New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-11
loss will probably reach 100000. This is the concern
that started up few weeks ago after being Idle
eighteen years.
BRoohLYN SUED BY a SURGEON
DR. DUNCAN WANTS 500 900 AS DAMAGES FOR ILL
TREATMENT BY TIE HEALTH AUTHoRI-
TIES WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE YELLOW FEVER.

The city of Brooklyn has unuqe suit It's hands.
brought by Dr. Robert H. Duncan, who claims 100000
damages because Of the treatment he received at the
hands Of the health authorities last summg The
papers in the served last saturday by his
counsel. NJ. L. Towns. Dr. Duncan, who was sur
geon OF the steamship Colon, reached New-fork on
June IA and went at to the house of his father
in-law. at No. 173 HancOekst Brooklyn. The doc
suffering from attack Of malarla fever ac-
cording his belief and that Of DR. j. B. Bogart,
who attended him. The report spread about that
he was suffering from yellow fever and the neghbor-
hood became panic stricken. Doctor Duncan was re-
moved by the Health Department 10 the peSthouse at
Swinburne Island.
1t is in consequence of his alleged ill-treatment
while being removed and while at the island that ne
his claim for damages. The doctor says thai he
taken In wagon without springs to souih
Eleventh-st.. where he placed on steam launch
and conveyed on deck and in the open air to the
island where he was kept for one week, he alleges
In what practically solitary confinement without
proper food or treatment. At the end Of that time
he was released, 1t being discovered that he was SUI
fering from intermittent fever. Before that time,
however, he thinks he would have been killed If ne
had been afflicted with yellow fever instead Of less
dangerous disease.
1t is not contended in DIR. Duncans complaint that
the health officers exceeded their legal authority but
he sets up the claim that they were incompetent 10
exercs "a II in these words THAT prior to the grcv-
OF Wnlcn tnls CoIlpidlls "' NV
the occurrences hereinafter mentioned happened, the
defendant by its duly constituted authorities, had
negligently and carelessly nrusted the management
control and direction of its business and affairs III
said Health Department to persons unht incompetent
and unable to discharge the duties pertaining to said
department"
The complaint then attacks the manner In when
amendments 10 the Board OF Health are made by
bold and sweeping denuncation as follows; " Iha'
in splte of said knowledge and the opportunities at he
disposal Of the defendant TO acquire such kno"ledge
the defendant. reckessly, caielessy and negngehuy
selected said servants not at the instance ana upon
the recommendation OF any medical board or commit
tee having knowledge and experience of the quaih-
tations that should be possessed by servants ana at
tarhes I'm the Board of Health, but at the Dehesl oi
individuals with political influence and power whose
ignorance of medicine and the laws OF sanitation was
well known the defendant . -. u
The city has twenty days 10 put In lts answer
through the Corporation Counsel to Dr. Duhcahs
compiaint, although none has been framed as YET
DR. Bogart the attending physician was arrested Oh
complaint Of the health authorities Tor conceaIhs ia
case OF yellow fever, but was discharged py IuSuco
Peterson.