New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-28
TIE CARE OF SMALLPOX PATIENTS

/ 00AAo VI O&AAA1VA PATIENTS.
Under existing sanitary regulations in
operation here, it is customary to take
patients suffering with smallpox or vario-
lold nom their sick beds and remove
them to one or the other Of the pest
houses known as private hospitals. Such
removal is always hazardous to the life of
the patient, and has frequently resulted
in death within day or two after arriving
at the so-called hospital
Under certain restrictions, doubtless,
the health officers ought to be clothed
with authority to remove persons suffer-
Ing from contagious diseases, especially
when, in the opinion of conscientious
and capable physician, their presence en-
dangers the health of tho locality
in which they live. The Law has done
this much and no more. It was adopted
solely to protect the public health, and
not to increase the patronage and gains of
the owners Of the pest houses. Yet it is
not little remarkable that the chief inter-
ested manifested in such removals is
shown by those persons who are in some
manner connected with these hospitals.
A correspondent Of the Bulletin ex-
presses his qualification (he says .'the
public will be gratifed'') to learn that |
DR.. Newman has been removed from the |
position of sanitary inspector, because
he placed some sort Of restriction upon |
the habit Of snatching patients out of
warm bed and carting them off to hos
pital to die, perchance, in cold room.
We know nothing about the alleged &C
lion Of DIR. Newman, nor whether he ex-
,eeded his authority under the law or not.
He is amenable to the legal tribunals if
re made improper e1actions. But we
insist that it was his duty not to permit
he removal of sick persons from their
10 mes and sent to be cared for by stran-
'ers and hirelings, unless, in his judy
nent, the public safety requires such
'lsk to the patient. The presence of one
ase OF smallpox or varioloid in a neigh.
orhood does not increase the liability
+ contagion beyond the premises as many
1embers of the faculty maintain.
When, however, smallpox prevails ex-
the virus is in the atmosphere,
nd is as likely to be waited over the city
q the breezes which fan the chimney
BPS and whirl through the halls and
penings Of pest house as any other.
ne act OF carrying patient afflicted
It'll contagious disease through the q
reefs multiplies the chances for infec-
on in the ratio of the distance he is car
ed, while the place he leaves behind | 6
m continues to be as bad as before he i
tt it. There have been cases in which i
veral persons lay dead, and others c
ing, from smallpox, in the same place, $
It'll none to remove the dead or wait | v
ION the sick. A regulation has been t,
Gently adopted to take care of such il
lpless people, and allay the public ter a
arising from fear Of the spread of s,
lection. The enterprising proprietors Ii
private hospitals have endeavored to is
use the authority thus given for a N
name purpose, and clamor for every Of
rson afflicted with slight breaking CT
t, though perhaps not more serious
IN pimples caused by musquito bites. tb
We hope the Board Of Health will feel | M
their duty to protect the public from tb
n rapacity, sustained by often ILL., NJ
'unded fears. A rule should be adopt tn
prohibiting the removal of patient wi
ept upon the advice of his own pbysi- tn
n, concurring with the sanitary in I'll
ctor, or in case of dispute upon the tn
es of the board or the president. The Be
sons who are more intent upon filling .h,
private hospitals with patients are not ia,
proper judges in such delicate mat de
, and ought not to be consulted in any MI
aner. They should be kept within bis
ain prescribed limits as they do hack in
and hotel runners at railway depot, he
not allowed to pounce down upon to
r victims till there is real necessity mi
their services. du,
en-
THE UNHAPPY VERMILIoNITEs. snc