New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-20
A HOSPITAL PLAGUE.


pIJERpERAL FEVER SPREADS ALARMINGLY AT BELLE
VUE HOSPITAL AND DEFIEs THE PHYsICLANS-A
SECTION OF THE BUILDING ABANDONED AND
WOMEN ATTACKED BY THE DISEASE REMOVED
TO BIACKwELLs ISLAND.
The treat and sOmber-lo0king building fac
ing East River at the foot OF Twenty sXth-st, called
Bellevue Hospital. built, at the beginning of the
present century. for an amshouse. Situated in the
fields far beyond the limits OF the city, the site
sdered an excellent one for such an institution. The
buildings had been occupied as an almshouse for 20
years, when the city authorities built "a penentary
near 1t. the same grounds Fifteen years passed
and then the paupers taken to more
comfortable Blackwells Island. the two build
ings were united, and the former almshOuse became
great prison. Another decade and the cOnvlcts were
also transported Blackwes Island, aud in lack Of
any other put 1t to- the building occupied as
hospital 1t was not constructed for such pur-
pose thick brick walls running through center OF
the building from the basement to the roof which had
been erected for the better keeping of the cOnvcs
enectually prevented ventilation. There were also
many other faults OF construction which rendered the
building unfit for hospital. Nevertheless it was used
as such for many years efforts being constantly
made to adapt to the to which it put. Arches
have been cut in brick walls referred to- and small
degree Of ventilation secured; other improvements
have been made but still surgeons dissatisfied with
lis arran cement. The persons having charge of the
hospital been also harassed almost every year by
the presence of some epidemic within its walls On
the ply have been vanquished
by yruent diseases and have ordered the abandonment
of sections OF the building which the epidemic was
raging. The infected rooms have been usually thor
oughy reconstructed, flooring and ceilings put in
and the patients brought back
The officers Of the hospital have, during the past
month. been engaged In conflict OF the kind lust de-
scrbed and unable to conquer the epidemic have been
compelled order the abandonment OF OF the build
ing. The disease, which has compelled Warde Brennan
to take the only OF saving the life OF
patients, puerperal fever sometimes termed child
bed fever. This is disease winch only attacks women
Immediately after childbirth. Women who have
been confined IN a large hospital more liable
to have the disease in the opinion OF most physicians
than women who have been confined in their homes II
is believed that germs OF tho disease COLLIER mora
rapidly where there large number OF patients of
this class in the room. aud also that the nervoDs
excitement aroused by being among such a crowd M
persons renders patient more susceptible 10 the di,
ense The disease considered infectious Pbysic,ans
have the of patients suffering from the fever
usually refuse TO attend woman about TO be confined
disease in their clothes to the bedside Of the
new patient The physicians Of the hospital
great care during the conflict just passed with the
disease To avoid carrying 1t with them into households
the city The fever caused the ply having the
care OF the 0bsetrca wards much anxiety during the
Winter There only few but these we're of
very vlruent nature Despite every effort eradl-
cate it, the disease also seized upon new patients and
the opinion at last became general among the physi-
clans that the walls OF the had become injected
that there no possible way OF stamping IL
out. In April the disease suddenly developed alarming
strength several women In succession, who had been
confined taking the disease The ply sclans told Warden
Brennan that the only way or protecting the women
who were about to be confined from being attacked by
the disease them from the Infected rooms
The women were accordingly removed from rooms
which they occupied In the third story Of the building
10 rooms In second story. Here for fortnight thu dis
ease did not increase ana indeed seemed 70 be suued
III The middle of May however II again and day
after day increased ia strength. Again every effort was
made eradicate IL. and again the effort unsucces,
nj. Every woman VINO was attacked by the disease
was removed from Ihe room but stl tho disease CON
tinued Its attacks A fortnight ago the disease had
such an appearance OF being epidemic and was 40
deadly that the decided 10 have this class of