The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-09
The Pcnifentiary Hospital ard the Reform
At Rsaui2 es,


In Wednesdays HERALD the followrg appeared IN isr
head IN tia summary gave of the meeting Of
the Board of Ter Governors:-
There SIS patients IN 81 Penitcntiary hospital,
of Vht 232--oyeI twothirdezbe from tn Wcrkhouse
and only SO rem tie Amsr63he. This either shows a
vy poor state # hea th among the inmates Of the ok
h use, great suornt OF rcgueIy, which i re
HEY they thereby escape bard work snG
comfortable Ldeirgs in the aospi al.
In saying this would he understood as reflect
ing the enentiary hospital its medical head Dr.
Sanger. The truth of the matter seems to be this.
Tha greater portion Of these 2s2 patients were self
ued Ones for the express purpose Of receiving
dca aid from the Penitentary Hospital in charge Of
Dr. ssrger. TLis process If self commitment was com
msnted en-, some months since, In the HERALD, and
Of lis bad features shown. Here is enc Of them.
poor diseased creature applies to of the Police
justices to he Backwes Island she states that
sbs Is afflicted with disease diseases arising from
dissipation of various kinds that she is homeless and
pepress and wishes 70 be sent to the hospital The
gis.rae makes commitment ard consigns the applicant
TO the Ter tentia,y or the Workhouse.
New, these perfcns asted 60 TO the hospital and
they 10. proper subjects for any other institution
the island. But the law ensced when Blackwell a.
lane csy's jou from the city sends them all to
10 The Peuiisntxy or Workhouse and OF course their
situate and the nature of their diseases pei ply
scian torsnsier hese suffering specimens Of humanity
10 the hospital jcr medical traa rent By recent order
of the board learn all drst sent to the Work
house and from thence transferred for medical aid for
very many CT them iaborirg under venersal disease
in foi ana the ply icians obliged separate
them FIJI m those fIt fIom illness.
Now the great portion OF these 232 whether self
nitted not should have been sent the Work
houee They should have been sent direct to the Penen
Tertiary hospital there TO remsin until caied and the
the other ruons should not have been troubled with
them in shy shape or form.
There is screw loose IN this matter of police m3gs-
trates committing persons 70 Blacs wells Island be
they sick, and gvir them from to six months
time there. Wha do they know about venerea disease
Sickness Of any hind and how Go they know
whether It will take week forty months to relieve
one Of the Q sick creatures? The whoe power of
Is'snd should be fsken from The police magistrates
and given to the Ten Gcverncrs and the latter body
should be in their comm menss by the counsel
Of well seIec d. shrewd physician, who should have
Office In the RotuLda and should report 10 wiring to
the Board all plcstions Tor ai mission to the Black
Wells Islard hcspia A, furthermore this hospital to
which these epters ere cent, should be separate and
distinct from al c'fet insitsti the Island. And
sgsin tie patients 'hS ud uised by the Governors
70 remain until cured or released by eeash.
y Deecs no srguneut u c1uvince OF sense that
this is the to te egad to the diseases
treated Ia the peIiten fy hosi al and that would do
much 70 relieve the 81 la 81 foul disease that Ia
driven om its proper spital by The unwise and
arbitrary laws governing the admissions thereto.
The oce Committee appointed by the last Legislature,
with Mr.. Stuyvessnt at its head, would do we'll look
into this mater snd eEeye the police magistrates of this
medical duty. The Beard If Ten Governors would be
doing themselves discredt by assisting this neces-
sary alteration. Aher the law II Is be bind the age
As for the Aims House, that Is pauper institution
and only these suffering from vebereai diseases are
ferred 10 The penitsntisy hospital.