New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-15
DOCTORS BLAME ODELL.
Got Votes for Anti-SanatoriuBn Bill,
.Sags T.. II. DEFINE.

A. the meeting Of the New-Tork Society of
Medical Jurisp prudence last evening resolutions
deplorlng the Notion OF Governor Odeu in sign
ing and OF the legislature IN enacting the law
passed at the last session known as the Good
en-Beden bill by which the establishment OF
sanaforiuIns for consumptives by any city in
this state outside 5ts own limits is made prac-
tically prohibitive were introduced by DIT. S A
Knopf. Of this city. a specialist in pulmonary
tuberculosis ard vice-president Of the American
Academy Of Medicine. who read paper on "A
Plea for Justice TO the Consumptive."
DR. Knopfs paper was intended according to
MS preface as 8 reply TO recent attempts to
discriminate against the consumptive particu-
larry as shown IN a recent article in The New
York Medical Journal" mot only on account OF
his physical inhrmity. nut also on account OF
his alleged mental and moral defects
Dr.. Knopf began by attacking what he called
Official private and professional phthislspno-
bia," by which he meant the feeling IN those
respective circles OF fear of the presence OF
coasumptives and belief that danger of conta-
Eion from sufferers from the disease is greater
than the consensus OF medical opinion holds 10
be the case. He criticised a recent decision of
the United States Surgeon General with respect
10 the admission Of immigrants suffering from
consumption, and declared it to be unjust TO
keep out such persons from the country unless
there We're other reasons for their deportation.
de declared that the GoodselI- Bedeu bill
showed undue attention TO property interests
and no regard for the oonsUmptives of the
State" He asked the society to use it's efforts
for the repeal OF this Infamous law"
he declared that consumptives were not by
reason OF their disease prone TO any more i'm
morality crime selhshness or distortion OF eth
zeal principles than any other human beings. He
supported his declarations by reading letters
from many authorities on the disease in this
city and elsewhere.
The resolutions in the name Of the society
asked the Governor and the legislature to re-
peal the law, which. If 1t should remain on the
statute books and be enforced. would involve
the loss Of thousands of lives and increase the
spread Of tuberculosis within the crowded dis
tricts Of the cities and towns in alarming
degree"
Although most OF the physicians present IA
vored these sentiments. the lawyers showed OPP
position.
Edward T. Devine. secretary of the Charity
Organization Society. made the following state
Tnent Of how the bill came TO pass.
Before the bill thought OF there was a
farmer in Orange County who owned a desira BILE
lot Of land near club. in which some OF Gov
ernor Odeus friends were interested This farmer
wanted 10 sell the land to the club but its officers
I'm make item buy i ana he zones 80 downs 70
New-York city and offers his land free to a GER
tain charitable organization for the purpose of
erecting z sanatOTium for cOnsumptiVes thereon.
The farmer thought that when the club members
heard Of his intention they would capitula and
buy his land without any more trouble. But they
ence which they were able 10 exert in the ieeis
lauTe and IN the Office OF the chief executive OF the
State himself, they secured the introduction Of this
bill, making IL impossible for the creation Of such
sanatorium IN any town without the consent OF its
governing authorities.
The House voted down the bill its first read
ing. but within an hour, after a personal repre-
sentative Of the Governor had succeeded in chang
ing the attitude Of enough members necessary for
majority. the bill finally went through and was
signed.
The resolutions were left for the action Of the
board OF trustees.