New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-05
DISEASE FROM BOOKS.


The agitation ~ she raA,c library Board of Chi
oaro and - medical rnca "a several other places
in regard 70 the communication 81 disease through
the medium 81 hooks has called the attention OF
nervous people in Ncw-Nork 20 similar oangers N
their own CITY II is said that contagious diseases
have been suread sI through the State OF Kentucky
by the use Of second hand school books ana some
authorities say that protection can only be iouho
in burning the books. their disinfectlon belng oe-
clared 20 be absolutely impossible Ihese G4ooH'S
views are NOT shared by the Health Board OF New
York nor by the school and public library author
itics.
To say that the absolute dsinfection OF a book
IS inopossibles said DR.. Walter Bensel. assistant
sanitary inspector OF the Board Of Health is tech-
nicaIly correct but practically We can disinfect
book as well as a Absolute sterilization III
either case IS impossible. but the danger OF mice
ZION is reduced practically TO the vanishing point
Arthur T. Bostwick chief OF the circulation de-
partment OF the New-York Public Library eX-
pressed himself similarly
IT was proved by series OF experiments IN inc
University OF Pennsylvania, conducted under the
direction Of John s. Billings director or the New
York Public Library that books could be dislh-
fected Cultures were taken from sets or olslh-
fected books and from others that had not been
disinfected, and no germs could be grown from me
former" he said.
The Roard OF Health disinfects books by means OF
formaldehyde gas under pressure The BOOKS are
placed in an alright compartment and SUSPENDED
81 such a wav that the leaves will hang loosely
and be exposed the action Of the gas
The board sends every day TO each one OF the
thirty branches of the Public Library a list OF an
The places where contagious diseases have been
reported II any persons holding books from the
branch are found this list they are Immediately
notified not TO return the books until they have
been disinfected by the Board OF Health or until
further notice, and they are assured at the SANS
time that no fines will be charged during the ap-
sence Of the books from the library. Simultane-
orsl,- notice is sent TO the Board OF Health that
infected books belonging 10 the branch are 70 pe
found at such number ana win me h oCce Is -
semi an order 10 the person holding the DOORS 10
deliver them 10 the representative OF me $3.50
Health. When the books have been Hlsl , b
they are returned 10 the branch TO which uley De-
a6f course. this does not eliminate all danger said
Mr. RostRick TO a Tribune reporter ~ mere are
- rre BOARD Of Health. II is a matter OF per
Eona knowledge that physicians often conGesl suCn
s-i1,es md retorf them TO the Board OF Health. A
child viii come IN. for instance after an absence
Of a few days and say that It hasn't been able 10
come before because OF scarlet fever in the family
There are other cases such as eye diseases, that
the Board OF Health takes no cognizance OF, But
IS very slight No is more exposed 10 infection
s,Cb "A case OF Infection and have heard similar
statements made in Librarians meetings. ne only
90 "a M i-or, ti6ercnoss had been in the
the leaves Of the books, and thus the disease was
Communicated TO several other clerks who had the
some small Libraries concluded Mr.; Bostwitl1,
shave their own dsinfectng plant and dsinfect the
books every time they change hands but in
larger library. whore thousand books are handled
daily. this would scarcely be practicable, and
matter fact there is much more danger from
streetcar straps and many other things than from
books"
The Board Health also sends It's daily list of
coutaFion cases 10 the public schools, and all
school books found 10 be in the possession Of the
families reported burned
''Of course the ideal method would be to dis
infect school books after eacn child has finished
with them" said DR.. Bense. but this would
be counsel Of perfection which the public is
scarcely ready FOR as yet. II would neCessitate
disufecting plant in each school, and would be
a tremendous expense.