New-York tribune., 1905-08-11
TYPHOID STILL SPREADS.
EXODUS FROM THE SHORE.
Manu- Cases Laid to Bathing an
LOzcer Ban.

With forty typhoid fever patients in the Nor
wegian HOSPITAL at South Brooklyn, the dis
ease continues to spread through the Bay Ridge
and Bath Beach districts OF Brooklyn DIR. j.
P Latta and DR.. P r. Crane, who are treating
the cases in the hospital attribute the epidemic
to the use of impure water and to bathing in
the Lower Bay. Strength was given to the lat
ter theory yesterday when three brothers were
removed from a house in Bath Beach TO the hos
pital. The young men all suffering from
typhoid fever. the origin of which has been
traced to bathing off Bath Beach, where sew
age flows within few yards of the beach. The
patients We're almost daily bathers and were
stricken in quick succession two days ago
In Bay Ridge and Borough Park three more
cases We're reported yesterday In the last TWO
days seventeen patients have been received IN
the Norwegian Hospital None of these cases
is expected to prove fatal. In South Brooklyn
between 51st and Goth SITS, two new cases were
reported making the daily increase in the ty-
phoid affected district almost five cases.
At Bath Beach the reports of typhoid fever
have played havoc with the summer boaroer
industry. So many are leaving that place that
it is said meeting of the citizens will be held
tonight to consider what be done to pre-
vent the epidemic from spreading The doctors
in some instances are now refusing to give the
number of cases under their observation for
publication. No deaths have resulted there,
though almost every doctor is working night
and day to check the malady.
In the vicinity of S6th-st. and 13th-ave.,
where the disease has made it's appearance
within the last few days the cause is laid to
the Dyker Meadows swamp. which covers nearly
twenty acres adjoining this place The swamps
are breeding places for mosquitoes. which are
adding to the discomforts of those living in that
district. The swampland adjoining Ulmer Park,
where similar conditions prevail, is now being
filled in by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany
The streets of Bath Beach and Bay Ridge
were practically under water last night Bath
ave. resembled millpond for almost its entire
length while the side streets were equally sub
merged. In Fort Hamilton ponds made some OF
the streets almost impossible. while the odors
arising from the stagnant water in the de-
pressed spots adjoining some of the houses
where typhoid fever patients lay were almost
sitting.
The inspectors of the Health Department
made house to house tour through Benson
hurst and Bath Beach yesterday morning ir
search of typhoid fever patients. 1t is the in
tention of Drs. Biggs and Billings to take all
possible precautions against the spread Of the
disease They with Commissioner Darlington.
have prepared a circular letter, entitled How
to Avoid the Contraction and to Prevent the
Spread of Typhoid Fever" This will be put in
the hands of all people living in infected houses.
1t says in part:
The disease is transmitted usually by means
of water. milk or food containing the typhoid
bacillus, or it may be contracted directly from
persons having the disease. by people who have
come in intimate contact with them, Il is mos:
strongly advised that at present IT. Brookly1
no we'll or spring water be drunk without hrs:
heir M 9
the wells in Brooklyn are contaminated Water
from the city'S mains is less likely TO be con-
taminated but in order to avoid all chances OF
Infection it is best to dring only distilled or
bottled water or water which has been boiled
All milk the source of which is not absolutely
beyond suspicion. should also be boiled or pas
teurized Oysters should not be eaten during
the months that typhoid fever is prevalent All
food supplies (meat. milk, vegetables etc.
should be carefully protected against flies, and
flies should not be permitted access to the
kitchen. nor to the room in which the meals are
eaten. Bathing at all beaches which have sew
ers emptying in their immediate vicinity should
be strictly avoided