The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23

Far to the westward on the Coney laland
sands, where the voices Of the bankers are
never heard and the attractions they edver-
tise are speedily forgotten, camp has
been established by the New York Associa-
ton for Improving the Condition Of the Poor
for the cure OF tuberculosis Of bones and
glands in young children, and incidentally
TO present an object lesson to American
municipalities
The beneficial effects Of sea air and saline
baths upon those suffe ring from all forms
Of tuberculosis, except, perhaps, the pull
monary form. most commonly known as con-
sumption, have been recognized in Europe
for many years. Seacoast hospitals for
tuberculous children are numerous in
France, and at least one such hospital, the
Royal Sea Bathing Hospital at Margate,
exists in England.
In America, where every effort Is being
made to suppress pulmonary tuberculosis,
scarcely an effort is being directed against
the many other forms Of the disease.
With thousands Of miles OF coastline,
and hundreds OF cities which possess fav-
orable locations for such institutions, the
first marine hospital for Tuberculosis chill
dren has yet to be. established by either
an American city or State, and the little
enoampment on the Coney Island beach
marks the first entry Of private enterprise
into the broad field.
DIR. Menard declares that 1every city
with slums such as exist in Paris and Lon
don ought to have a thousand beds for
children at seaside hospitals for every
million Of population. Years OF experience
% physician in charge Of the children's
hospital at Berck -sur- Mer give his state
ment the weight OF an authority on the sub
jeot. This hospital contains TIC beds,
which are usually full, and is maintained
by the city Of Paris.
The proportions assumed by the disease
among children in the crowded industrial
region around Lille, in France, early led
TO the farming out Of the little sufferers
among tho fisher folk along the coast. but
the oupidity Of the fishermen and the con-
sequent treatment they accorded their
little charges forced the abandonment OF
this plan Of relief, and sanitarium which
contains 40 beds was established at st.
Pol-Sur-Mer. This will shortly be replaced
BY seaside hospital containing 900 beds,
ut Zuydooote.
Tho sanitarium Of the city Of Paris at
Henday. on the Bay Of Biscay, is main
tstned by the Assistant Publique OF Paris
for the treatment OF tuberculous children,
and there is another small hospital Of like
character at Berck, which contains 100
beds FOR boy 8 and girls. 1t was founded
BY Baron James de Rothschild in memory
ofhis father, and is maintained by his widow
At these hospitals, salt air, sea bathing,
good food and sanitary conditions are
being more and more depended upon to
eject cures, while surgery is resorted to
less frequently each year Nearly 80 per
oent- Of the patients are reported per-
nanently cured. John Seely Ward, Jr., OF
the New York A. I. c. P.'s board OF managers
nnade an exhaustive investigation OF con-
ditions and results abroad. He took with
him . photographer and tngmst to aid
In tho work and obtained valuable data
and many photographs He returned filed
with enthusiasm to enter the field at once
on practical bnes.
The sanltarium was opened on June g.
Omcdslly 1t IL known as Sea Breeze Annex,
but the Coney Islanders are a law unto
themselves, and they have named the place.
The Tents, far better title by reason of
It's descriptive merit.
No ono who takes a short walk I'D Surf