention. …… Vigorous measures have been adopted on both sides of the river to stamp out the disease, and we think there is not much prospect of it spreading further. The Mayor suggests that charitably disposed persons who have cast-off clothing to spare would do a good action by sending them in for the benefit of such poor persons as are obliged to destroy their clothing on account of small-pox. |
| April 4, 1872 | Since our last issue no new cases have occurred within the town limits and it is hoped that the disease is now under complete control. At Red Pine Grove the chances are that it will run through a pretty large family. We learn that a grandchild of Mr. Donald’s 16 days old, and an old man who lived with him have contracted the disease, but all the cases are progressing favorably. It is very gratifying that no deaths have occurred since the organization of the Board of Health. |
| The board is adopting vigorous measures in reference to the cleansing of premises, in order to prevent the spread of contagion, and we would urge upon every one the necessity which exists for the cleansing of all back premises. | |
| April 11, 1872 | It affords us great pleasure to state – and it ought to be a matter of sincere thankfulness to God – that this loathsome disease has quite disappeared from the town. We are pleased to learn also that down at Mr. Donald’s as well as out at the Hospital, all the patients are progressing favorably. In Calais also the disease is under complete control, only one case of varioloid having been reported within the week. |
| June 20, 1872 | There is a case of small pox on the Little Ridge. A man named Haggerty contracted it from a relation of his in Chamcook. Both at Little Ridge and Chamcook every precaution has been taken against the spread of the disease. |
| Oct 3, 1872 | A young man named Warr, a seaman belonging to the Ledge, arrived home last week in a schooner from Boston, and was taken sick with small pox. He is in a detached house, but the family occupying it is quite large. We understand he has no regular medical attendant. There ought to be a special Sessions called and a doctor appointed to attend to such cases. |
| Oct 17, 1872 | There are two additional cases of small pox reported at the Ledge in the same house in which the other case occurred. We understand some of the magistrates have appointed Dr. Black to attend these patients and have sent Mrs. Duggan to nurse them. |
| Nov. 7, 1872 | The cases at the Ledge are progressing favorably. We are sorry to hear that the disease has made its appearance at Upper Mills ……..The case is only a light one. . . . |
| Nov 14, 1872 | Leonard Eye who arrived in Calais the other day in the vessel I.E., Boynton is down with the small pox. It is a very light case. …… |
| June 3, 1875 | A young man named Meredith, who returned from the West a few days ago, was taken down with varioloid at his brother’s residence on King Street. The facts were communicated on Tuesday by Dr. Thomson to the Mayor, who immediately summoned the Board of Health and took such steps as we trust will result in preventing the spread of the disease. Every precaution has been taken and no alarm need be felt. The Mayor immediately communicated the facts to the Provincial Secretary, who telegraphed for full particulars. There is a case of small pox reported in Calais also. |
| June 10, 1875 | The body of Mr. Meredith who died with the small-pox on Tuesday was interred last night at 12 o’clock. It is to be regretted that the interment did not take place on Tuesday night, as the keeping of the body over yesterday must have been dangerous to the health of the town. The proprietor also removed last night, the premises will be properly disinfected, and we trust no further cases may occur. |
| June 24, 1875 | William McGuire who has been employed as a clerk in a bar room in St.Stephen experienced symptoms of small pox last week, and on Sunday went to this home on the Board Road, about 11 miles from St.Stephen. Dr. Ross was called and pronounced the disease small pox. . . . |
| The case of young Meredith at the pest house in the rear of the town is progressing favorable. The time of incubation since the first case was reported having expired, it is hoped that there will be no further cases. | |
| July 15, 1875 | A lady visiting at Dr. Gove’s, St.Andrews, was taken ill with the small-pox on Saturday. The Doctor immediately hung out the yellow flag. The case will be kept isolated and there will, therefore, be no fear of the disease spreading |
| December 11, 1878 | Small Pox at Flume Ridge – A son of Mr. Thos. Campbell of Flume Ridge, who returned from Minneapolis about two weeks ago, is down with the small pox. He is under the impression that he caught the disease in Montreal on his way through. The case is in charge of Dr. Myrshrall, and we presume the Government will do its duty in the matter. |
| December 25, 1878 | The Small Pox – Mr. Campbell of Flume Ridge, who came home with the smallpox a few weeks ago, had died, and three other members of the family have it – two of them being in another house. Rumors that it has appeared on St.David’s Ridge are not authenticated. |
| Sept 25, 1879 | Diptheria of a very malignant type has appeared in the Meredith Settlement and vicinity. Four children of Mr. A. Gibson and one of Mr. D. MeElroy have already succumbed to its fatal influence, after but a few hours illness. There are five families sick with it, and some of the afflicted are not expected to recover. |
