New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03

cases of pneumonia. seeing some of the patients
twice day. At the time of his death his wife,
DR. Brewer. DR. Delafeld and his brother DR..
D. o. Edison We're with him.
DR.. Edson was much grieved by the suicide Of
his brother Henry, who killed Mrs Pullen. He
said to friends that he had no doubt that his
brother was insane at the time of the tragedy.
Dr. Edsons first wife. who was Miss Virginia
Churchill Page. died in 1889. leaving three chill
dren His second wife was widow Mrs. Mary
z Quick Dr. Edison served three terms as
president of the Board of Pharmacy in New
York County. He was a surgeon and lieutenant
colonel in the National Guard for several years.
He was member of the County Medical So
ciAtv. Of the New-York Yacht Club and the
Larchmont Yacht Club and belonged to several
social organizations.
DR. Cyrus Edison born in Albany on Sep
tember S. 1857 when his father. eX-Mayor Franklin
Edison in business in that city. Franklin
Edison removed To this city to engage in the
produce business when Cyrus boy Cyrus
was the eldest boys, and was sent 10
Columbia College when he was about eighteen
years old He took healthy interest in athletic
sports and was A member of Goodwn's famous
four Dared crew which Columbia sent 10 Henley.
ENGLAND That only American college
crew that ever won first honors on the great Eng
lsh course and on the return OF the crew to New
York the members were honored with a public
hosts
After being graduated from Columbia. Edison
went through the course at the College Of Physi-
clans and Surgeons, and was graduated from that
institution in 1881 He appointed sanitary
inspector in the Health Department in the follow
ing year shortly before the election of his father
as Mayor Almost from the start. Dr. Edison
showed that he public official of great en-
ergy and ambition. His activity in investigating
food adulterations led the forma ton Of a
bureau Of offensive trades in the Health Depart
ment. and he placed at the head Of il In that
position he waged war many nuisances which
existed before his time, and ne abolished many or
them.
Next DR.. Edison placed in charge Of the Bureau
of Contagious Diseases. and in that office he be
came known one of the most fearless lnVesu-
gators and one Of the ablest diagnosticians he
seemed 10 have the real detective instinct in trac
ing the fountain heads Of Contsgion. In stamping
out epidenics of typhus fever and smallpox he
gained q wide reputation. His advice was sought
by the sanitary officials Of other cities on several
occasions He improved the methods of disintec-
ton He was as active in goins into pestholes 70
cleanse them as he had been before in raids on
watered milk dealers and on the manufacturers of
impure candy During the years he was at the
head Of the Bureau Of Contagious Diseases Dr.
Edson found time work in the laboratory and
ne became a expert chemist He had private
laboratory Of his own and he fond OF expert
ments. When Zansk invented tho dynamite gun
Dr. Edison took active interest in the expert
nlents with weapon. He and the inventor
used n 60 about in COMPANY carrying samples OF
dynamite in their pockets the alarm If some Of
their friends
On the retirement Of DR. Ewing in 1892, Dr. Ed
son was promoted 10 the Office Of Sanitary Super
intendent He then under the Board Of Health.
directed the forces Of the Health Department. and
ne displayed 50 much executive ability that his
reputation was increased In the following year.
when DR. Joseph D. Bryant resigned the Office Of
Health Commissioner, Mayor Giroy persuaded Dr..
Fdson 10 accept that office. Mayor Strong kept
DR. Edson in office as Health Commissioner in the
early part Of his administration not being able, ne
said. find better man, but as Or Edison was a
Democrat Colonel Strong asked for his resigns-
ton with the understanding that il should he held
indefinitely. Or Edison insisted on resgning IN
June 1885. saying in letter 70 the Mavor
From = business or political standpoint your
proposition may perhaps be reasonable ana riSnt'
cian 7 cannot hut feel would be seriously com
promised II l accepted II nave gwen Jhe 9ess
Health commencing on the lowest round If the
ladder. have held nearly every Subordlnate posi-
ton to which a physician Is eligible IhTough al al
these offices ! have been progressively promoted
wit hout backward step
was appointed ComtHssloner aoout Two years
ago without solicitation directly or indirectly, ana
the term for which was appointed has sun about
epidcrlics ana have had the good fortune TO direct
nv subordnates to such eIect as 10 fepea1ediiE pai
It.rarened the people of the citv.
I believe the Board Of Health was never % 50 eIT ST
Navor is well known, and II IS noi necessary nor
does please NE 10 tfc" tba 70 accent vour 1ropos
ron and remain Commissioner OF Healih nnder IN
condition you impose Hosio ~ t1o m P6iGbIv n3reiv
self-rcspect.
After his retirement from office br 1dson gained
q large private practice and at times oVer"orked
hiroseIf He wrote many articles for medical re-
views and frequently was called as an expert III