New-York tribune., 1884-03-25
NeU- York, March %.
MEDICAL SERVICE ON STEAMERS.
A LETTER FROM DR.. IRWIN IN REPLY TO THE
STEAMSHIP AGENTS.

A LETTER FROM DR.. IRWIN IN REPLY TO THE
STEAMSHIP AGENTS.
s. the Rdttsr OF The Tribune.
SIR: The TRIBUNE of Tuesday last reports
an interview with upon the present defective con-
don Of the medical service upon TRANSATLANTIC steamers
and Thursdays issue contains series OF replies from the
agents of tho steamship companies. Since December,
1881 when began the agitation which trust may soon
in decisive legislation, thirty articles upon this
subject have appeared from my yet never even In
the smallest detail have been convicted OF msstae-
ment Now confronted by the united and positive
contradiction of the steamship agents In this city who
presumably should know something Of the matter.
Referring to my statement that Of 1i1 surgeons who
had medical charge of ships carrying passengers to this
country during the first SIX months Of 1882. sixty would
have been ineligible. through lack Of tho minimum pro-
fessonal qualification to hold any medical appointment
in the English Army Navy, prison, asylum or poor law
services" Mr. Corts OF the White Star Line is reported
TO have said That Is absolutely false aud il want
to use my name you do so. don't often say that
NY statement founded upon Parliamentary return
OF the Board OF Trade, issued in consequence
Of an order OF the House OF Commons and
giving in full the name, age and qualification Of every
surgeon ia charge OF transatlantic steamers during the
period named resumG Of this return was published by
in all the principal London, Manchester and Liverpool
papers and reiterated by Sir Lyon Playfar NJ. p
chairman OF committees in the House OF CommOns) on
the occasion Of the deputatOn 10 the President OF tho
Board OF Trade on july 20, 1855 III cOnuecCoh WIFI
this agitation let me add that have not particle Of
nnimus personal interest OF any kind TO the White
Line my feeling Is entirely friendly, not only on ac-
cunt OF cordial acquaintance with some OF the man
and the consideration shown me when travelling
upon the lue but more because am convinced that
respects complained OF the White Star Line stands
above most OF It's cOmpcers. AT the same time must
warn Mr.. COrs that neither bis nor any other uno can
come into court with clean hands in this matter.
on the question OF sickness and mortality occurring at
sea / fatty cOntradcted by the various agents.
Now what the fictsl Statistics published by Dr. j.
T. Turner, Medical Director OF the Uultei states Nayy
and member OF the National Board Of Health, prove
that during the ten years ending 1880 the mortality
among passengers from Europe 10 this port was a the
Of A. LOCO per auum or over double the or
| dinary death-rate OF either England or America.
The agents that all Is as 1t should be because
the surgeons do not com plain OF their position Why do
| they not complains The servant who tells his master
that he does not like his place VIII probably be tod to
another in accordance with his pleasure such
exactly the position OF the shpsurgeOn, and such 1t
will aways be 40 long he s employed In an interest en-
rey distinct FROM and occasionally opposed TO- that VI
the passengers l am, sir your Obedient servant
J. A. IRWIN
No. 9C3 Fi0h-qre.. Nsur- York, March %, 1884.