New-York tribune., 1901-07-16
HOSPITAL INQUIRY ASKED. |
CRIPPLED BOY WHO DIES IN FLATBUSH
HAS SCARLET FEVER, MEASLES
AND DIPHTHERIA.

AND DlPHTHERlA.
Paterson N j. July Is (SpeciaD.-The Brook
lyn Board of Health has been asked to investi-
gate the circumstances surrounding the death
of Theodore S. Perry, the fve-year-old son of
William b. Perry, of Albion Place suburb of
this city. The child died in the Kingston Ave
nue. Hospital. Brooklyn. and buried in this
city last week. For several years the boy had
suffered from spinal trouble that crippled one
of his legs Dr. Kip. the family physician, ad-
vised an operation. and the lad was taken to the
orthopedic Hospital. at Fiftyninth-st. and Lex
ington-ave.. New-York. The surgeons pro-
nounced the operation successful and the rela-
tives reJoiced.
+. j. Clerihew, of this city, whose business is
In New-York, grandfather of the child, called
frequently at the hospital to inquire as TO the
progress of Theodore. and he was to be informed
by telephone he says, if any serious change
should occur. The family were surprised, they
say. to learn by accident that the boy had con-
tracted scarlet fever and had been removed to
the contagious hospital. There, placed in
a ward with forty-three other unfortunates.
1t is alleged that neglect caused him to
contract measles and diphtheria while quar-
antined. Mrs Perry hastened to her boy and,
although denied admittance, she forced an en-
trance, she says. and saw that there were only
two nurses detailed for the ward, in which were
forty-three patients. The work was too much
for them, and even ordinary sanitary regula-
tions were not regarded, Mrs. Perry declares.
When the news of the boys death was received
Mr.. Clerihew called upon DR.. Black, Of the
Brooklyn Health Board, and laid the facts be-
fore him for investigation. Mr.. Clerihew says:
'The death certificate in Theodore's case bears
the evidence 1t shows the cause of death
scarlet fever, measles and diphtheria, and all
contracted in hospitals while under treatment.
to the very dangers that caused his removal to
the hospital"
THE HOSPITAL DEFENDED.
DR.. P. ]. Murray, the superintendent of the
F1atpush Hospital said last night that the child
had been admitted to the hospital from the
Orthopedic Hospital June 8. suffering from
nephritis. a complication of scarlet fever, and
had been sent to the Kingston hospital.
the contagious disease branch of the Flatbush
Hospital There the child had died on July
from heart disease, Superinduced by nephritis
The child, he said, was in a moribund condition
at the time it came to the hospitai, ana nad no
chance of recovery. Besides nephrltls, IL had
Bright's disease and chronic brain trouble The
reason 1t had been sent to Brooklyn from Man
haitian because there had been so many
cases of smallpox in Manhattan that the hos
pitfalls were overcrowded. and 1t was necessary
to send many scarlet fever cases to Brooklyn.
CANNOT EXPLAIN DIPHTHERIA.
After reaching the hospital measles had de-
veloped. as was frequently the case, Or. Muir
ray said. with scarlet fever patients when they
were convaescng, but the diphtheria that ap-
peared must have been contracted. he thought,
before the child taken 70 Brooklyn. The
child was in a ward with forty-three other pa
tents, be sure. but there were no diphtheria
patients among them. The greatest care was
always taken to keep the hospital scrupulously
clean. employed to look after
the ward in which the child and give her
whole time 70 keeping 1t clean. The bedding
and mattresses had recently been renewed
The childs mother had made complaints to
him about the condition Of the hospital. on
the contrary she had expressed satisfaction
with the treatment the child received. Both
the mother and the grandfather had visited
the hospital several times 10 the child and
they had always been admitted without ques-
ti0n.
DR.. Robert a. Black. Assistant Sanitary Super
intendent OF Brooklyn. said ne had heard moth
Ing from Paterson about the case. nor had DR.
Murray made report 10 him about II. He knew
nothing Of the officially although ne had
heard of II indirectly. There were always plenty
Of nurses in the kingstun-ave. branch. and II
more were needed at any time they sent
for. There were never any complaints about the
sanitary condition OF the hospital His work
would compare with that Of any hospital in the
country, and they We're always willing 10 stand
an invest cation.