New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-18
DOCTORS PRAISE D0TY
Always Found Conditions at
SWinburne Island Satisfactory.
CALLED GOOD SANITARIAN
Counsel for Health officer Says
He and His Assistants Will
Testify Willingly.

Several prominent physicians who have
acted In an unofficial advisory capacity
for the last few years TO DR.. Alvah X.
Doty. Health officer OF this port, testified
in his favor yesterday when the investiga
ton Of Dr. Doty's administration of the
Quarantine station was resumed before
Commissioner Bulger. DIR. Abraham
jacob Dr. John w Brannan. president of
the board of trustees of Bellevue and
Allied Hospitals. and Or. Joseph +. Bryant.
who was the late Grover Cleveland's phys
clan. all testified that they had been accus-
toned TO visit and inspect the hospital at
Hoffman Island and the pavilions at Swim
burne Island once a year since DIR. Doty
had been Health officer, and had found
conditions satisfactory from a sanitary and
medical point of view.
After much fencing with Commissioner
Bulger in regard to the competency of the
witnesses testimony relative to the eff
ficiency of Or. Doty and his assistants.
Drs. Hall and Rimer Mr.. Battle. counsel
for the defence. managed TO get their testl-
mony on the record commencing DR.. Doty
and his regime from a medical point of
view
DR. Brannan said he had known Or. Doty
for many years, and had been associated
with him in a professional capacity at
various times. and had always found him
active. efficient and productive of good re-
suits in whatever he undertook.
Commissioner Bulger said he would pre-
fer to have Or. Doty and his assistants
called as witnesses rather than to take the
testimony Of some one else as to their
for ha
they were doing Mr.. Battle said they
would come willingly TO testify, provided
there was not another cholera outbreak to
occupy ali their time.
in answer to a hypothetical question pro-
pounded by Mr.. Battle DIR. Jacob said that
II DR. Doty observed the sanitary rules in
his Doty's) book he wa. a good sani-
tartan.
This was true particularly of the re-
cent cholera question" said DR.. Jacob.
great fear is the cause of the spread or
many diseases ] have slept with cholera
patient, ate the same food, and had no
fear"
Questioned by Commissioner Bulger DR..
Jacob said fumigation was absolutely of
no use with cholera, but that thorough
disinfection might be employed To advan-
tage.
Wouldn't it be possible for men of medi-
cal skill TO detect cholera day or two
before the patient colapses?' asked Mr.
Dusbkind. counsel for the compliments, on
Icross-examination.
"Not always" replied Or. Jacob, "a
person affected with cholera may collapse
very suddenly
But in a general way, wouldn't 1t be
possible?" asked Mr.. Dushkind.
YES. in a general way" said the wit
ness but persons don't usually die in
general way
DR.. Simon Flexner, head of the Rookie
Teller Institute. was recalled a witness
yesterday. Mr.. Dushkind declared immi-
grant mothers detained with their children
AT Hoffman Island were compelled to work
in the hospital and wash and care FOR the
sick children, and afterward were allowed
to leave the hospital without disinfecting
themselves and mingle with the well chill
dren.
Would YOU consider such methods lax?'
asked Mr.. Dushkind.
The witness replied in the affirmative.
Wouldn't you consider it manslaughter?"
asked Mr.. Dushkind
Let a lawyer answer that question:
interposed Judge Bulger, with smile
DIR. William z. Northrup specialist In
children's diseases, testified that he origl-
mated the cold air treatment for pneumonia
which is in use at Hoffman Island. II con-
slsts in allowing the wind 10 blow on the
natient. II the patient could be placed
near a snowbank the result would be pet
fer DR.. Northrup said. for the cold In
creases the circulation and stimulates the
b,ood nressure. DR.. Northrup said the
cold air treatment was also good for chill
dren and adults suffering from measles and
scarlet fever.
on cross-examination by Mr.. Dushkind
DR. Northrup admitted that recently ne
had had pneumonia. and that the cold air
treatment was not used on him. His vile
,.o,,ld NOT hermit him to use it, he said
hut nevertheless, he considered 1t the best
treatment.
The hearings will be continued to-day.