| March 23, 1882 | Several new cases of small-pox have appeared at St.Croix. It is probable that other cases will appear there, as there has been communication between the people of the infected houses. |
| Oct 22, 1885 | Vaccination in Maine – What the Boards of Health are doing against the small pox?The work of vaccination in Maine is progressing to a general extent, in view of the threatened importation of smallpox across the Canadian border. In the manufacturing cities, especially, the demand for vaccine lymph is so heavy that druggists find themselves constantly running short. |
| Nov 12, 1885 | Montreal papers are being returned all over the country, the subscribers being afraid of smallpox. St.John. Sun |
| March 25, 1886 | We are credibly informed that the party, who stated that the case at Waweig was not that of smallpox, speaks incorrectly and entirely without knowledge of the case. It seems that two physicians of experience visited the diseased man, and, after examining him thoroughly, found all his symptoms to indicate genuine small pox. The necessary precautions were taken not to spread the disease. After a six week’s siege he recovered, and all the clothing and material that would be likely to contain the disease were destroyed. It is annoying to have parties circulating stories so utterly devoid of truth. |
| Oct 3, 1888 | Typhoid fever appears to be prevailing all along the Atlantic coast to a greater extent than is usual even at this time of year, which is the season in which it most flourishes. A good many New Brunswick towns are afflicted with it. Typhoid is regarded as a preventable disease, and its origin can frequently be traced to polluted water and bad drainage. The necessity for care in these particulars and in the preservation of the utmost cleanliness should be constantly kept in mind by all. |
| Oct 1, 1891 | Small pox has broken out in Dalhousie and Bathurst. |
| January 25, 1900 | At a meeting of the Board of Health held on the 24th instant, it was decided to be important to urge upon the citizens of the Town the necessity of vaccination, in view of the epidemic of smallpox now existing in the north of the province and as a preventative against the disease appearing in our midst. |
| January 24, 1901 | The prevalence of small pox is some parts of the province has caused the provincial board of health to recommend the general vaccination of the people in all sections. |
| October 17, 1901 | Small pox has become epidemic in many parts of Canada and the United States and general vaccination is urged that the spread of the disease may be stayed. |
| October 31 1901 | The board of health met on Tuesday and discussed the danger to the town from the presence of small-pox in St.John. The necessity of general vaccination was considered and steps taken to urgently impress it upon the people. |
| November 14, 1901 | At the insistence of the board of health, a meeting of the town council has been called for Friday evening to consider the advisability of free vaccination and to discuss other preventive measures in connection with the smallpox epidemic which prevails in different parts of the province. |
| January 09, 1902 | The border towns have been mildly excited during the past week or two, moved by the fear that small pox might become an epidemic. One or two cases have been reported, but investigation has shown that that the suspected persons were not suffering from the disease. Wherever there was a suspicion of danger, the greatest precaution was observed and now, fortunately, there is not only no trace or infection, but, with the continuance of the care heretofore exercised, there is no reason why we should not be spared by the terrible affliction of a visitation by the disease. |
| January 23, 1902 | While it has been feared that small pox would come to this county from St.John, and measures were taken to prevent such a condition, the disease has apparently entered from another direction. |
| Henry Hastay, son of John W, Hastay of Lynnfield, returned on New Year’s Day, from the lumber woods of New Hampshire. He was taken sick with what at first supposed to be chicken pox but, on Friday last, physicians who visited him pronounced it a case of small pox. | |
| Vigorous quarantine measures were at once taken at his home and the board of health for the town of St.Stephen has placed guards on the road to prevent people from that section entering town. Some of the young man’s neighbors maintain that it is not a case of small pox. It this be so the precautionary measures taken can do no harm, while if it is small pox, they may accomplish much good. | |
| January 30, 1902 | Smallpox at Lynnfield is not abating. A sister of Henry Hastay, the first victim, is ill with the disease and two suspected cases are reported in other families. Vigorous quarantine measures are being maintained. |
| February 11, 1904 | Small pox, in a very mild form, has appeared in
Calais, in the family of Millidge Lowther, on Depot
Street. The house has been rigidly quarantined and, at
the present time, there seems but little probability of
it extending. General vaccination is being carried out,
particularly among the school children. No cases have been reported in St.Stephen but the board of health, believing prevention to be better than cure, has ordered that all who have not been vaccinated within four years shall take that precautionary measure at the present time. Arrangements have been made with the doctors to vaccinate, free of charge, all who desire. On Monday next an official of the board of health will commence a house to house inspection to see that the order has been complied with. |
