Year: 1870

THE DISEASE on GOVERNORS ISLAND-THE
Patients REMOVED TO THE WEST BANK
HOsPITAL-ACTION OF THE BOARD OF
HEALTH.


A few days ago the Board of Health became
alarmed at the continuance OF yellow fever on the east
side OF Governors Island. and Notwithstanding the
report OF Sanitary superintendent Morris that the
disease was not yellow fever, the Board concluded to
take the testimony OF other physicians. Dr. Thomas
Coman the Street Cleaning Inspector OF the Board OF
Health had reported to the Board soon after the deaths
OF certain persons in Essex-s, about the middle OF
September his belief that the disease was yellow fever
modified by the temperate climate. lie hsd ques,
ton the physicians who uesIaeak attended, MG ibe
Esse tenement, who died at the Bellevue Hospital
fhe symptoms that the disease yellow fever. He
also visited Governors Island and, ON inspecting the
cases there, his belief was more fully confirmed Dr
Morris and the other physicians Of the Board of Health
convinced, however, that the disease was not yell


on september 90 Dr. Morris made his report on the
subject to the Board OF Health The close OF that report


concerning the fatal which have occurred in
Influences Governors Island which had the
IN Ss % e have been Kept anG f No subsequent
e e ,b ssse pen, pn S9ng er @ and deaths @ city Various
opinions have been expressed BY those 81 & es Te Profession To e
ing it masal bilious and Others as pecon remnt and tps9s
beyond doubt that not yellow ie'eF or disease Of Contiguous


In consequence OF the belief of he Board that the
Sanitary superintendent might have been mistaken with



fever were reported this city, Dr. Mott OF the In
spectors OF the Board OF Health who IN consequence OF
the SOUTH fully conyersant with all its symptoms was
dispatched to Governors Island To report lie made
thorough examination Of the In the hospital, ana
the lighter in the quarters OF the soldiers and their
families Some Of the worst eases were extremely well
few cases. eyen there was black yOmit


Dr. Mott made his report to the Board m secret session
that unless extreme measures were taken 10 quarantine
the island there great danger that II woud become
an nj dpcimatc
Importance OF the information and fearful that the IN
alarmed should the truth be told the members OF the
Board resolved that their proceedings should DE kept
Of the Board on Thursday, it resolved that DR..
Carnochan Health Officer OF ,S the RoT, ana G6mmF 1F
OF the Board Of Health be requested 10 visit Govern
ors Island, and make full inspection Of the same They
also reported that the disease wellmarked yellow
fever that there then - under treatment,
Of these dying from black vomit. There had been
the post the Rev Mr. Page In every fatal case death
had occurred the fourth day after the patient was at
tackled This also the with those who had died
In Bellevue Hospital


since the commencement OF the disease Governors
Island Aug H. there has been 80 cases, and OF these 20
had died On receiving this intelligence the Board OF
Health passed resolution empowering Commissioner
Ceccarin Health Officer Carnochan, and city Sanitary
superintendent Morris TO take all necessary meas
nres Tor the removal TO Quarantine OF th3se r whP
commanding the Department OF the East was consulted
OF the inhabitants OF this city and the remainder Ofthe
rson on Governors island at gave his consento the
removal OF the SICK 10 the West Bank Hospital.


Their removal on Friday prevented by the heavy
storm. On Saturday, however, all removed to the
Quarantine Hospital at West Bank and placed in com
Portable quarters Several convalescent soldiers have
been detailed by Gen Mcneil commandant OF Governors
Island, To act as nurses and attendants.


Now that the infection has been removed the Board OF
Health are Of the opinion that there ia further danger
OF an epidemic OF the disease Some OF the physicians OF
the Board OF Health Dr. Morris among the number are
still OF the opinion that there has been any danger
OF the disease becoming epidemic They point con
haton OF this fact TO the popularity that the west side
OF Governors Island Il entirely free from the disease.
"a thp dnf tha has
been occasoned by the hlthy condition OF the
" "campwomens quarters" range of low
one-store and basement houses, about 100
feet from Buttermk Channel They instance another
proof the fact that the who died In this city from
yellow fever had attended the wake OF soldier who had
died on Governors Island Of the disease and that they
remained there two nights sleeping In the infected quar-
ters and although they remained in their apartments in
the Essex tenement for three days after they at


lacked before being sent to Bellevue Hospital still the
fever was not communicated to of their ellOwten
sts IL very apparent that there has been serious
disagreement among the physicians Of the Board Of
Health relative TO the disease