The New York herald., 1879-09-09
DECAPITATED PAUPERS.

WHAT THE OFFICIALS SAY OF THE RECENT
CASE AT BLAcKwELL's ISLAND.
The story Of the head chopping and bone boiling
exploit of the young doctor at the Almshouse,
printed in the HERALD yesterday. created profound
impression. "The interest OF science be hanged"
said excited individual. rising from the perusa
of the article. "Its simple barbarity. that's what
1t is; committed, too, right under the Of the
public. What's to become of the bodies Of the
poor paupers on Blackwell's Island il every young
doctor who goes there-and there two just
fedaed every yearis to be allowed to hack them
in the interest Of science?"
The disposition of the dc ad, said Warden vought.
s subject to the law and the rules of the Commis-
sioners. Immediately after death we place the
bodies in the dead house. q small building on the
other side Of the island, and from there they are
shipped to the Morgue Ii they have frien ds send
sam Se dead If tsy g1 sds % S ana
are buried in the Potters Field Hart's Island"
But don't the medical students. or at least tho
medical colleges get many of them for dissection.
DIR. StubeDbord tells me 1t is the constant practice
to apply for leg. or an arm whole body for
dissection IN the interest OF SCIENCE" said the
porter.
.It is probable that is So" replied the Warden;
but II IL is done. it is done by authority and after
the bodies leave the island. / do not even know to
whom the application Is made. but know we have
no authority here to dispose of them except in tho
way told you, and unless the law or the Comms-
sioners give them tho right am not disposed to al
low the Almshouse physicians to dissect any Of the
inmates Of this institution"
"How do the inmates feel about it?''
''There a good deal of feeling among them
when the story got out, but everything is quiet
Everywhere the HERAID's story was the subject of
conversation. 'The HERALD is to be thanked for
exposing the outrage said former Com IN ssioner Of
Charities and Correction, land there is no knowing
how many Others OF similar kind are perpetrated
there. detective ought to be sent over to watch
things."
DIR. Stubenbord makes light Of the affair. ..There
is always hitch over here, he said to the reporter
on Sunday, "between the officials and the DOCTORS
The officials you see are politicians and the doctors
are not They want o sensation, and we think things
of this kind ought to be kept quiet az possible.
They care for politics only and wholly inter-
ested in science and the development OF the art Of
healing.
During the day yesterday reporter called = tho
Department of Charities and Corrections to inquire
what steps were to be taken in the matter None of
the Commissioners present, but 1t was learned
that an investigation had been ordered for Monday
next, and that 1t is to be thorough one. There
seems to be dispute the facts" said one OF
the officials ut the department ~ by the HERALD
this morning that the doctor docs not deny tho
head chopping and the bone boiling. The only
question then will be as to his right to dssect
bodies. Tho right TO make an autopsy is clear but
whether IL carries with IL the right turn the hos
pital into u disecting room for the benefit of the
resident physician is question to be settled"