How a Hopkins Doctor Battled
the Scarlet Fever Epidemic of 1902
by Mary Raabe
first published in 2018
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Over 130 years have passed since Catherine Burnes began her practice and many details of her service to Hopkins have been lost. We are however, in possession of several Minneapolis newspaper articles describing her uncompromising adherence to sound medical practice.
In 1902 Hopkins was in the throes of a serious scarlet fever epidemic. While many in town were deeply opposed to a massive quarantine, Catherine Burnes held fast to the basic principles of epidemiology and almost single handedly prevented further spread of the disease. From August 6th through August 15, 1902 the Minneapolis Journal and the Minneapolis Tribune published eight articles reporting the news of scarlet fever in Hopkins. Doc Kate’s exemplary work during this epidemic was recognized in each one. In what was possibly an attempt to avoid an unpopular quarantine, three Hopkins physicians described the symptoms as measles or ‘scarletina.” Scarletina was scarlet fever. ‘Scarletina’ just sounded better. Dr. Catherine Burnes identified 100 cases of scarlet fever in Hopkins and knew what was happening. She had no fear of calling public health officials from Minneapolis for assistance. Doctors from the Minneapolis Health Department visited Hopkins and agreed it was scarlet fever. The State of Minnesota was called in and directions soon followed for a city-wide quarantine. Catherine Burnes and Hopkins Mayor Paul Swenson, president of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company, ordered an immediate house-to-house inspection and |
 Artifact from the Hopkins Historical Society collections.
promised incarceration to the non-compliant. Five deaths had been reported in Hopkins and the State of Minnesota was threatening to surround the city with armed guards to prevent anyone from entering or leaving.
Historically, it should be noted, quarantines were met with resistance. No one (not even family members) could enter the house after a quarantine sign was posted, children could not play with their friends and homes were unpleasantly fumigated with formaldehyde prior to quarantine. But Doc Kate stood her ground. She was not afraid to identify the disease, call it scarlet fever and comply with every request from the Minnesota Department of Public Health. Dr. Burnes’ enforcement of strict quarantine protocol prevented further deaths and reversed the spread of the disease. In a 1932 Minneapolis Star opinion piece, Doc Kate was described as a “thrilling example of perseverance, courage and enterprise”. And that was our Doc Kate in action! |
Burnes Family History Acknowledgements
Hennepin County Review
Minneapolis Tribune
Minneapolis Journal
Minneapolis StarPioneer
Physicians in Hopkins, a memoir by Jeanette Blake
Burnes Family Reunion, by Bruce Burnes Remembering, A book about the Burnes family by Clint and Dot Burnes
Hennepin County Review
Minneapolis Tribune
Minneapolis Journal
Minneapolis StarPioneer
Physicians in Hopkins, a memoir by Jeanette Blake
Burnes Family Reunion, by Bruce Burnes Remembering, A book about the Burnes family by Clint and Dot Burnes