New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-06
DEATH WAS LURKING NEAR.
FATAL EXPOSURE OF. A CHILD. AT THE RE.
CEPTION HOSPITAL.
SHE WAS KEPT IN ROOM WHERE A NURSE
IN ATTENDANCE ON SCARLET
FEVER PATIENTS SLEPT.

FEVER PATIENTS SLEPT.
Constantine Ludwig the superintendent of the
German Hospital. appeared before the Health Board
yesterday 70 complain Of the official laundering which,
he thinks. caused the death Of his daughter Ance
seven years old. lie was accompanied by his WIFE,
who was dressed in black and whose face spoke palmer
than words Of the suffering which the oeatn oi ne'
child had caused Mr.. Ludwig said that INC Ht.ie
girl was taken sick saturday. May y, anu inc
physicians at the German Hospital said she mao
diphtberia Information of the case was sent 10 ,he
Health Board and Sanitary Inspector Dlauvelt directed
that the child be taken to the Willard Parker Hospital
In East sixteenth-st. Permission was granted Nr
Ludwig TO go there with his child. The ambulance
arrived at the Willard Parker Hospital late IN the
afternoon and Dr. Lester, the physician VINO shoula
have been in charge there, was away. An attendant
refused TO admit the child on DR.. Blauvelts order
on the ground that Alice had measles. Mr.. Ludwig
then wished 10 take his daughter back 10 the German
Hospital where he said he could place her IN
separate room and isolate her from other patients )
but against his earnest protest the child was taken
10 the Reception Hospital which was crowded with
patents suffering from measles and scarlet fever.
Mr.. Ludwig appealed TO Dr.. Blauvelt who was
unable 10 help him. Alice kept all night in q
room in which were a number OF male patients
who had measles. on the following morning MIS-.
Ludwig obtained permission 70 go 10 the Reception
Hospital and wait her daughter there AIice ih'd
been placed in "heper's ROOM" apart from the
washed and evidently in need of attention. The
room was not clean, and the child complained OF
bad odor from pals which contained dirty water
Mother and daughter were obliged 10 eat from one
plate and drink from the same cup. As the Health
Department boat which conveyed patients from the
Reception Hospital North Brother Island was not In
repair, the sick child and her mother were Obliged
to stay in the Reception Hospital all day sunday and
Sunday night. Mr. Ludwig visited them there and
was shocked at their surroundings. He was power
less to help his wife and daughter bat he sent some
clothing to them. Mrs. Ludwig said yesterday that
she pleaded with Dr. Lester on Sunday 10 be per-
mitted to take her child away, but he refused to
let them go.
woman who wa. a nurse in attendance on scarlet
fever patients in the hospital slept In the room with
Mrs. Ludwig and Alice The nurse went In and out
OF the room several times ON sunday. She also
washed herself and changed her clothes In the room.
Mrs. Ludwig had TO go into the "offce" OF the
hospital TO eat meal, and when she was there
she saw woman enter the Office and wash her
hands, The woman was waiting on her daughter,
who was sick with scarlet fever. In the room where
Mrs. Ludwig and her daughter stayed were only one
wash-basin and one towel, and both were used by
the nurse who oohed after the scaretfever patients.
No steps to dislnfect the the nurses clothing
were taken while Mrs. Ludwig was there.
On Monday morning. May IL, Mrs. Ludwig and
her daughter went on the boat and were taken TO
was discharged as cured four days later and was
taken home by her mother Mr.. Lndwig and his
wife then thought that their unpleasant experience
with the Health Department at an end, but on the
eighth day after Alice had been taken to the Re-
ception Hospital she attacked with scarlet fever,
and she died from that disease on May 3D. Mr..
Ludwig said to the Health Board that his child I'M
doubtedly had contracted the fatal disease in the
Reception Hospital, to which she was taken without
his consent and against his earnest protest lie
felt also that the childs life had been sacriceS by
the carelessness of attendants the want of proper
accommodations at the hospital.
The Health Commissioners looked uncomfortable
and turned TO Lester. Who had listened 10 the story
Of the bereaved parents The latter tried to break the
force OF the arragnment by saying that he had advised
Mrs Ludwig not to remain with her child at the Recep
ton Hospital because her presence there compelled
him to place the little girl in the helpers room, where
there was risk of contagi0n from scarlet fever Ills
admission that he had permitted such risk surprised
the Commissioners. Mrs. Ludwig said she had not
been told that her presence would be danger, and
Mr. Ludwig said that Dr. Lester had no business TO let
her wishes or her judgment endanger the chd's life
DR. Lester said he wished to call some Of the en-
ployes at the Reception Hospital TO disprove the state
nonts that the helpers room was rot clean, ana te
hearing adjourned until Monday, at p. m