The New York herald., 1921-06-04
DR.. Simon Baruch
Dies at Age of so;
III Three Weeks
Family at Bedside When End
Comes to Well Known New
York Physician.

DR.. Simon Baruch. for the last forty
years one OF this city's best known
physicians. died yesterday in his home.
81 West Seventieth street, at the age
OF so years. His family was at his bed
side He had been ill three weeks.
DR.. Simon Baruch was pioneer in
many branches OF medicine anl surgery.
He performed in 1889 the first success
full operation for appendicitis. and he
was one of the leading authorities of
the nation on hydrotherapeutics. Dr.
Baruch was the first physician of ma
tional prominence to advocate free pub
lie baths.
Born in Schweraenz, Germany. July
20, 1870, DIR. Baruch studied for time
in the Posen Royal Gymnasium, but was
sent to America by his parents before
his education had been completed so he
might avoid compulsory military service
in Prussia. Arriving In the South. DR..
Baruch began the study of medicine In
Camden. S. c.. and attended lectures in
the Medical College of the State of
South Carolina. He won his degree In
1862.
The civil war was then in its second
year. and the young physician entered
the army of Gen. Robert E. Lee as a
surgeon. He was captured, but was ex-
changed promptly because OF the short
age of medical men In the opposing
forces. At the close of the war DR..
Baruch was surgeon in charge of the
general hospital at Townsville. N. c.
For sixteen years afterward Or.
Baruch practised medicine at Camden,
and in 1881 moved to this city, where
he became connected with the North
eastern Dispensary, treating diseases OF
the eye, ear and throat. Afterward he
became the gynecologist Of the institu-
ton. He became a member Of the medi-
cal staff of the Montefiore Home in 1884
and was elected president of the medical
board In 1892.
DR.. Baruch began his campaign for
free public baths in 1889. and, after a
long fight, in which his scheme was
attacked politically and otherwise. he
succeeded. In 1895. In having the State
Legislature enact q measure establish
ing baths in cities having population
exceeding $4,000. The Rivington street
bath, one of the first city baths built,
was renamed in 1917 In honor OF DR..
Baruch by order of the Board of Alder
men. Baths in Chicago and other cities
also have been named after the physi-
clan.
DR.. Baruch also was pioneer In the
pasteurization of milk for h jies. and
1t was he who interested Nathan Straus.
founder of free milk stations, in the
movement
During the war with Germany DIR. Ba-
ruch was very active where he could
serve best. He visited Camp Devens In
connection with hydrotherapeutic plant
Installed there he demonstrated at Camp
Upton the water treatment for pneu-
monia. and talked to the nurses he
watched the construction of shower baths
at Camp Tilden and lectured to the
physicians and nurses in the hospitals
on the vital Importance OF water. rest.
air, diet and exercise In the battle with
disease. He spent much time in Wash
ington, lecturing at the army and navy
hospitals and medical schools.
For many years DR.. Barucn was a
regular contributor of important medical
treatises in professional and popular
publications. He wrote many special
articles for THE SUN and THE New
YORK HERALD. DR.. Baruch WAS among
the earliest authorities to recognize the
Importance of vitamines. and his articles
cn them in THE Sun constituted. IL moi
the first, certainly one of the first dis
cussions of their properties carried on
In a non-technical publication. One of
his first literary works was Uses OF
Water in Modern Medicine and he
later wrote "rhe Principles and Prac-
tice of Hydrotherapy," which has been
translated into French and German.
A hospital was built at Camden. S. c.,
in 1913 I'm honor of DIR. Baruch. He
was q member of the New York Acad-
emy of Medicine and professor of hydro
therapy on the faculty OF the College OF
Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia
University
DR.. Baruch married Miss Isabel Wolfe
OF Winnsboro. S. c.. on November ~.
1867. Besides his widow he leaves four
sons, Bernard NJ. Baruch. former chair
man Of the War Industries Board and
economic expert, who represented the
United States at the Peace Conference
Hartwig ~ Baruch. a member of the
brokerage firm OF III. Hentz & Co. DR..
Herman Baruch. n stock broker and
member of the New York Stock Ex-
change, and Sailing w. Baruch. a MEM
ber Of the firm OF A. A. Housman & Co.
MGR MOONEY HI.