New-York tribune., 1874-06-24
TIE TAINTED HOSPITAL.

ACTION OF THE MEDICAL BOARD AT BELLEVUE IN
VIEW OF THE INRoADs OF PuERPERAL FEVER.
A narrative describing a recent struggle OF
the physicians OF Bellevue Hospital with puerpera fever
appeared in THE TRIBUNE Of Saturday. II was stated
that the disease had caused the physicians much
anxiety during the Winter that in April the number OF
cases suddenly increased and the Warden removed the
patients from rooms the third h0or, which they
were occupying, 10 other apartments on the second
floor; that nevertheless the disease continued TO be
epidemic and finally compelled the physicans,
q fortnight ago, 10 remove AL the patiehls
TO pavilion on Blackweus Island. Ihe
patients occupy long one-sorY building on the island
II has been used before temporary hospital for per-
sons suffering from this fever although not for IL
months past During that period the and sunlight
have been permitted enter freely at every window
There fear therefore, that the building Is not in
good sanitary condition Since their removal TO the
island only few OF the who have been confined
have been attacked by the disease and this seems 10
prove that the infected walls OF Bellevue Hospital were
indeed the great mortality The patients can
not be readily cared for Backwes Island as at the
hospital as the ply scans have practice in the city and
lose time going the island. AS soon as healthy ac-
commodations be provided for the patients In this
city therefore, is the intention OF the hospital ofcias
them back 1t is not yet determined whether or
not the patients will again be lodged in the hospital
The Commissioners Of Charities and Correction, soon
requested the Medical Board Of the hospital TO report to
them the provisions that ought 20 be made for the safe
accommodation Of lyiDg-in women.
The Board met on Monday, there being present the
following physicians and surgeons: Drs Taylor, CarA
Smith, Hamilton, Loomis, Sands, Janeway Barker,
Lusk. sayre. Markoe Flint, and Polk. letter was
from the Secretary Training School for Nurses
asking that building near the hospital be selected
for the OF the oostetrc wards The letter was
placed file. DR.. Fordyce Barker presented the fol-
lowing resolution which was passed
Of Public Charities and Correction
b reqnrsted 10 remove TIE entire ypgin see rom ne @
s hospital Ss reSoTed to some selected the
tbs De requested to .eec oeaiy hospital possible
On motion of Dr. Barker. the Warden was directed to
have ceilings hoors.I aud woodwork OF the yngln
wards removed aud closets placed outside the build
on motion Of DR.. sayre, it was declared as the
opinion OF the Bsard that it would be imprudent and
unsafe 70 transfer the obstetrca department 70 the
Blackweps Island pavillons, suggested by the Com
msioners OF Charities and Correction ihe physicians
Obstetrical de partment appointed commit
to confer with the Commissioners IN regard 10
temporary hospital for that department, and also
to propose improvements in the hospital build
ing itself DR.. Barker suggested that the Board
recommend the erection OF separate maternity hos
ptai IN connection with Bellevue Hospital The Com
mttee were also instructed TO make this last recon-
mendation. DR.. william 7. Lusk stated that While III
March the by puerpera fever was IN tue ratio
OF 10 in May It had increased TO IN g. and that by
the time better system had been introduced and
measures taken stamp out the disease the epidemic
had reached such hight as TO render necessary tue
Abandonment Of the wards.
Several memDe OF the Board stated that IL was their
belief that although the the hospital recently
occupied by the puerpera fever patients should DC
thoroughly reconstructed still the disease would soon
reappear The crowdng together Of 30 many patients
in such an Demonstrated hospital would of itself breed
the disease The only efecual remedy was to place the
patients building above suspicion in regard 10
sanitary condition Some building situated near the
hospital might this class OF patients,
one III ight he erected on the hospital grounds.
Tn. rooms IN the hosptal which have been abandoned
on account OF the fever the same condition
when patient, were taken 20 BlackweIIs Island,
fortnght ago Nothing has vet been done 70 dsnfect
them beyond washing the floors. Warden Brennan
stated yesterday that the work OF renovation would
take several weeks and that whether repaired
II would be prudent TO place the Iyngln women in
the before the middle Of september. Dr. Fordyce
College that during the past Is years pnerperal
fever recurred epidemic seven times Warden
Brennan, who has been connected with the hospital
service past states that none OF these
occasions have the Commissioners OF Charities aud Cor
rection had the rOom dslniected IN the manner now
The lady members OF the State Charities Aid Society
residing IN THIS city are endeayor!ng 70 nave Belevle
experience gained By physicians wno nave had charge
Of hospitals during the recent great wars Tney have
discovered they assert that the best hospital buildings
are tAose Whlo II are Ohy one syor' AZ nsnt a ga n'l
width. There would be room for such building on
land winch could be reclaimed between the present nos
pal building the water-ine OF the river. BY way
Of experiment small building OF the KIND described
could De built and either the ylngn patients or others
from me surgical wards cOud Oe pace "IIlI ~ hine
would then show whether fourstOry hospital bindings
think be proved without mucn expense also whether
Bellevue Hospital might rot be demolished ana reaced
by another which would TAR better preserve human ie.