New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-13

PARKER HOSPITAL-NO DOUBT THAT HIS
DISEASE WAS YELLOW JACK
HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THAT
| THERE Is NO DANGER OF
THE DISEASE SPREAD
ING-EvERY PRECAU.
| TION TAKEN AT
THE HOTEL.
The startling announcements that Professor
Richard A. Proctor, the eminent astronomer, was
believed TO be dying from yellow fever in the
Willard Parker Hospital at the foot Of East Six
teenth-st, was made by President Bayles of the
| Health Board. about p. m. yesterday. Profess
sor Proctor died ut 7:15 p m, before the informa-
ton Of his illness spread through the city, and
IL said that his death certainly caused by
| the dreaded fever.
Professor Proctor reached this city on Monday
having travelled by rail from his farm, called Oak
/ Lawn, in Marion County, Fla His family re-
mained at Oak Lawn and he came here alone. 1t
was his intention TO sail for England in the steam
ship Umbria on Saturday. and his passage on the
vessel had been engaged in advance. Upon his
arrival in the city he went to the Westminster
Hotel at Irving place and Sixteenth-st., where
he had been guest on many previous occasions.
He was greeted cordially by William c. Schenck.
the proprietor Of the hotel, and was assigned 10
Room No 90, large apartment the second
hoor. lie not feeling well when he went TO
bed in the evening but he thought his indisposi-
ton was the result of his long railroad journey
he THOUGHT IT WAS MALARIA
On Tuesday morning he was much worse, and
Mr. Schenck advised him 30 consult physician.
Professor Proctor said that he did not think
such a step was necessary. His wife had been
suffering from malarial trouble for several weeks,
he said, and he thought that lie might have the
same trouble Knowing that Professor Proctor
had travelled directly from Florida, Mr. Schenck
became suspicious and he summoned DR.. George
). Conant, of No. l4S East Eightcenth-st, who
formerly an inspector OF contagious diseases
in the Health Department. DR.. Conant examined
Professor Proctor and said he would like to call
in another physician TO assist IN the diagnosis.
Mr. Schenck said he would advise consulting
the Health Board and DR.. Conant sent word to
DR.. Cyrus Edison, Chief Inspector of Contagious
Diseases, who responded promptly to the summons.
The two experts made careful examination, and
also called DR.. A. Jacob. OF No
10 West Thirty-fourth-st., in consultation,
knowing that he had had experience in yellow
fever cases
THE PATIENT ISOLATED.
Professor Proctor had a high fever and his
skin had somewhat yellowish color. He also
tied at intervals, but the physicians could not be
certain that he suffering from yellow fever He
told the physicians that he had not been near
Jacksonville or any other yellow fever centre
and far as he knew. had not been exposed to
the disease. clean bill of health had been
given to him when he left Florida The fact that
he had left Florida at time when the fever
epidemic there, however, increased the suspicious
of the physicians. and they decided that he ought
TO he removed from the hotel The visits of the
physicians had not attracted any attention, and
the other guests at the hotel were kept in com
plete ignorance Of the suspicious regarding the
distinguished patient Care taken 10 isolate
Professor Proctor IN that part OF the building and
disnlectantS were used.
During the day Professor Proctor steadily i'm
proved, and he was able 10 walk. but was advised
10 lie quietly in his room and save his strength
The physi ians knew that if he had yellow fever
he probably was passing into the condition known
as REMISSION when the patient seems to be get
ing well They thought II would be safe TO re-
move him 10 q hospital while he was in favor
able condition Of strength, before an expected re-
lapse occurred
CHEERFULLT CONsENTING TO co TO A HOSPITAL
When informed Of the decision to remove him
TO hospital Professor Proctor cheerfully con-
,ented. lie had been told Of the suspicious which
the physicians entertained, but he did not seem
10 lose his cheerfulness, and he expressed his be-
lief that his trouble would not prove to be yell
low fever Dr. Edison went downtown early in
the afternoon to consult with President Bayles.
If the Health Board. about the removal of the
patient from the hotel 1t decided not to
take so distinguished a man to North Brother
Island in threatening weather. and a room was
made ready in the Willard Parker Hospital
N the foot of East SiXteenth-st The
rain delayed the removal, and il was late in the
evening when the Health Department ambulance
was backed up 10 the Sxteenth-st door of the
hotel
Ar that time the corridors and stairways lead
ing from Room No ss TO the door were deserted.
Drs Edison and Conant were with Professor Proc
tor who was in better condition than they had
noticed since morning He offered TO walk down
10 the ambulance but he persuaded TO lie |
down on n stretcher. and the physicians helped TO
carry him gently TO the vehicle outside: Pains
had been taken TO wrap him up so completely as
TO prevent exposure TO the chilly and damp air,
and stimulant was administered a further |
precauuon.
THE TRIP QUICKLY MADE
It took only a few minutes for the ambulance
10 reach the hospital at the end OF the sreet al
though it was driven slowly Apparently the |
trip had no bad effect on the patient and when
be was undressed and placed in the comfortable
hospital cot ne said that he felt better than ever
He rested well during the night DR. Edison had
sent the following telegram to Mrs. Proctor az
Oak Lawn: Professor Proctor very i'll Come
or send member Of family at once
Yesterday mOrnng DR.. Priest the resident |
physician at the Willard Parker Hospital no
tlced change Tor the worse IN Professor Ifoc- |
tors condition. Dr. Edson the hospital |
soon after the change was noticed, and il soon be-
came certain that the dreaded relapse had come. |
Eminent physicians wore in attendance on the in |
valid all day. and every possible effort was made |
10 save or 10 Or ilong the life of the gifted as
lonomcr Late in the afternoon the physicians |
had decided that be was a victim OF yellow fever.
no DOUBT THAT 1T WAS YELLOW FEVER.
There was no more room for doubt when the |
blocl vomit, the most marked symptom of the
di sease made its appearance. Until he lost the |