To the Mayor of Turin, Felice Rignon

E III, 1495

Defence of two doctors from the Oratory in relation to several cases of smallpox

Turin, 23 December 1870

Dear Mr Mayor,

In response to and in gratitude for your Excellency’s letter you kindly referred me to Dr Gribaudi and Cav. Musso. Please allow me to clarify a few points that may mitigate the impression created by the conduct of these distinguished doctors regarding the outbreak of smallpox in this shelter.

The facts are as follows:

1. Doctor Cav. Musso had no part in it. For many years, he has been generously offering his services to these poor young people, but in this case he was not asked to do so. In fact, I believe he is still unaware that smallpox has broken out here. Therefore, the aforementioned legal and health provisions would not seem to apply to him at all.

2. In his absence and in a rush, Dr. Gribaudi was called and arrived. During his second visit, having ascertained the reality of the smallpox, he immediately instructed Father Lazzero, director of the infirmary, to report to Cav. Martorelli.

Due to the many occupations of this benevolent gentleman, and our lack of knowledge of the place and hours of audience, we had to make several visits over two days before we were able to speak with him. In this case, it appears that Dr. Gribaudi is not at fault, even though he continued to assist the sick afterwards.

To clarify the matter and reassure Your Excellency, I believe it is important to note that smallpox did not present itself here with the ferocity that some might suppose; for during the various visits carried out regularly, the doctors themselves found only one case of true smallpox, the others being judged to be only smallpox-like or chickenpox of varying severity, many of which did not even prevent the patients from carrying out their normal activities.

That said, I beg you, Mr Mayor, to ensure that the charity that these two gentlemen, Doctors Gribaudi and Musso, have been providing us for several years does not come at the expense of their careers and to the detriment of eight hundred poor children who all rely on providence; it is not easy to find other doctors who with equal diligence, selflessness, and consistency are willing to assist such a large establishment that cannot compensate them even a penny in salary.

On this occasion, I commend myself and these poor children to your kindness, respectfully but earnestly praying that you will ensure that the health inspections do not prove harmful to the establishment itself. A few years ago, fearing an invasion of cholera, a health inspection was carried out, and on the very day that I was informed of this, the newspapers published reports in exaggerated terms, which were later corrected to the contrary.

Now, as soon as the individuals had been vaccinated, almost the same thing happened. I do not intend to cause any publicity of the kind, but I respectfully commend myself to your kindness so that it does not happen, and so that the serious agitation that arises among those who have dealings with the patients is prevented.

As I place this establishment under your paternal protection, which, as in the past, will always be open to any poor person who deems it necessary to recommend themselves to me, I assure you that I will always treasure any advice or suggestion you may give me, both for the public and private benefit of the young people of this city and other towns, whom poverty or misfortune may bring to us.

God bless you and grant you many happy years, and believe that with deep gratitude, I am

Your Excellency’s

most humble and obliged servant

Fr John Bosco