New-York tribune., 1903-07-18
THEY, NEED GOOD AIR.
Help the 10000 COnsumptiUes Of
TenementS, Pleads DR.. KnOpf.

"An those who have the interests of consumptives
ar heart look for early repeal of the cruel and
inhuman Goodsell- -Bedel law" said DR.. S. A. Knopf
at the Summer School of Philanthropy yesterday
morning The New-York Academy of Medicine
and the tuberculosis committee Of the Charity
Organization Society implored the Governor at the
time not TO sign this bill. which makes the estab-
Hshment Of sanatoria for consumptives in the
country districts of our State practically impos-
sibe and it is evident that ne did so under mis-
apprehension.
What can We do in the time for the i'm
mediate relief of thousands of consumptive poor.
still Up and about. but either without work or
unable to work, who are now sweltering in the
densely crowded tenement districts?
There are still some vacancies in the phthisis
hospital on Blackwers Island. which estab-
lshed last year by COMMISSIONS Folks Of the De
partmeut OF Charities, and II Ire Riverside Sana-
torium. established this yes- - Drs. Lederle and
Bggs, of the Health Deps--2ent of the city of
New-York. In both institutions cases needing i'm
mediate medical ATTENDANCE VIII be received from
the most crowded tenement districts, so far as &C
Commodaton viii permit.
But for the so-caIled ambulant cases, many of
whom in the poorest circumstances, and who
suffer intensely when the heat is oppressive, it
is so often in New-York during July, August and
September. some relief should be given by our city
fathers phianthropists. I have given this sub
ject considerable thought of late, and it seems TO
me that two things could be done for the relief of
should be reserved exclusively for pulmonary in
valids There they could spend the greater part Of
the day and one or two nurses could be detailed
to supervise them. An appeal 10 our generous
townsman Nathan Straus. would surely give US the
necessary milk for these unfortunates, and thus a
few hundreds at least of the consumptve sufferers
among the poor could he made more comfortable.
Others might be taken for daily excursions the
river and Sound, and cared for in the same way
as on the pier. Both these plans would render the
existence Of consumptive invalids more endura bic
curing the hot weather. and would be of immeas-
urable benefit 10 them and 70 others as thew might
be taught much that would he -isef11I concerning
me atent OF their disease and the care of their
sputum- The expense would be small comnared
with the beneht 10 the sufferers and 10 the public
a. large.
The few city hospitals. besides those on the ISL
6ncs, "hlcn generously offer number of their beds
20 cons lnpllFe sufferers, could increase the
fort of this class Of patients during mis- h0 geath
eT by turning the tops Of their buildings into roof
nearly every hospital a roof garden can he inn
proFlsed by covering il with a canvas roof 10
Nhlch are attached side flaps for use when pro-
- lt-ol rom sun or ram Is necessary. and with
Iew MOWERS and little shrubberv here and there
ne place can be made very attractive
O1r city authorities and philanthropists should
not delay IN taking these steps Every hour which
ne cohsuIpFe spends in the open air adds to his
changes Of recovery and Of again becoming a
community " D'i's Du'ueh 10 lHe
, There are at this moment moro than twenty
" populated tenement districts Man, of them are
~ S9I-IE "Iu!out the most ordinary comforts of
attendance The charity voTi,are 10 nc tr1y;0s ~ 10
kIVe, mem food and clothing but they need air
III I'll a-I, good air pure air.
i ne Wen TO do consunptive socks tho mountain
NOR c,ye,,t LIZ cooIlng breezes Of the ocean The
oTe 1its1-InptiFe OF the tenement has neither the
go TOT ne other. Yet the invigoratjng breeZes of
@ r beautiful Bay and Of our river fronts could be
Gods 80 atu ne 100 could become partaker OF
bthriIes iIesf pure air, 10 which he is entitled by his