New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-01
CONFERENCE ON TRACHOMA
DIR. LEDERLE SAYS THAT OVER SIXTY
FIVE HUNDRED AFFECTED chill
pREN HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED
FROM THE SCHOOLS.

A conference on the prevalence Of trachoma was
held late Yesterday a. the office Of DR. Ernst J.
Lederle. Health Commissioner. He had called the
conference auc al the outset gave some figures
showing the Importance Of the subject Since the
beginning Of the school year and up q October q
The total number OF children excluded from the
public schools oy Dr. Ledere's inspectors has been
about u 90. and Of that number 5.557
Guided because Of trouble with their eyes Last
year for entire school year the total number of
exclusions was only about $500. and this included
all causes for exclusion by Health Department in
spectors.
Or. Lederle also read letter from Or. Richard
H. Derby. the executive surgeon of the New-York
Eye and Ear Infirmary, in which the surgeon said
that the inrmary had recently treated SAB cases of
trachoma in children. although in the period
last year the number of such treated but
seventy DR. Derby expressed the opinion that such
cases need prompt surgical treatment with the ad-
ministration Of ether and that the patient should
spend at least day in the hospital after receiv
ing such treatment. DR.. Derby said that another
building was needed for the treatment of cases of
trachoma-
Or Thomas r. Pooley. of the New-Amsterdam
Eye and Ear Hospital. said that institution had
treated u6 cases from September Is TO October 3,
and there were operations in Sc cases They had
operated on cases yesterday. the entire time oc-
cupied being A minutes. He also said that it was
not necessary for the children to remain in the
slll5., ouL ne slla mere sh09lo ps uealInei.l
Ted 10 school until he had a card signed and certi
said.
i think it is an erroneous view for the public
entertain that this disease is not infectious. Ger
talnly We know that II be communicated from
one child 10 another so often happens in insu-
buttons The way to 90 IS to stamp IL out alto
gether. and the city should supply sufficient money
carry the work"
= do nor Sc thar The situation is very grave
one. said DR.. A JaeOni. The public IS now
aroused. and from now every month viii bring
more OF the children the hospitals ]
looked on The situation as being so grave as has
been represented in some quarters.
Or. y. III. BOYutOn, of the New-HOTk Ophthamic
Hospital. thought that probably not more than ~
per cent Of diseased eyes had trachoma. lie said
further;
-Au agree that trachoma itself never be
cured SO that eNacerbaIion is not liable TO return
They should bo permanently excluded from the
schools, but what is To become Of them? There
should be special hospital for infectious cases.
and perhaps special provision for the EDUCATION Of
such unfCrtunates.''
DR. Lcderle asked how far the institutions repre-
scented were prepared 10 assist IN the work Dr.
William NJ Porter. Of the POSTGRADUATE Medical
School and Hospital. said they did not have
for many Dr. A. r. Smith said the Presby-
1erian Hospital would cooperate in the work
Dr. Herbert ". MOOttch an inspector in the de-
partmenj. said that infection was likely when pu-
pills handled each others pencils, etc. Mr.. Bur-
bingham admitted thar in the older schools, down
town. where there We're not separate desks, such
Thing quite likely.