New-York tribune., 1909-07-12
HELPING THE HELPLESS
Food and dir for Children Of
Tubercular Parents.

pensaries maintain efficient corps OF workers
whose efforts directed toward relieving me
suffering of the unfortunate ones Of the city some
are closely identified with the movement 10 eradi-
cate tuberculosis and to this end one of the
Tribunes Fresh Air homes IS devoted Far away
In the Catskis. at Shokan, y. Y, is located the
krom Farm, where children Of tuberculary parent
sent each summer to be strengthened and
built that they may be able to throw OF
| any consumptive tendencies The farm is high up
in the windswept hills, where the nights are dry
and cool and the days and sunny
DR.. J. Ogden Woodruff, who examines the chill
dren at intervals during their stay at the home,
the manager of the Fund three nurses from
the tubercular department of Bellevue, Mount Sinai
and st. Iuke's hospitals visited Shokan last week
Here there are living at present ninety-nine little
boys and girls. who went from the city few
weeks ago, underfed and poorly nourshed. None
Of them is afflicted with tuberculosis; the home
is not tubercular camp. but the little are
from families where the great white plague has
set its stamp. and unless every precauton is taken
the children may become afflicted Every child on
the farm whose thin, white face meets the gaze
OF the visitor has back in the dingy. unsanitary
home in New York father OF brother, sister
mother suffering from consumption. There Sho-
kan, in the clean pure countryside. the Fresh Air
Fund is making every effort prevent the disease
from hlighting the lives of these little ones
The children charges of The various hospitals
in the city. BY the social service depart
ment, the tUbercular clinics able to investigate
the homes Of their patients and take preventive
measures in behalf OF the healthy members Of the
families. Whenever a consumP5ive case is brought
the notice of the authorities. a nurse is
sent 10 the house where the patient lives, and the
conditions prevailing there are examined. In this
manner the children OF the homes discovered
and when, often happens the disease has prog
ressed far with the parent trat medical attend
can only relieve and nat cure, measures can
stil be taken for the benefit ~ those who are sl
we'll The children are carefully watched Each
one is examined every few "eeks so that any in
fection may be arrested at Tho start. When sum
comes the nurses give the names of the most
pressing cases to the Fresh, Ar Fund and many
children can be accommodated sent TO Sho-
kan, where they stay long enough 10 be thoroughly
strengthened 10 the trying conditions in their
homes
Among the children at Shckan are hfty-tlT'a
Bellevue thrty-seven from Mount Sinai.
seven from -. Lu<e's and from the Vanderbilt
Clinic. The cooperation Of Jhe Fresh Air Fund
with the hospitals thus helps to make effective the
efforts being made stamp out tuberculosis
HOW THEY PASS THE TIME.
At the Kron farm the children lead aueter Ilfe
than at most OF the Fresh Air homes. They are
not allowed TO play hard exercise strenuous
ly FOR anv length Of time Plenty of naurishng
and rest. with lust enough games TO keep them
contented and happy. are provided Extra milk is
given intervals during the day. The chlldTrn go
bed 750 o'clock and rise At O'Clock 4 rest
hour taken in the afternoon. which Is followed by
games OF one form another. In the morning al!
20 FOR n swim long walk sundays they 80
into the village church, attending the NnriouS
places OF worship. according 10 their custom at
home The evenings between supper and bed hour
occupied in singing and telling stories.
Many OF the children who come to Shokan are
without proper clothing and the fund is able TO
meet only the expenses for transportation and
aiming the homes. Contributions OF jumpers.
overalIs. nightclothes bathing suits. and para ~
larry shoes, would prove acceptable. The sport Of
the boys would be greatly increased hy the gift Of
a soccer football and basketball Some Of The
children have idea just what 10 bring. even II
they. fortunate enough To possess the needed
clothing So they come into the hands 81 the At
tendauts, who at loss To know h"w to provide
all.
one Of the little boys approached an attendant
"A few days after his arrival with these words:
Say Doe don't It ever rain hereg'
The attendant looked at the three foot bundle OF
human energy his feet with some surprise.
why. yes Mike" he replied, sometimes. what
do you know for?'
law. nothing" answered he youth. rs he walked |
away with puzzled look bis face.
During the afternoon a sun shower up. a |
fcw drops fell. and then the bcamcd forth !
again.
The attendant glanced out in the VA and hehcld
Mike" pa-adinR back and forth. triunphantv |
CARRIED IN rubber hat. coat and boots. Save a toy |
train ~ and musical tor. the rainproof out
At all Mike" thought necessary for his months
outing
Where did you get that. Mike" the attendant
called To him.
"Aw' he replied "a rcn lady friend OF mine !
gave Il 10 me" The authorities al the house gave
him pair OF raiamas which impressed him so |
favorably as morning attire that he appeared at
breakfast with on. and later went To play
in bath slippers, declaring that they We're much !
more comfortable than shoes.
The start from the city wien the trip was taken
resulted in much hustle and excitement for most Of
the children. Few had any idea OF the distance -
had ever been on four iour ride on the train.
The party had hardly got well under way before |
one little fellow cried
many blocks more, Doc?"
Just then another discovered "A peacefully |
grazing on the hillside, and the alarm given. |
A concerted stampede his side Of the train re- |
suited After gazing at the marvel as long as 1t
stayed sight the party settled down 70 compare
tive quiet when boy heard 10 remark;
"Gee, there amt nothing at all on this side"
HOMEsICK HERO.
Honesickness affects some children acutoly |
that their whole vacation is made wretched This |
is found be true only at shokan, whore in few
cases children down that being |
away from home makes them particularly despond- |
ent. one boy of eleven years proved himself to DC
nothing than little hero last week. During |
the entire time he had been at Shokan he SO |
homesics that nothing seemed sufficient to cheer |
him up When the medical examiner visited the |
home he looked badly that II first |
thought advisable TO take him home. But when ne |
was weighed it found that he had gained two |
pounds spite Of his dependency. The doctor |
took him aside for few words.
will" he said, how many there In your |
family
Seven"
And you are the eldest?''
NO I've got a brother. thirteen"
rs your father liying?'
No"