New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-21

Moreover. eighteen or the forty-fOur cas- ourin6
the first six months OF the year arrived at Quar-
antine incoming steamers
DECREASE IN TUBERCULOSIS.
Out Of 7o72o deaths in greater Nevv-York IN 1901,
slS5 were due to consumption No strong meas
were being taken TO stamp out the disease
In 1900 the deaths had numbered S.l54. Under Dr.
Lederle in 1902 the deaths were reduced 20 1863 a
death rate Of only 2O3. against go in 1901 and 2S7
in 1900 The renovation OF houses occupied by con-
sumptives the registration Of all cases. the Is
Of instructions 20 tuberculosis patients. the
prevention OF splitting in public places, rigid san
itary inspection and cleaner streets all contrib
uted to the result.
The department has centred its attention on the
protection Of the health Of school children. Under
the old system the inspection was irregular and
unmethodicaL DR.. Lede-le instituted an entirely
new system. A staff Of physicians not so large a
stan as under Tammany. but receiving higher pay
ana required 10 work longer hours. was assigned
TO make regular examinations once week OF all
school children.
This system has been fruitful OF results In a
single week OF 1892 more school children were ex-
arnined than during the entire year Of 1901. The
total number Of cases Of contagious diseases in the
schools in December. 1890. and January. 1905. was
hardly more than half great as in December.
1901. and January. 1902 A hospital and dispensary
have been established. IN which more Than fifty
thousand cases Of trachoma have already been
treated. and the new hospital has already become
so crowded that another trachoma dispeasary has
been established on the upper East Side. and viii
be opened almost at once.
NEW HOSPITALS GIVE CONFIDENCE.
Another thing which has done wonders for the
health Of the city has beer the making over OF
North Brother Island and the great improvement
in the treatment Of contagious diseases. An ap-
preparation Of $4,000 was secured 10 improve the
conditions the island. The buildings there have
been entirely made over. hospital for scarlet
fever patients being erected SNteentl-St. and
the East River, and the administration has been
much improved that the fear OF being sent to
the island. which was 50 strong among the poorer
disease was concealed, has almost entirely disap-
peared. and there is practically no concealing
Of ntagiOus diseases.
Another great work has been IN tire publication
OF tie milk supply which has a great and direct
effect the death rate among children In ore
day. March g 1892. seventeen dealers IN milk and
fruit were hailed before the Court OF Special Scs-
sOns, charged with violating The Sanitary Code.
and were fined IN sums ranging from SIS to $50. On
September p thirty milk dealers fined. The
beneficial effects soon became apparent. In 1902
adulterated milk; in 1871 there were only 4s4. in
1900 460 and IN 1893 1913. Many Of the prosecutions
during the Tammary administration were not
pressed.
have been the distribution OF free dphthera anti
toxin the poor reducing lhe proportion OF fatal
diphtheria the enforcement Of sanitary rules
in the keeping and selling Of foods. the caring for
tho citv's vital records and the suppression Of
epidemic Of CHAMBERS.
The one fact which must in the end be the final
| basis % judgment upon the success Of any health
department says the Citizens Cntn report. is its
effect upon The mortality OF the city. ard Z is in
this very respect that fusion Is such cOnsuicuous
/ success. The death rate or the year 1872 was
! The following the death rate figures per thou
/ sand OF population since consolidation