New-York tribune., 1912-03-18
PHYSICIANS TO BUILD
Academy Of Medicine Asks Pub
lie to Help Raise S50O,OOO.
OLD QUARTERS OUTGROWN
Membership Gives Sl2o,ooV
and Work Will Begin When
100000 Is in Hand.

100000 Is in Hand.
The New York Academy Of Medicine
generally recognized as the foremost medl-
cal society of the city. is busily engaged
in a campaign to raise through puohc suo-
scription the money necessary lor l'S p'o
posed new building, to be erected OF the
site Of the present building, No. II west
43d street, and on the property imheoia'ely
to the east and north y committee' Vi
which DR.. L. Emmett Holt vice-presldeht ol
the academy, is chairman was receh'S
appointed to take charge OF the supscrlp-
tions from outside the profession. l"e
committee which has been collecting from
members for some time past reported 10 the
president, DR. William NJ Polk, not long
ago that the fund had reached Sl2J,WO
This amount. most OF which was con-
tributed directly by fellows OF the acdueHS,
will nearly cover what remains to be palu
on the lots at No. 10 West 43d street ho"
occupied by a preparatory school, ana NO
10 West 44th street, on which an ola slao'e
still stands. and is practically pledged 10
that purpose. DR.. Polk said the other daS'
leaving all the money to be collected from
the public for the erection OF a sultaoie
building 10 cover the ground. About $780,
900 will be needed. according to the presi-
dents estimate, and the building VIII be
begun the instant that the 5000" marx Is
reached II the present plans are not
changed in the mean time.
II has been fOreseen for four or hHe
years that the academy daily growing In
scope and membership, would have in some
way TO enlarge it's quarters. The greatest
pressure was felt in the library OF the or
ganizaton, now the largest medical library
IN this country with the exception of that
in the Medical Museum in Washington. II
comprises nearly 10000 bound volumes anu
half again as many pamphlets. report OF
the library committee in 1903 showed that
under normal growth all additions to the
library after December. 1911, would have TO
be laid on the floor unless increased facili-
ties were forthcoming, and pointed out that
a library OF the character Of the acad-
emys was worthy Of a new building, even
If one were not imperative for other rea-
sons.
DR.. Polk. in speaking OF this phase OF the
question, pointed out that the New York
Public Library made no effort to keep UP
with the medical literature Of the times
relying on the library OF the academy 10
furnish this important service to the pub
H.. For ;h!s reason the doors Of the acad-
emy's library are opened to the student OF
medical questions FOR five hours daily, eN-
cept on holidays and during the hot season.
with this fact and the invaluable services
which the members OF the academy. col
leCtvely and individually. render to the
city and the state IN view, DR. Polk re-
marked that he looked for a quick ana
ready response TO the appeal FOR FUNDS
The Academy of Medicine was founded
early I'm lS47, and from then until 1875 helc
its meetings in various halls in the lower
part Of the city finally coming into
building OF its own, at No. i2 West 3lst
street. a typical brownstone residence, en-
larged through the generosity OF DR.. Abram
Du Bols to answer the contemporary wants
OF the institution.
1t was not long, however before the
growth OF various sections OF specialists
within the academy and the afiiliation with
It Of other medical and scientific bodies
made patent the need Of a larger building.
TIE way to THIS was paved with dona-
ton Of $500 from Mrs Anna Woerishoffer
and legacy OF $1,000 from Mrs. Cellne B.
Hosack TO the husband OF each of these
benefactors hall was dedicated In tho
new building, according 10 the terms OF the
gifts.
This building the present home OF the
academy, was opened ~ November %, 1880.
II was five stories in height. contained hve
large rooms for the meetings OF the various
societies. numerous smaller rooms for sun
dry purposes and library facilities for 5000
volumes. IT was then considered marvel
of accommodation.
Now, however the library has far out
grown It's shelves. No less than thrty-iivc
societies hold regular meetings In the halls,
exclusive of the meetings OF the national
medical societies when they are held here
and the meetings OF the academy itself Ot
these there are two regular meetings
monthly. and eleven sub-scCtlons, meeting
from once TO twice a month. Among ;hs
recent matters discussed before the acad-
emy's general meetings have been the quar-
antine situation, the call for medical mis-
siOnarics and the alcohol question.
The committee In charge Of raising pub
lie subscriptions includes Dr. Holt, chair
man: Dr. Joseph ID. Bryant. DR.. William
NJ. Polk. Dr. Abraham Jacob, DR.. A. VI.
Jacobus and DIR. X. l.. Sayre. With large
contributions viii go the privilege Of nam
ing halls or libraries devoted to special
thf fagt