New-York tribune., 1902-11-20
SHUTS UP THROAT DEPARTMENT.
EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY CROWDED BY
TRAcHoMA CASES AND LACKS FUNDS.

EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY CROWDED BY
TRAcHoMA CASES AND LACKS FUNDS
At a meeting held yesterday by the board of
directors of the New-York Eye and Ear In
frnary, Second-ave and Thirteenth-st, a reso-
luton was unanimously passed calling for the
indefinite closing Of the throat department of
the institution. This department was established
twenty Eight years ago, and is now closed be-
cause of lack of room all of it being taken up
by eye cases. and funds with which to carry on
the work. According TO ]. Harsen Rhoades,
second vice-p president Of the institution, the
prevalence of trachoma among the public school
children and the action of the Health Depart
ment in fighting this disease are responsible
for the overcrowding of the infrmary.
The Health Department is simply deluging
us with these eye cases." he said. There are
seventy-two inspectors OF the department who
are sending public school children and others
here 10 US for treatment in cases of trachoma.
We have had 81 trachoma cases between Sep
tenber 10 and October % of this year, against
seventy-nine for the same period the previous
year"
DR.. Richard H. Derby, executive surgeon of
the infrmary, said that so great had the crush
Of patients been at the institution recently that
it was necessary to have policeman stationed
inside the door to keep them in line.
And now he added, "the city is going to
take the policeman away from u.s."
Our resources are SUCH" said Mr.. Rhoades,
that we could not carry all three branches
Of the infrmary, we decided to drop the one
last established and so retain the older ones"
On Saturday last there were 3Ol new patients
in the eye department, on Monday 2l2 on Tues
day 179 and yesterday 1877. On Tuesday eighty
Of the new patients were pupils from the public
schools, sent there by inspectors of the Health
Department for treatment for trachoma.
when you consider" said Mr.. Rhoades, that
least and often two older persons. You can
gather some adequate idea of the crowded con-
dition of the institution"
DR.. Derby said that there had been on Tues
day eighty new patients in his clinic alone.
Mr. Rhoades explained that the throat depart
that circumstances would enable the directors
to see their way clear to reopen the department
soon Some Of the directors SAID the city ought
to pay for the treatment OF patients sent there
from the public schools and 1t was asserted
that Commissioner Lederle of the Health De-
partment had agreed that at any time the
directors cared to go before Mayor Low he
would cheerfully go with them and advocate a
per capita payment on the part of the city for
pupils sent from the public schools.
II was said, too, that If the city cared to rent
a suitable building, pay the rental, equip the
building and provide $500 a month for running
expenses the infirnary would furnish the neces-
eafE ehdreh aediGr The of the
| mated at $500 for rental of building So 600
a year. %>Pe
speaking of funds needed by the infrnoarv
one n ol the directors said that at least $4,000
. mas neeeeo Tor the use Of the various depart
nehts. superintendent c. ]. McNulty said that
on saturday last there were treated In eli
Dranches OF the infrmary 947 patients