New-York tribune., 1875-02-06
THE BATTLE AGAINST DISEASE.

HE BATTLE AGAINST DloEAoE.
NUMEROUS SMALLPOX CASES IN THE crrY-EFFoRTs
OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH RESTRICTED BY TIE
PARsMoNY OF THE CITY.
Sanitary Superintendent Day being asked
yesterday concerning the condition Of the city In resard
to small pox and other contagious diseases, said
while the number OF cases OF smallpox Is still large
dphthera and other diseases had decreased somewhat
pressure OF Increased sanitary vigilance aud
more extended inspections" Further inquiries proved
that for many weeks back tho city has had many
cas- sea Of smallpox that II may Justly bo regarded
almost epidemic.
The Board Of Health have been forced 10 discharge
the extra upon the vaccinating corps on account
OF the reduced appropriation, and the pernanenE mem
bers Of that Bureau cannot yaccinae the entire city,
they take much time to do it, While these few
men going from house TO house IN one section Of the
city, smallpox may bo devastating other portions.
superintendent Day said further that few persOns
dertand what obstacles arise In house TO house vacci
nations. The public generally have vague impression
that when the doctor enters the tenement OF perhaps
ten dozen families ak the inmates, having been IN
formed OF the intended visit, which made for their
good and their protection from terrible disease assem-
be and with barred arms patiently await their turn
The reality Is very different aud reason
why house to house vaccination has been OF
Httlo service, is because the inmates
If they expect the doctor make IL their particular bust
to be away at tue time Then In cases where tho
absence is not willfd many must bo away from home
great part OF the time, engaged IN some employment
Thus 1t is that member Of the vaccneting corps may
do h duty the he cam and yet depart from Sec
leaving very large number Of It's reidents eth
unprotected against smallpox The only way % Insure
protection in those regions which really need II tho
divide the city into such small districts that
the ysccinatng cOJps, each being assigned seoton'
can 60 ground again and again. until DO ono
has been left unYaccinated This is an utter
inn W
Even when tho doctor finds the inmates OF
the tenement at homo. he generally Is obliged TO con
sumo great deal OF valuable time in showing them how
much it is for their interest TO be protected by vaccna
ton and often has to return several times before be
persuade them to do what ls for Their own good Tle
persons who are not or will not be yaccnated mngle
Wi other people In the streets and puOc cOnVeyances
ana thus attract tue c0Dtdgion wherever found ana
spread II themselves among their Ignorant aud super
The Board Health cannot do moro unless t Is given
the means. Tile smallpox hospital "a so tull tnht II yen
more patients should be senC it. as Is very likely 10
happen before any cOnvaescents depart there W not
be a vacant bed. Another pavilion shouid Do huu1ui &
Rut there not money enough 10 manage properly the
buildings now occupied. Egnty cases OI snauIpS
have been reported IN the past weeE up TO sttIday
nOou There Is doubt that the increased vigilance ~
Inspectors and the increased conVenlenco Or treat
ing smallpox patients, nave grea ly enlarged the mum
bcf reported. Uns1rupuous phys.ians know th1t they
ruu too great IN cOncea!lng these cases TO 10 as
they nave been in the habit Of dong heretofore Ths
only IN part however accounts for the number OF cl'es
smallpox. and II is usces 70 deny tai the ulseds'
has Accone widely spread through thlt ely. -, A..
Assistant Superintendent Jones said yesterday, that
very large number OF small thing, necessary To tIe
patients in the smallpox hOspita. nave yet 10 be pro-
cured Dealers decline to sell thCl: goods, and after
wards put to the trouble and annoyance of collecting
their bills the Dest way that they cal lie sad' lhiF
Just been 10 buy some sponges ahd q lhtIy Ot
crackers for the smallpox hospital went % the ware
houses where knew could get the Dest goods Tor the
least 1Gey all glad 10 sell at tue lowest
market price, but refused cmphatca % dispose or hcr
goods and be put to the trouble OF collecting thor Ds
OF the city under tho present nuduct aeFAl SeAeh''
involving delays aud probable aw--nlt-. These alc
certainly drawbacks that could Do very easily
remoded.
In spite these obstacles the most serious OF which
has reduction of the estmIe OF the Board oi
Health the SMALLPOX hospital has been plac IN eXceh
lent condition. Patients who are taken there receive
better treatment and nursing than they could ~
their resi- fences. Everything IN and about the hos
ptl has been arranged for tue best good OK smallpox
patients and possible comfort II provided skilled
medical attendance Ia constantly about the hospital dnC
trained nurses minister to every necessity. satlscs
show that the dcath-rate in tins hospital j. yery much
smaller than in the same number OF cases treated I'd
private practice. person tuds stands lnurh Detti
chance OF making good recovery at the smallpox Los
pitil than If he were permitted 10 remain a
home. The family protected, and the patient
greatly benefited by the change. The man reason im
being disease with very distinct crisis IL Is hccJs
sary, in order TO the PATIENTS e often To DO JUS
light thing at the right time. with skilled phy
scian constantly III ATTENDANCE and trained nurses Wh'
familiar with every phase OF tAc iseAse, THIS can Oi
done with much certainty than at private resi-
dence, under treatment OY physician who cannot Ot
SO familiar with small pOx, aud uUder nursing Oy per
whom the physician could not watch ana control
II the City VIII give the Health Department
what they truly need aud lave asked IN good lam
much more can be accomplished for tho public good
with only little larger expenditure.