| May 10, 1906 | A serious condition of affairs exists at Upper Mills, where small pox has developed in a number of families. Last week Wm.Watters, of that place, visited Dr. Deacon’s office, suffering with disease the symptoms of which indicated small pox. Dr. Deacon was not sufficiently familiar with the disease to pronounce definitely upon the case, and sent for Dr. Fisher of Fredericton, chairman of the provincial board of health, who has had much experience with it. Dr. Fisher visited the district on Saturday and readily recognized small pox, though of mild form. Then it developed that the supposed “skin disease” had prevailed in the community for some time, without its true nature being realized. Fifteen cases so far known. |
| May 17, 1906 | Danger is rapidly passing. General quarantine will be raised at Upper Mills this week.The small pox situation at Upper Mills has greatly improved since last week and the disease is rapidly dying out, thanks to the admirable manner in which the people generally have submitted to the quarantine regulations. |
| December 19, 1906 | There are no new cases of small pox in town, and the
patient at the Huntley home is doing nicely. The
employees at the cotton mill have returned to work, and
business has resumed its normal condition. We regret to learn that Miss Greenlaw of Waweig, whom we reported last week, was ill with the small pox died on Friday, and that there are one or two other cases in the vicinity. |
| January 11, 1912 | Vaccination in Public Schools: The Schools Act provides for vaccination by the following section: Before entering any child upon the register of any public school, or admitting such child to such public school, there shall be produced by such child, or by its parent or guardian, or some person acting on behalf of such child, a certificate to the satisfaction of the principal thereof, that such child has been successfully vaccinated within three years from the time of such request for registry or admission; or, if such child has been vaccinated within the period of three years and the vaccination has not been successful, there shall be produced to such teacher or principal satisfactory evidence that by reason of such child having been previously successfully vaccinated such recent vaccination has not been successful, or that such child is immune. |
| May 16, 1912 | Small pox cases at Deer Island The Eastport correspondent of the Bangor Commercial writes; “Great excitement prevails at North Harbor, Deer Island, NB., over the two cases of small pox reported from that place. Mr. Farris, a resident of Deer Island, came to this city on Monday to consult one of the local physicians about his wife’s condition and on advice of the doctor, took Mrs. Farris to the hospital at St.Stephen, where the attending physicians pronounced her ailment a case of small pox and sent the woman back to her home at Deer Island, where she is now being taken care of by Dr. Murray. There are two cases now on the island and it is thought the disease was brought to this locality by a brother of Mrs. Farris, who recently returned from Florida. |
| May 23, 1912 | Small pox cases at Deer Island In regard to the smallpox situation at Fair Haven, D.I., there are at present nine cases of the disease. Four of these occurred in unvaccinated subjects and one was extremely severe, being of the confluent type. The other three were of the discreet variety. Five cases are varioloid or modified small pox, i.e. modified in severity and duration by recent vaccination, but they are contagious and are smallpox just the same, consequently the victims are quarantined. All the schools are closed and the teachers have gone home. |
| April 25, 1918 | A somewhat severe case of smallpox developed last week at Mayfield, just outside the western limits of St.Stephen. The unfortunate victim is Isaac Kennedy, who had just returned from the lumber woods of Lepreau and it is stated that the case is directly traceable to the McIntyre & Johnson camp at Hall’s Lake, Lepreau. Mr. Kennedy’s house is isolated and has been quarantined and there is no danger that the disease will spread. An experienced nurse from St. John is in charge of the case, the crisis has been passed and the unfortunate victim is on the way to recovery. |
| March 10, 1921 | A case of smallpox, well developed was found by a
local physician, Sunday afternoon, the victim being a
Mrs. Burgoyne, who came here from Grand Falls about a
year ago and is at present living in the Murchie tenement
on Water Street at the Cove, the old Joseph Bell house. John McGibbon, sanitary inspector, was notified, and Dr.Wade, district health officer, arrived Monday at noon and confirmed the case as smallpox.The woman had been sick for two weeks before the physician was called, and as the inmates of the house had been freely mingling with those outside, considerable apprehension has been felt. The house has been quarantined and guards placed for day and night duty.General vaccination is being applied in the factories in St.Stephen and Milltown.The origin of the disease is unknown. |
| November 24, 1921 | Small pox in a mild form, that has been a little prevalent here in recent weeks, has broken out in the families of Louis Weatherby and Mrs. Nettie Scullen in Queen’s ward and in consequence the public schools at the Cove and the brick building have been closed for a few days. |