New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-30
WORK OF TIE SUMNER PHYSICIANS.
cHr1pRENs COMPLAINTS INCREASING.

THE STOICfSM OF 1HE foon-i"O AA''-
SISTERS AND BLIND MAN.
The reports of the extra summer corps Of sanitary
inspectors for the third week were deposited AT
headquarters yesterday morning. the percentage
of illness showing a slight increase as compaIed
with the first two weeks. Thus far the geberal
condition of the tenement-house population has
been satisfactory, less disease prevahg yuan is'
year at this season The unassigned districts, III
cludnp Mulberry and Baxter SITS. among others,
are now under regular medical Inspection ana inc
work in all directions is going on Iapiuy ,er
s s1Sc'S mors crowded districts the inspectors
have nearly completed their rounds. Al
though the average health OF children remains
satisfactory, there has been decided increase OF
cholera InfantuIn during the last week and August
will probably give large percentage OF deaths
from this disease. But the duties OF tne inspector
are not confined to this numerous class OF sufferers
He finds among adults many cases calling iol
and treatment, and serious inroads are maze upon
his time and strength by this extra aooI
Contrary to general opinion the extremely po ba
do not proclaim their grievances, often bearing lle
keenest bodily suffering with stolcsm winch Is al
most marvellous <5 .ho;r
ewes dim with long hours of toll and one III the lats
st ages of disease which IN q higher walk OF lle
would have made the unfortunate sufferer neipiess
months before. Both women were OLD Dotn were
wasted by prvaton and worn with incessant Toll
But one sight rarely seen even IN tue wa,as
of the great metropolitan hospitals. wasted
literally to a skeleton, 1t seemed strange that such
an utter wreck could still struggle on to prolone
life which disease and poverty had mace one cease
on coarse cheap clothing and scarcely raised thclr
ewes when the inspector entered At first little IN
formation could be gained but nnaily tne women
told their story. Loss through the falinre o, "a
bank in which all their savings were placed had
compelled them to resort TO their present employ
ment. Two years ago the sick one began 10 i au
and she had gradually gotten worse anu worse. anu
now she could only work lew hours
day because when the pains came ON, she
lost control Of herself aud could not ner
doctors but none had helped her. 1hey hoped 10
keep out of the almshouse but 1t was nara WORK
and the rent high. No, she would not go 70 lne
hospital She could not leave her sister and was
afraid of hospitals. She hoped to be better IN the
autumn but the hot weather was hard TO pear II
not strong ahfrg
life which had only two elcments-unceasing tol!
and unceasng pain. And yet THESE women du lot
their lot Ttn t anst were e even SATISFIED
and thankful II the p1ttance gained oy WE'VE
or fifteen hours combining labor, wouId give
them enough food to support life ana Keep inc ren'
paid. ...on .,ooL,oc
In a house far down on Water-st., after knocking
twice, the door was flung open WIN v9liey OF
oaths and large, Iough-lookirg man Dlooked inc
way IN manner which was not calculated 10 invite
abrupt intrusion. "Well, X you can cure man OF
blindness come In but IT'S not pretty place ana
guess YOU won't want to stop long," was the cordial
INVITATION when the e,rand was explained. The
room was at tho back OF the house, overlook
ing yacan; lot when vas snif o"d Ioa,o W
rubbish. Lighted by only one window. many OF the
broken papes Of which were stuffed with rags II was
a moment before the condition OF the room could be-
seen. The floor felt to the feet like turf 1t was 80
incrusted with filth. Two chairs, one without
hack a nine table blackcned with use, stove near
v copper colored with rust. two OF three plates hai
dozen empty bottles some clay pipes and three or
four nails were all the room contained. Inc waits,
ceilings chairs and dishes were htby TO tue last de-
gree. Al the table man sat drinking some dark
smoking liuuid-tea or cofiee-from black battered
tin pail ana breaking pieces from large LOAF OF
bread. The cropping, uncertain motion OF nls hahus
and peculiar fixed stare were the only evidences
of blindness. The eyes were clear and Drlgnt, out
the man was stone blind. In an inner room OF
closet there was bed the sheets aud covering oil
which were almost black and In such disorder mat
it had been properly made probably when tne
sheets were clean, and that must have been before
the year 1888.
said that five years ago, when return
ing from his work at noon, suddenly ne
became dizzy, everything got black ana
he had to be led home. Everything had been
black since His nephew, the man who had opened
TIE door, came to see him sometimes. ana lie got
pension, which was enough to keep him as he
was lie never had any advice. He was blind and
that was enough. lie didn't want his eyes burned
out OF his head by any doctors In fact didn't be-
he We in doctors No, he would not sec any eye-dOc-
tor or 20 to any hospital He.had noone to take care
of him. but the neighbors came III sometimes and
cooked for him, and when il was fine he went out
and sat OF, the docks If he couldEget some one TO
lead him there. In the winter he was cold often, as
he couldn't afford TO keep fire going and he stayed
i'm bed most of the time. No, he wanted no help
and would see no eye-dOctor. IL was enough 10 De
blind and helpless, and he wanted to be let alone