New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-22
THE INSANE PATIENTS SAFE.
DR. MACDoNALD's REPORT ON SMALLPOX.
THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE MILD CASES AND EVERY
PREcAUTIoN HAS BEEN TAKEN

PRECAUTION HAS BEEN TAKEN.
In Wow Of the unavorablc reports which have been
made OF the condition of Wards Island and the
prevalence Of smallpox in tho Insane Asylum there
President Brennan. OF the Department Of Charities
and Correction, directed Dr. Macdonald to mako a
special report TO the Board on the subject. The re-
port says that tho published statements have boon
greatly exaggerated There has been no smallpox
except in the mild forms OF varioloid, TO which per
sons who have been vaccinated arc liable. Dr. Mac
donald said in part:
Having bcen directed by your Board. in view Of ex.
listing msappehenslon and mIssatement regarding the
recent occurrence OF Of smallpox in the Wards
Island Asylum, to forward brief statement OF the facts
have the honor report as follows;
On June 81 John Brogan, patient In ward No. 81,
presented symptoms indicating tho presence OF smallpox
and the suspicion having been confirmed after observa-
ton he was the 29h transferred TO tho care OF the
Board OF Health, at their hospital on North Brother
Island. Upon July Patrick Devine, attendant upon
the same ward. developed similar symptoms and was
after similar observation and confirmation transferred 70
the hospital on July 10 Upon the mornings OF the
18th and 14th respectively John Moran and Bartholomew
Queenin presented symptoms and were transferred
tho afternoons OF those days On the evening OF the
14th Adolph Thurstons patient. again OF ward NO II,
placed under observation and the afternoon OF the
17th tho presence OF smallpox having been determined
followed the others the hospital upon North Brother
Island. one attendant and patients five persons In
ALL complete number OF Of smallpox which have
occurred in the Wards Island Asylum, among the officers
employees and inmates generally. They all residents
OF the ward-ward No 21-had the disease In the
modified form following vaccination or other protective
measures and, learn from the officers In charge OF
the hospital Of which they inmates are progressing
favoraby no doubt entertained OF their recovery The
patient sent Mr.. BrOgan, has been for some Gays
sufficiently well to be returned to the asylum Eat mas
kindly Difference expressed wish
that risk supposed risk Of his carrying contasioh
back with him shall be Incurred
In addition to these five cases. one other. William
Bolngcr. showed. Tuesday afternoon July II, some
symptoms disease. and removed from the ward
building, where he has since been quarantncd
and has shown no Increase OF these symptoms but has
on tho contrary decidedly improved. There has been
no development any kind suggesting In the slightest
degree the occurrence other since Tuesday after
noon last the interval between the first discovery
Of any symptoms and the removal oil
the five patients tho latter were care
fully Isolated from and after their removal
clothing bedding not sent with them were
burned or dlsnfeced in accordance with their proximity 10
persons possible Infection The wari ITSELF with
patients and attendants has been as thoroughly quar-
antincd ovoTcrowdet condition OF the building VIII
permit and dsinecton been practisei and Isolation
carried out the precautions were called for by an
epidemic instead Of by mild cases. such are SPIT
occur every months in large public institution
and have occurred several within the present year
As your Board is aware recommended on March Z, as
matter Of proper prccauon suggested by the reports Of
the OF smallpox in some quarters OF tho city
general vaccination OF the inmates OF the several
asyums not already protected should be undertaken AS
a consequence vaccination has since been In progress
The occurrence Of these has only affected the
routine Ear roccsitatcd by the precautionary
measures. The employees and patients have shown no
alarm or excitement AMI members Of their families have
and gone as usual
Commissioner Porter said yesterday in regard to
the sickness Of DR. Troutman, who has charge of the
Wards Island asyums under Or. Macdonald, that he
was threatened with typhoid fever