The New York herald., 1879-12-14
DEADLY MEASLES.
RAvAGEs OF THE DISEASE IN A BABY SHELTER
THREE DEArHs-sIxrEEN ADDITIONAL CASES

RAvAGES OF THE DISEASE IN BABY SHELTER
THREE DEArHs-sIxrEEN ADDITIONAL CASES
OF SICKNESS.
Sixteen babies are affected with the measles at the
Babies Shelter. No. l43 West Twentieth street.
charity under the care of the Church of the Holy
Communion. Three deaths during the week In this
institution have been reported the Board of
Health and yesterday 1t stated that three cases
OF diphtheria had also appeared among the in
fants, caused by defective drainage. An
other babe will probably die from ex-
haustion. The shelter receives children OF
tender age whose parents unable to provide for
them but its quarters restricted and Sister Lu-
creta. who is in charge OF the institution is often
obliged to refuse admittance to deserving cases.
Besides caring for babies until they have outgrown
infancy children also admitted for the day. while
their mothers at work. and at night are taken
away. 1t was from one OF these "day children" that
the measles communicated to the little inmates
OF the shelter and they were all in one room at
the time the disease mad full sway. Out of the
twenty children who exposed all but one fell
sick The parents OF the infants who died were with
them during their sickness.
r. s. Drake. OF No. 50 West Twenty nth street. who
is the visiting physician OF the shelter, TO inquire
after the condition OF the children and learn the
cause OF their sickness.
1.-The children caught the measles" he said. "from
child who left III the Of the shelter during
the day which was OF course, something that could
hardly have been prevented. There & rs no pnysca,
the institution. The nurse in charge has kind OF
recommendation from responsible parties that the
woman who brings her child to the shelter is de-
serving and that il ALL II is impossible to say how
the lii tie ones will como out. but think only one
more case will prove fatal and that from exhsus-
tion."
DETECTIVE DRAINAGE.
who is responsible, Doctor, for the defective
drainage which caused diphtheria to appearY
During the past three years there have been ire.
Quent examinations made OF the plumbing. and last
tall the plumber employed IN the institutions fos-
tered by the Church OF the Holy Communion went
over the premises and pronounced them all right.
But you know how such examn nations are sometimes
made. To the defective drainage attribute the
casos OF diphtheria and the malignant type
OF measles that mas anicsed several OF ine Inc
they were all in one room. but since
the disease first appeared about twelve days we
have separated them When we get the money wo
shall have more room in larger building The child
did not fall sick has been exposed to contagion
already and Is not in danger from remaining in the
house. The shelter has thus become hospital and
we may find it necessary to press into service the
OF the Church Of the Holy Communion"
HAS the Board of Health made AL examination OF
the premisesy
officer ana have called on DR.. James in reference to
the matter. Mr.. Klein. who lives next door to the
shelter. complained to the Board of HEALTH under
stand that half . dozen children had recently died
from smallpox in the shelter, but there were not
that number OF deaths IN the institution on record
the Bureau Of Vital Statistics, and as imagine 1t
was not thought that would sign o certificate OF
stating any other than the real of DEATH
the story was hardly CREDITED. have served the
shelter since 1871, and during the past i've years
especially it has not been troubled with contagious
diseases. There sporadic case of smallpox and
but two of diphtheria You must remember
that the majority OF the children admitted more
or less scrofulous and have not been properly
nursed."
visit the shelter reveals to the casual observer
that great deal Of care is expended by the nurses
to keep it in good condition, and that the babies
joy much attention as their wants may demand.
They tucked away in clean. cosey cribs and eye
strangers with looks OF astonshment Sister
Lucretia said last evening that officer from the
Board of Health had yet called, although the Board
had been notified OH Friday. There had been ap.
parent change in the condition Of the children and
they thought only one more case would prove fatal
She also said there was only one pronounced case
of diphtheria. although two children had symptoms
of the disease.