The Washington times., 1902-03-29
Amid Bare Surroundings
He Awaits Horrible
Death.
BOTH HIS LEGS AMPUTATED
Wife and Three Small Daughters of Suf-
ferer Dependent Upon Neighbors for
the Necessaries of Life-Sent Home
From Hospital to Die

Louis Rosenfeld. a Polish Jew. thirty
five years of age. is lying at the point of
death at his home, 33 Fenton Place north
west, both legs having been amputated
above the knees. because of gangrene.
His wife and three little girls. Rosa.
Edith and Lizzie, seven, five, and three
years Of age, respectively. occupy the
house with him. and are without the
means to sustain life. except as food is
brought to them by the few neighbors
aware of their pitiable condition.
Amid Bare and Squalid Surroundings.
All the comforts and nearly all of the
necessities of the little home have been
out appealing to charity. The sick man
lies on a hard couch amid bare and
squalid surroundings, that make his re-
coyery almost impossible.
Mr. Rosenfieid came TO this country fif-
teen years ago, from Poland. He was a
peddIer for a time. and then opened a
small grocery store near the Government
Printing Office Nine years ago he froze
the tees of his right foot. Gangrene set
in. and was communicated to the entire
leg, which was ampItated above the knee
to save his life. In this condition he sue
ceeded in making 4 living until about
five months ago, when he was taken sick
again.
He was removed to the Homeopa thic
Hospital for treatment. While there gan
creme set in, this time in his left leg. At
the request of his wife. VINO had sold the
small grocery business to provide for her
self and the children Mr.. Rosenfeld was
removed to the Garfield Hospital. where
his left leg was amputsted, between the
knee and the hip joint.
Sent Home to Die.
Gangrene then set in at the stump. The
entire left half of the body became affect
ed and was apparently dead. The ply
sicians at the Garfield Hospital despaired
of his recovery. and at the request of
himself and his wife he was, on March
81. sent home to die.
DR.. George S Chains. of S02 o Street
northwest. was notified by a neighbor OF
Mr. Rosenield's condition and the cir
cumstances OF his wife and children, and
Immediately took charge of the case.
Since that time he has treated the sick
man constantly without pay, furnishing
all the necessary dressing materials and
medicines. as the wife did not have money
enough to buy even a loaf of bread, or !
scuttle Of coal
Dr. Chains said last night that the pa
tient showed slight improvement. The
fever. due to absorption of the gan
greneous matter. has subsided. 1t is the
physicians intention. should the sick man
gain sufficient strength. 10 amputate about
three inches more OF the thigh bone.
Has a Chance to Recover.
with better surroundings and GOOD
hvgienic care the man has a chance of
recovery" said Dr. Chains. His wife,
who never leaves his bedside, may pull
him through. although now she is worn
out through lack of rest and food
Il do not want my husband to go to
any hospital" said Mrs. Rosenfield last
night They did not take good care OF
him at the hospitals. They let him lie in
one position until he got bed sores, which
have become infected with gangrene. 1
will stay with him now until he dies.
THE neighbors have been very good to
u.s. When they found out the way things
were they brought us in things 20 eat
you see the children are so small they do
not understand. | 90 not know how we
will get along, but | know that l viii
STAY with him until he dies, for he has
always been a good husband TO me. He
is a member of only one society. the
Georgetown Tent of the Maccaboes-