When the doctor's wife became ill, he could not stay with her when there were so many others who needed him. He called on Lovinia Francis, who had herself recently recovered from the flu, to help. Willingly, "Aunt Vean" stayed with the doctor's wife, caring for her until the flu had passed. The doctor credited her with saving the life of his wife during this crucial time.103 The entire town of Porterville was quarantined with the doctor diagnosing the illness as scarlet fever. He wouldn't let anyone get near Morgan. Lawrence Porter of Porterville stayed in Morgan and brought groceries part way and left them, and someone from Porterville would then pick them up. The doctor treated the disease with rubbing alcohol and cough syrup. Some people were not satisfied with the diagnosis and called another doctor. Medical ethics prevented him from changing the diagnosis, but he was heard to remark, "The people in Porterville had measles. If there had been that many cases of scarlet fever, they would have buried half the town." Nevertheless, some people insisted they had had scarlet fever.104 The Samuel Francis family was quarantined for scarlet fever in February 1898. Samuel rather enjoyed a Sunday at home with all church meetings cancelled. He read English literature in the morning, the dairy papers in the afternoon, and wrote a letter to his sister in the evening.105 Diphtheria seemed to hold the greatest threat for the people. After attending a general conference in Salt Lake City, Esther Francis and her daughter, Lovinia, contracted diphtheria and became very ill. They were attended by Dr. Osgood and also Dr. Rich.106 In October 1899, Samuel bought bromo-quinine to give them. Their doctor injected an antitoxin into their arms for diphtheria, and they both developed partial paralysis. Samuel wrote; "Friday, October 27, 1899; Mrs. F. seemed better this morning. But in the afternoon and evening the pains returned and were more violent than ever. I prayed long and earnestly to the Lord for her relief and after hours of continued earnest prayer, God heard my prayer and Mrs. F. got easy after midnight and was free from pain, but still very sore. Thanks to God for improvement in her health." On Sunday, 12 November 1899, Samuel continued: "Meetings and Sunday Schools in Morgan City all stopped and eight families quarantined for diphtheria. . . . Mrs. Geary of Round Valley died today. She and her husband were among the first settlers in Round Valley. "Monday, 13th: Mrs. F. had the worst night of all last night, did not lay down all night. I called Sam and Alonzo [his sons] to assist me in administering the ordinance to her. Gave her a morphine pill about midnight. "10f About a month later, Joe Francis, Samuel's son, was quarantined for diphtheria. Esther was feeling better by this time, and she went with Samuel to visit Joe. They talked with him through his door. The next day, Samuel wrote; "Monday, December 18, 1899: 10 below zero. Very cold this morning. Coldest day of the winter. My cold troubled me this morning. In the evening, Joe was so much worse we brought him home 72