The New York herald., 1875-12-28
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
A FORMER Pupils ACCOUNT or THE CAUSES OF
EpIDEMIcs AT THE INSTITUTION

FORMER PUPILS ACCOUNT or THE CAUSES OF
EpIDEMrcs AT THE INSTITUTION
To THE EDITOR HERALD
The columns Of the HERALD always open to the
public for criticism and corrections, and l take
the liberty say word two reference to the out
break of typhoid fever the New York Institution for
the Deaf aud Dumb which is situated Eleventh ave
nue. and 162d street
am graduate Of the above institution and was
under six years course of instruction While was
there was under Dr. Rodcnstens and Dr. Brooks
care and not under Dr Porter's the present Super
ntendent and resident physician, for he was chosen
in the year 1872, think During my time 1
many outbreaks OF epidcmics Twice the typhoid
fever appeared-once IN alaaning form, but only
fifteen pupils OF $50 died. and the fever was soon
under control This appeared at the time Dr. Rodcn-
stein had charge. Such outbreaks are not believe
caused by the road aud the water in the cave as
DR.. Porter lately stated reporter Of the HERALD.
/ think that the Of such outbreaks are the
following pupil myself that the floor in
the boys washroom always wet and the walls
damp The sitting room in which the boys study is
very large and airy, but the desks close together
and the pupils not pleased TO sit close. During
the cold weather great difficulty is experienced in heat
ing this room TO comfortable temperature This
sitting room is warmed by steam pIpes which run
around IL and are adjusted TO the walls.
The school rooms on the third tier have Of late been
changed into bedrooms and they are as large
common cooking rooms In these rooms large num-
ber OF pupils sleep and u is known that The air at
night is very unpleasant-the windows being closed
and injurious to the health OF the occupants In each
OF the other dormtorcs there is very large number
OF boys Of all sizes and ages, sleeping not than
two feet apart iron beds; and when cold weather
sets in ii is also difficult to warm these dormores to
a comfortable t-mperature, and the breathing which
from each sleeper 10 be OF bitter nature
for PERSONS breathing differs from another's.
Nearly every dormitory and room in the building has
sink and when the pipes are broken the stencil awful
There is swill-house adjoining the priyy vault
garbage of every description empticd therein, and
the stencil that arises from 1t is both unpleasant
and unhealthy to the pupils, and II Is constant
Of death or sickness TO the inmates The swi is
taken away by a colorcd In open wagon but
what is done with il is not known to me. The pond
just below the institution is very unhealthy, and ought
at once TO be filled When the river falls mud is only
visible aud the stencil Is clearly manifested TO the
pupils when the wind drives IL over the premises The
pupils of whatever age they may be, indulge in sports
in winter and they do not care for the rainy days
1t is mostly in winter when they get their feet wet
and being unable to change their wet stockings in the
day time they hang them on the steam
pipes in the sitting room to get them dry;
but most OF them do not whether
they catch cold not and therefore keep their
stockings on through the day. The supervisors and
managers know OF this, and whenever the pupils want
to change their clothes they ought to be allowed to do
Often when the pupils cannot find their clean un
derwear on Saturdays or Sundays they keep their
dirty for another week so, and ask If this
Is healthy. In the bathing room there is large basin
filled with water, IN Wnlch eacn class mas turn 10
bathe every Saturday but the water is not changed for
each class In this sagnant water all the boys bathe
and is not this unhealthy? When pupil
complains OF being sick he is sent to the sick
ROOM whore other patients are placed, and II Is not
known what disease sickness he has till he grows
little worse or till the nurse calls on him. For
instance should person have the typhoid fever he is
sent TO tho sick room Before the typhoid fever pa
tient is closely examined OF the other pa
tients are laid up with the fever Why do not such
persons have a close examination before being sent
there TO spread the dseasef
The managers know ali about the above and there
fore plea Of ignorance their part IS plea Of guilt
Whenever the pupils appear before some one to
plain there Is always on the side Of the oppressor
power, and for the oppressed there is no helpcN
aud everything is "choked of. The institution is
unlike other ones, for IL viii be seen that sick
ness of some kEd breaks out at II nearly every
year This institution Is very popular and Is great
gin the metropolis " has impaired the blessings OF
an education TO more than 450 deaf mutes It's
opening in 1915 and has elevated many deaf mues 20
tho pinnacle OF ordinary intellectual abilities II
tain that DR.. Porter, the superintendent, does not
want such trincs known 20 the public for 1t
tinous source OF trouble, because the parents and
friends OF the pupils 60 to tho school
after hearing oil the epidemic, and only re-
turn with Joy after finding their children
doing well; but some alarmed that tney take
their children home for better care This Ia all
sense for il is great loss to the State because each
pupil over twelve years old receives $500 year
for board and $50 for crothng, beside medical care;
and when the fever breaks out and proves OF severe
and during that time portion Of their $3.50 is laid
away; and they have OF eight years part OF
their time is spent for nothing; and should they 80
homo fall for month In every khau