New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-23
FEAR BAD EYE EPIDEMIC.
alag Result from Throscing of Con-
fetti at Coney Island.

Nevp-Yorlx is again confronted by an eye
disease which may spread n proportion to the
sphinx eye which affected many at the time
or the construction Of the subway. ophthalmla
IS the disease which eye specialists declare will
follow the Mardi Gras carnival that closes at
Coney Island tonight The disease is feared by
physicians to such ST extent that influence was
brought TO bear ca the carnival committee
which resulted in posters being freely displayed
ehout Coney Island TO warn confetti throwers
that any person who gathers the torn bits of
paper from the pavement and throws them at
another person viii be arrested. and If found
guilty will be punished by either 8 hne or S1Oo
or SIX months imprisonment
The presence of the eye disease was first ascer-
tanned by DR.. John W. Pierce Of West Sth-st-.
Coney Island who is the Oldest physician at the
resort. and who one of the first to warn the
Mardi Gras committee OF the danger. DR.. Pierce
treated more than a score of women whose eyes
were badly affected by confetti, which is gener-
ally Of a cheap variety and covered with matter
known 10 be infectious The infection in some
OF the cases was so pronounced that Dr.. Pierce
Is sure an alarming eye disease epidemic Will
follow the throwing Of waste paper and soied
confetti which has been going on without re-
straint since the carnival began on Tuesday
evening Thousands of visitors to the closing
season celebration have had their eyes irritated
by showers Of dirt specked confetti thrown by
rowdies, who are taking advantage OF the ponce
iaxity to make things uncomfortable for respect
able young women visitors
Only q small part of those infected have been
treated by local physicians and druggists. AT
the Coney Island Reception Hospital the physl-
clans have treated several cases of iritis
which resulted. directly from confetti throwing.
rr Morrison the physician in charge there
shares the opinion Of DR.. Pierce that the eye
disease will become epidemic. In Luna Park.
where the throwing Of confetti was first intro
duced wheo that resort opened, the use of con-
setti is restricted, and any person who attempts
10 gather the bits of paper from the ground is
affected from the park The same precautions
were taken by the arrangements of Dreamland
and SteeplechaSe Park. while at Bostocks Harry
Tudor the manager. has entirely prohibited the
throwing OF confetti. as on a previous occasion,
when the animal show performing in a
street carnival six lions used by Captain Bona
vita were affected by an eye disease which they
contracted from soiled confetti which had been
gathered from the cutters.
The disease. which physicians say can be con-
tracted from confetti, is likely to spread gen
orally, and il is believed that within week the
epidemic Will have set in Conjunctivitts, an
equally distressing eye disease, also results
from the form of amusement resorted to by the
hoodiums.
while a score Of complaints have been made to
the police. no steps have been taken to prevent
any further danger On the first night Of the
carnival it was generally believed that Captain
Dooley would take action but his transfer
the case was left without further investigation.
Sergeant Mcguire who is acting captain Of the
Coney Island police since the transfer of Cap
tain Dooley. instructed the regular men and the
reserves to arrest any one who sells confetti
cute those who throw the soiled shreds Of paper.
It was said yesterday that the case would be
brought to the attention of the Health Depart
rnent, which may order the use Of confetti
stopped tonight