New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
CONSUMPTLVES' BOAT.
Old Ferry Where I'pcipient Cases
Are Cared For-Patients Improving.

Miss tuberculosis Bacillus is lucky cat. She is
not obliged TO wear that name ali the time. by the
way. Among her intimates she is known as T. B.
T. B. is lucky because she has about sixty people
who have nothing particular to do but pet her,
AMI she lives in a land-that is TO say on a boat
that fairly with milk. For T B. is the mascot
Of the day camp for consumptves, the camp
that has been made at the foot of West 18th street
out of the old Staten Island ferryboat Southleld
The old boat looked a comfortable place yester-
day as she rocked at her moorings by the dock.
Hot the day was, a cool breeze blew up from
the river the decks. Fifty-eight people. men,
women and children, all suffering from inCpient
tuberculosis. lay In steamer chairs along the decks
Some played cards, few of the women sewed, but
most OF the patients just lay and rested T. b.
stood on her head and amused them generally She
and the trained nurse who is in charge there and
one of the helpers are the only individuals the
Eouthheld now who have got consumption.
There are several helpers who have the disease in
a mild FORM including young Japanese.
This work is being done at the expense Of the
Charity Organization Society. All physicians and
social workers. and especially the physicians in
charge Of the Associated tuberculosis Dispensaries
know the difficulties in the way OF fighting con-
sumption In this crowded. dusty town.
IT is easy enough" said doctor at the Board
OF Health dispensary, Ito tell a consumptive that
he must have fresh air, plenty Of milk etc. but
suppose he lives in q little dark apartment IN n
Ie o9neesIea tenement suppose he has no money for
mix! We haven't enough parks TO so around, and
e consurnptFe needs something more than bench
81 an open park"
The waterfront was thought Of The people in
serestea esreed that it was the best place in New
YoTk Tor tnvaltds needing fresh air and plenty it,
Commissioner Bensel. OF the Department Of Docks
and Ferries, was asked il he would allow the
ISouthfeld, which has simply been loadng ever
since the new Staten Island ferryboas put her out
OF commission, be used for a consumptiyes
camp. The Commissioner consented at once and
so the old boat was furnished up and put into
shape
Most OF the patients are sent by tho varto,s
hispensaries. Bellevue the Presbyterian the Board
OF Health and the others belonging to the Associ-
eted tuberculosis Dispensaries. Sometimes patients
Just wander in by themselves ana without anv
card. having heard OF what is being done there in
some way or other. In such cases they are di-
rected TO go to the dspensary nearest their home
and If the physician there finds they really have in
clpient consumption they may enlist on the South
field The hours there are from o'clock I'LL )
But We don't drive them away at o. said the
nurse. IF they like TO sit on later they may Sew
they go home
Just then a new patient arrived a slav with
colorless. placid face and limited amount of Eng
lsh The nurse handed him q sputum cup, q folded
paper cup TO drink out of and paper napkin 10
hold before his mouth when he coughed. He lis
tened anxiously and earnestly TO the careful drec-
lions she gave him, and went out TO find a chair
All the patients must stay out in the open air
Arthur dear" the nurse exclaimed 10 q small
yellow haired boy who was handling some checkers
in the cabin, you must go outside. Take your
checkers dear but stay out in the air. Won't some
Of you men play game with this boy?" she asked
Of the group of men outside.
Sure. WILL" said old man in steamer
chair and they sat down together. the gray haired
man and the child both of them suffering with the
same disease
A sweet faced young girl caught the nurses
hand and held It while The latter asked her how
she felt.
That's Jenie," said the nurse as she passed
along. She was found working in a factdrv With
temperature Of los. Now she's improving fast
Many Of them are improving. There's man over
there who wac terribly white and thin when he
first came. Now you see how brown he is and he
gains every day in weight. All of them are weighed
each morning"
Quantities OF milk consumed on the South
field Every patient takes from three to eight
glasses daily, and from three TO eight raw eggs
AT noon hot tea and coffee are given out and
plenty Of bread and butter
II you ask the patients the Eouthfeld or the
nurse or anybody else around there, what IS most
needed in the work. with voice they will an
sVVer hammocks." At present there is Just one
hammock there, and though none of the patients
have come TO blows it yet there is no telling
what may happen if kind fairy sends more ham
Inocks That single hammock has two occupants
from morning till nigh.
since this work started people have been very
nice. SAID the nurse. only to-day some one sent
US those beautiful sveetpeas I 90 wish some one
would send US some haInmocks They'd be so nice
for the patients 10 rest in when they're tired