State Board of Health Concerned-Tama Indian Reservation 1901

TAMA, INDIAN, KENNEDY, LINN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/8/2017 at 21:42:35

Dubuque Telegraph - Herald, October 28, 1901
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State Board of Health Concerned
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Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 28 – The State Board of Health is much concerned over the reports from the Tama Indian reservation in regard to the outbreak of smallpox, and Dr. Linn, the member from the district, was sent there to make a special investigation. Dr. Kennedy, secretary of the board, says that as a rule smallpox among the Indians is fatal and many die. They have a habit of throwing themselves into the river to escape the itching and burning of the skin, as this is not the kind of treatment best calculated to cure the smallpox. The state board will do all in its power to prevent the spread of the disease.