New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-19
DANGER FROM CONTIGUOUS DISEASES.
DISCUSSION AT THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE-A
PRIVATE HOSPITAL RECOMMENDED.

DISCUSSION AT THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE-A
PRIVATE HoEPITAL RECOMMENDED
Dr. II. NJ. Biggs. Of the Health Department. read
an Interesting paper before the NewYork Academy
Of Medicine on "The Organization and Equipment OF
the Division OF Disinfection, Newiork Health Do
pariient. and the Method OF Work. Dr. BIggss
manor contained detailed statement Of the force and
equipment of the division q disnfectiop, showing
that extraordinary precautions were being taken 10
siomp ont contagious diseases. There was large
attendance OF the fellows OF the academy VINO ais
,aved great interest In all that Dr. Bggs said The
paper contained q complete description OF all the
work Of the department
The latest addition to the equipment OF me 10
por,ment 4 a new disinfecting wagon from Germany.
In concluding his paper DR.. BiSgs said that the de-
,crption was not presented to the academy as that
of an ideal system. 1t was, he said, WITHIN the
power Of physicians to give great aid to the depart
ment by cooperating with 1t. DR.. Z. q. Janeway'
who was to open the discussion, wrote TO Dr. Koosa'
the president Of the Academy saying that ne was
unable to be present DIR. Abraham jacob was 'ne
first speaker. lie referred to the dangers OF
crowded tcnementhouses in cases OF contiguous dis-
eases which had been referred to by DR.. Bgss'
There another danger that had been 100 long
overlooked, DR.. jacob said:
"Thcre Is class OF houses he said lover WHICH
the Board Of Health has no control Whatever !
refer 10 the best and most commodious ho'eis' ~
Is very seldom that case OF diphheria or scarlet
fever Is removed from them. How the i?onls are
treated after ward do not know. III humpcr OF
cases that have come within my own observation l
know that nothing was done. have seen d.phtheria
In the same suite of rooms year after year. oi,-
ferent family being attacked each time. The Health
department seldom learns of these cases.
DIR. Jacob also called attention to "a class OF
tenement houses called fats which are full OF
carpets and disease. These socalle1 bat-houses,
said he, require Il little looking into, too
Dr. Bryant followed Dr. jacob. lie con'rasted
tho equipment for dlnfectlon In 1856 and 1887 with
,ho excellent equipment described by DR.. Biggs.
SIT is proper. think for me to say.' d. Bryant
continued that the establishment OF this depart.
ment has been dream Of mine for the last six years.
In the fall OF 1857 Mayor Hewitt gave $1,000 10 the
Health Department for disinfecting apparatus The
outcome OF that is the apparatus Dr. Biggs has de-
,cribed.-
arisen lin the treatment IF contagious diseases.
suppose added DIR. Bryant, that during the
recent celebration OF our distinguished guests
had been stricken down with diphtheria or scarlet
fever. There would have been no place for them out
North Brother Island.- They would. he said. get
good treatment there. but there ought TO be some
place where in the city could pay Tor treat
ment-in other words, IL private hospital ior eoo'
tagous diseases. The establishment OF such a nos
pital would be- he said. the next great ADVANCE IN Tue
treatment OF contagious diseases In this city.
Drs Brannan. Prudden. Sternberg and Roblnson
iolned I'm tbe discussion Dr. Robinson said that he
had been struck 10y DR.. Bryant's remarks about the
de,rabiity OF the establishment OF private hospi,aI
for conta giois diseases lie added that during tne
recent Columbian celebration he attended an omceI
of the British Army from Halifax. The oincer was
STAYING In OF the large hotels. When DIR. Konin.
son exa mined him he found that he was suHerns
from diphtherta All the hospitals Of the city were
closed against him. THE only thing coud 40.
said the Doctor. was TO send him TO the "inar"
p,rl al q
Dr. Jacol resumed the discussion saving that mere
cuch, IN be dozen Willard Parker Hospitals In dnor'
emf narts of the city. lie urged physicians 70 induce
Heir millionaire friends TO establish private dphthes
hosn,fni II would be n great advance AID would be
n having institution. The discussion was closed py
DR.. Biggs. 49, ..ss NJ
In closing the meeting DR.. Roosa commenced DIS
Rryant AID Bggs for their good work.