New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-03
ALLIED AGAINST NOISE.
Vel Knozon People Protest Against
Signals of RiUer Craft.

Mrs. Isaac l. Rice, who recently complained to
the federal authorities concerning the whstl1ng OF
tugs and other craft at night the North RIVER
has received letters from well known persons COZ
nected with various institutions supporting her IN
her fight DR.. NJ S. Gregory, resident alieuist OF
Bellevue Hospital, writes follows:
/ think that the hundreds of employees of Bellevue
to live on the premises, wouid be unanimous IN
declaring that their sleep is frequently dlster9eg
al night by the incessant whistIng OF passing sing
steamers on the river 1t is quite importanI ina
ing should obtain an adequate amount OF III uhqls-
turbed sleep, to render proper service to the pa
that physicians nurses ana employees YOU'D
hardly complain Of such annoyances II we GiG 5 nUs
feel that this whistlins was not Of more SERIOUS
Many patients suffering from typhoid, meningitis
the least noise or disturbance To these IestI1i
sleep Is of paramount Importance and frequen ny
such disturbance may cause a relax or turn the
scale against them. In many delirious patients an
hours rest or sleep may mean life
Coming 10 the department Immediately under my my
disturbed and restless insane patients are cared
for-I can say. from personal experience that me
to the patients and makes our work more trying
and difficult AS you no Gouo[ SNOW yse freSeT+1
observed that apprehensfve patient would go
into state Of frenzy a result of these annoying
noises.
In the treatment Of some forms Of mental affee o
tons due TO mental and physical exhaustion rest
full sleep is q most important factor ana tte ire
uIent disturbance of the same may endanger per
rnanently the future mental welfare OF Ihe paueHI'
Dr. Herman NJ Biggs, general medical officer
ST tie Department Of Health says that similar
complaints have been made 20 the department and
that they have been substantiated by the investi-
cations Of the inspectors. He says the matter has
been referred TO the Corporation Counsel. and
offers the sympathy OF the department in the at
tempt to mitigate the noise. S 7. Armstrong,
general medical superintendent Of Bellevue and
Allied Hospitals, writes that this whstling mas
been matter of long standing annoyance to the
sick who are being treated IN GouTerneur and
Bellevue hospitals both Of which institutions are
the river front"
Under date OF December Is. 1905. ex-Police Com
missioner McAdoo wrote az follows;
vii b. glad So far as the law permits, TO CO
operate with the federal authorities with reference
10 the matter OF abatng tugboat whistiing on the
North and East rivers and adjacent waters.
Among the, persons supporting Mrs Rice are
Charles H Horribly. superintendent of the Flower
Hospital John ]. FaIlou. warden Of the peniten-
tiary on Blackwens Island; J. 3. Mickle. superin-
tenaent Of the Metropolitan Hospital Joseph P.
Byers superintendent Of the New-York House Of
Refuge at Randalrs Island NJ c. Dunphy supertn-
tendent Of the New-York City Hospital and Schools
at Randalps Island; Alderman Max S. Grifenhageu.
Alderman John R Davies. George B. Cannon. Max
Andans Congressman w. A Bennett DR.. Evan
dell superintendent Of the Metropolitan Training
School on Blackwells Island. and James D. Lamb,
superintendent Of the City Hospital on Blackwels
Island.