New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-14
IS THE DISEASE CONTAGIOUS?
EALTH COMMISSIONER BRYANT's VIEWS UPON

THE SUBJECT
Chin Hop Sing, the Chnaman who was FOUND
suffering from the disease in laundry at No. 403
Fifhs was allowed to remain there three days after
the public had been informed Of his condition. HIS
removal to the Charity Hospital was ordered partly
his presence in the city caused too much talk
The Health Commissioners wished to send him To
place where he would not be an object Of morbid
curiosity or the victim of "quack' doctors There
were said to be good why the Health Depart
ment could not take OF him. His removal 10
North Brother Island might have exposed him to con-
agion, and his presence there wOuid have created
prejudice against the place, the officials said They
did not consider his disease I'm degree dangerous
TO the public, and therefore his Immediate removal
from the city was not thought to be imperative
rmor that the Charity Commissioners might object TO
the presence of any lepers In the Charity HOS
pital on the ground that the poison OF leprosy Is H.
tcnsiied by keeping epers together caused Tribune
reporter to see Health Commissioner Joseph d. Bryant
u few days ago and inquire;
is there likely to be any serious difhculty In
securing the isolation of lepes found in this city y
ISOLATION in the sense the term Implies, cannot
be enforced with propriety in city in any form OF
communicable disease being lifelong chTonlc" VI
Bryant replied. However it will not be at All
difficult in the future, in the past to withdraw epes
from public gaze with their cooperation. There Is
no proof at present that isolation is required L. ths
city, since there is no evidence oil he i~ct th~'
case has ever originated here"
is not contact with lcpcr dangerous 7"
No form of contact incident TO human existence
in this city IS known as yet TO have caused leprosy
dc nOvo II NAV not be amiss to add at this urne
that while myself was serving inferno In Bellevue
Uospital some years ago, there was in ward under
nv charge for long tine irs'-class orderly ana
nurse who WAS recognized leper His presence aid
not cause the least apprehension, nor DID any harl
arise theryfrom. lie often shown 10 meolcai anu
other visitors as a typical case of lepFosy'
If leprosy is not easily communicates whSt harin
coud there be in keeping lepcrs together IN place
away from the public gszeF 49,,
"Lcprosy either Is or is not communicable In this
city, AT present no evidence eAiss & 9l @s
tdlity here such being the case. Jler SeHrt gauon
here Is al present matter of sentiment ather tna OF
pecessitv The people ana the press can ueiahu IN
the isolation OF the VICTIMS OF sy pnlls
and tuberculosis, whose footsteps DING lheh III co
tact with the healthy and unsuspecthS In eery Walk
of nfc.' , ,,.rooo. hoan os,,,, q, ooo
vide "A place for lepers :" . -,
The desabillty Of such action on the part OF tho
Government has been pointed out by various writers
on mis- subject especially by Dr. Piftarl and Dr.
w,rrovc ~ thls ciy This department has not to my
Lnowledee ever made such a request. In my opinion
ths Government ought 10 provide suitable place for
the reception and care OF the leperS found within It's
Dr BRYANT had his desk copy OF Tie Medical
Record y and he pointed 10 an editorial ndte by DR..
George F. shrady regarding the discovery Of the case
~ C6Iu Hop sing 10 contained the following:
caused by the discovery. Leprosy i 20 srshty con-
aelous that the public danger from Il can almost be
disregarded. No Is known Of the disease orgl-
mating by contagion In this country