The Washington times., 1894-05-31
SEWER GAS AND LEPROSY
Non-appetizinq Bill Of Fare Discussed
by Physicians and Surgeons.
SECOND GENERAL CONGRESS
Interesting Papers Read at ths Convention
Yesterday BY the Dslsgstss-Abls Arga-
msnts Nads Pro and Con the Segregation
Of Lspsrs in This Country.

The question Of sewer gas and leprosy oc-
cupied the second general session Of the tri-
ennial congress Of American physicians and
surgeons. held at Metzerott's hall yesterday
afternoon. The atten1 lance was much larger
than that Of tho opening meeting, and the
session was devoted to separate discussions
under the direction Of the American climato-
logical associations.
An hour and half was first yielded to the
climutologists, and the opening paper was
read by Dr.. Alex. C. Abbott, of the University
OF Pennsylvania. He set forth in specific de-
tail the results Of a number Of technical ex-
periments in paper on "Chemical. physical
and archaeological studies upon air over de-
composing substances, with special reference
to air Of sewers"
DR.. Abraham Jacob, OF New York city, fol-
lowed. He spoke Of the effect of sewer gas
in the production OF disease. Lengthy refer
ence was made to the assertion that the at
mosphere contains some specific disease
germs, both living and dead. being frequently
found in places which we're infected with spe-
ciiic disease. In sewer air. he contended. less
such germs have been found than in the air Of
houses and school-rooms. as the germs are de-
stroyed by the putre.action in the sewerf.
The worse the odor, he contended. the least
the danger, particularly from diphtteria- Of
specific germs. typhoid and dysentery ap-
peared to be the least subject to distribution
by cesspools and sewers. Few OF these cases,
If any, are attributable to sewer air.
General health Is endangered by having
single outlet from the sewer, owing to the
density of the arising odors. Therefore
thorough and multiple ventilation was deemed
necessary. He concluded that the health OF
the general public is suffering from chemical
exhalations from the sewers. The belief that
the germs should have direct contact with the
mucous membrane in order 70 produce diph-
iberia was advocated in a ten-minute paper
on sewer gas as a cause OF throat disease, read
by DR.. Beverly Robinson, OF the Bellevue
Hospital Medical College, New York city. 4
discussion followed. and the general session,
under the auspices Of the dermatological,
was commenced.
..Leprosy, its contagiousness. prophylayis,
and CONTROL" was the subject OF a paper by
DR.. ]. Nevins Hyde, OF the Rush Medical Col
lege, Chicago. Through the port OF New York
city, said DIR. Hyde, door has been open to
the immigration OF the germ carriers OF the
disease from every country Of the globe. The
prevalence of the disease, even In its main
field in the American hemisphere-the South
is far greater in the southern than in the
northern provinces.
he cOEtenutu tlaI tne uOVeruinent uAu
neglected its obvious duty In failing to deter
mine the distribution oflepers in this country.
Through fear or shame families OF lepers here
and in other countries often wiliuily conceal
the existence Of the disease. He submitted
figures compiled by the association showing
total OF $50 cases heretofore recognized in the
United States ana estimated that there are
ninety-tw lepeTs now alive III the country.
protest to the segregation of the few lepers
in this country was made by DR.. G.. II. Fox.
OF New York, who characterized as unjust the
attempt TO con.ine people against their wills
In Government pens, or lazerettos, on this ac-
count.
Dr. James D. Bryant, Of New York, the
medical adviser OF the Presidents household.
estimated the ieper population OF the United
States at 200. and urged prompt action by au-
thorities in taking active measures for gov
ernment or other control OF leprosy.
DR.. Walter C. Wyman, surgeon general OF
tho United States Marine Hospital Service,
advocated active steps by the government for
the segregation of lepers. and suggested the
adoption OF bill appointing a commission
to investigate the subject, looking toward the
establishment of "A government leper hospi-
tai. DR.. A. Van Harlingen, professor OF skin
diseases in the Philadelphia Polytechnic. also
spoke OF the dignostic features and treatment
of lep,osy.
The guests Of the congress were rendered
q banquet at the Arlington hotel last night by
the delegates.