Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-05-13
THE TUBERCULOSIS sANITARIUM SITE

1t is to be regretted that Metuchen has seen lit TO raise
so much objection to having the tuberculosis sanitarium
located on the tract which the county bought for the purpose
at Menlo Park. just how Metuchen will be injured by hav
ing acounty sanitarium in Raritan township is not plain.
This is the second site bought by the county for such an
J institution. The first site was in the southern part of the
I county in the open country far from any settlement OF any
! size. But it so happened that the brook which flowed
through the tract and drained the land, emptied into a
stream which finally reached the water supply OF the city OF
New Brunswick.
1t is we'll known that water is not a carrier of tubercu-
losis germs, but the very thought of the thing was repulsive
and New Brunswick succeeded in having the site abandoned.
But while there is no tuberculosis sanitarium on that tract,
it was turned over for use as a county workhouse. As q
matter of fact, there is more danger to New Brunswick under
existing conditions than there would have been with a tuber-
culosis sanitarium on the site. Those who are familiar with
such institutions know that the safest place as far as tuber-
culosis germs are concerned is right in the immediate
vicinity of a sanitarium because there they understand the
disease and are taking every precauion to prevent les
spread. On the other hand, in a county workhouse not only
are there no especial precautions being taken against disease
in spite of the fact that all kinds of characters are confined
there, but should typhoid break out water might easily carry
The germs into the New Brunswick water supply.
But there is no drainage problem to alarm Metuchen
at the present proposed site for the tuberculosis sanitarium.
The Institution is not even near enough to be considered a
part of the borough. In fact, it is as near Woodbridge
township as it is Metuchen and Perth Amboy is not so far
away.
The advantages for the institution itself in the proposed
location is apparent. While part of the tract is low, there
is also some of the highest ground in the county included
within the property. lnefe Is an ldedI water supply dHu inc
drainage is perfect. The trolley lines are most convenient
for those who desire to visit the patients, which is one of the
most important features in connection with a sanitarium.
The fact that practically the only objection comes from
Metuchen is significant. Metuchen has much to do Within
her own borders in the way of sanitation before she finds so
much fault with what is going on outside. AS was brought
out by one of the speakers at the recent hearing Metuchen,
if the people of the borough are so greatly concerned about
The health of the community they would not hesitate another
May before starting work on a sewer system which is the
very first requisite for healthful conditions in any munich
patty these days.
That Middlesex county ought to have a tuberculosis
sanitarium is freely admitted. The county is so built up that
it is impossible to find a location anywhere that is not close
to some town or city. When the freeholders did go into the
least populated section of the county for a site they found
objection because of the water supply for a city some dis
lance away. 1t is likely that if the present site was aban
sdoned for another location there would soon be objections
for one reason or another.
The Menlo Park site has a great deal to recommend it
and no real objection to the site has been advanced. 1t
is to be hoped that the State Board Of Health will give its
approval to the location and that the freeholderS will at once
proceed with the erection of the necessary buildings. There
has been enough delay in this matter where so many human
lives are at stake.