New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27
HOSPITAL CENTRE OF LAKE
STORM FLOODS GROUNDS OF BROOK
LYN INSTITUTION.
FIRES PUT OUT-SUFFERERS FROM CON
TAGIOUS DISEASES IN DANGER
FROM EXPOSURE

NUN EAFOSCRE.
As a result of the heavy rainstoru Of Tues
day night the Kingston Avenue Hospital for
Contagious Diseases, Brooklyn. IS in the centre
of a lake containing about i've million gallons
Of water. The engine fires were put out and
the boilers rendered useless by six feet Of water
in the boiler and engine room. The water about
the grounds is three feet deep, and the 1O6 pa
tents in the hospital are in danger from
posture. Late yesterday afternoon a spare fire
engine was sent by Fire Chief Dale. and began
pumping the water TO the nearest sewer culvert
1900 feet away. After surveying the situa-
ton, Chief Dale decided that one engine was not
enough TO cope with the task. and he telephoned
to Manhattan for permission 10 send two add
tionaI engines. These reached the hospital
about 8 o'clock and Chief Dale declares that
within twenty-four hours all the water will be
pumped out and the danger removed.
It Is thought however. that the boilers have
been ruined by the water and that it will be
properly. In the mean while gas ranges are
being used, and the patients are as comfortable
as can be expected under the circumstances.
The grounds Of the hospital are about eight
acres in extent, and are bounded by Rutland
Road, AIbany-ave,, Hawthorne-st. and King
ston-ave on them there are thirteen build
ings-an administration building, built of brick;
a brick pavilion and eleven wooden pavilions-
The roster of the hospital yesterday showed that
there were sixteen diphtheria patients, nineteen
scarlet fever patients, fourteen measles patients
and hfty-seven patients with smallpox. The
smallpox patients are all in the large brick
pavilion, which has not been touched by the
water. All the buildings are connected by IN
foreground pipes. with the heating apparatus in
annex to the executive building Heat being
a necessary part Of the treatment Of smallpox.
the patients in the brick pavilion are in grave
danger from exposure. The wooden pavilions
are constructed piing six feet from the
ground. and have, therefore, not been reached
by the water For some time Tuesday night
and yesterday morning the supply of provisions
cut off, but this was remedied before noon.
There was also a scarcity of blankets. which
were later supplied a requisition sent to the
Manhattan Office Of the Health Department by
DR.. Joseph H. Raymond the local health Off
GER
The submergng Of the grounds began with
the thaw and rainstorm on Tuesday night The
grounds are considerably below the adjoining
property. and when the storm came the surface
drainage from all over the neighborhood began
surging into the grounds There was little ap-
prehension on the part Of the hospital officials.
they believing that the force pipe. placed there
for just such emergencies. would carry of the
gines in the administration building. but the
officials never bargained for such a flow Of
water as would extinguish the engine fires.
When daylight broke yesterday morning P. J.
Murray, superintendent of the hospital, saw
that the grounds were submerged in three feet
Of water. He Immediately sent for DR.. Ray
mond, who. after a hasty examination. returned
70 his office and communicated with the Man
haitian authorities. He requested that gas
stoves and blankets be forwarded at once. and
late in the afternoon twenty eight gas stoves
were purchased from a department store in
Futon-st., together with an adequate supply OF
blankets. Dr.. Raymond next called up the Fire
Department. and engine was sent 70 the
scene about o'clock in the afternoon. Later
two others were sent along. and all last night
they pumped merrlly away
\ requisition made 70 the Park Depart
ment for boats from Prospect Park but the con-
tractors Harris x Mcclure. informed Supertn-
reudeut Murray that the boats were out of COM
mission and useless. 4 truck then sent at
the suggestion Of Dr.. Raymond, TO Coney Isl
and 20 get two boats belonging 70 the Health
Department that were kept there These ar
rived late IN the afternoon, and were kept busy
plying between the administration building and
the pavulons with provisions and medicines
The doctors OF the hospital staff also used the
boats 10 make the rounds Of the pavilions and
Dr. Raymond has ordered that all smallpox
patients be sent 70 North Brother Island until
further notice. Patients suffering from other
contagious diseases will be cared FOR in the
Reception and Willard Parker hospitals. DR..
Raymond said last night.
believe that the danger 20 patients Is nearly
Gus TO say the least Fortunately for the patients
the pdviors with exception. built piles
six feet above the ground. that the water comes
only 70 within three feet Of them Happily there
ample supply of food on hand and all the
medicine that necessary The task OF pump
ing ont the water with the fire engines is difficult
the grounds re below the sewer level The
patients cannot he neglected for an hour. and
that is why got the boats FOR the OF the
doctors and nurses ! hope that all the water Will
be out of the grounds within twenty-four hours.