Letter on Sickness in College.

Prof. Bartlett has sent us the following letter on the recent and present cases of sickness in College. This letter should allay whatever fear there may be of any serious trouble.

26 Beck Hall, Apr. 13, '93To the Editors of the Crimson:

Dear Sirs:

Permit me to make, in the columns of your paper, a statement with regard to the health of the College students at the present time.

Exaggerated reports concerning the amount of illness have been circulated and have created a feeling of alarm among the students and have lead to anxious inquiries on the part of parents and guardians. There is no occasion for any anxiety whatever. There are but very few cases of serious illness and there is no greater amount of mild sickness than is usual in any New England community in the month of April.

Just before the Spring Recess there were about a score of students sick with measles. There are now five cases of that disease under treatment, all of which are in a very light form.

The throat-troubles, which were very prevalent in March and the early days of April, have a most entirely disappeared and I have no doubt that a few days of fine weather, inviting the students to outdoor sport and exercise, will restore the college community to its normal state of remarkably good health.

I take this opportunity to announce that Dr. Geo. W. Fitz, Instructor in Hygiene and Physiology, will continue to assist me in the supervision of cases of illness and injury. Dr. Fitz will, during the remainder of the year, make most of the morning visits, (excepting on Saturdays and Sundays) and will be glad to give such advice as may be desired with regard to ordinary questions of Hygiene or healthful modes of life.

The primary object of these visits is to discover as early as possible, any symptom of contagious disease with a view to the isolation of the patient. Every visit will, however, be made the occasion for an inspection of the sanitary condition of rooms and buildings occupied by students.

The reports and excuses of absence from recitations furnish the college officers with reasonably full and prompt information regarding the illness of members of the College or Scientific School; but we have no such source of information concerning the members of the Graduate School and of the Professional Schools. I shall, therefore, be glad if students in those Schools will kindly send me notice of any cases of illness among their fellow students.

It is desirable that no case of ailment, which confines a student to his room for more than a single day, should escape the scrutiny of the college.

I am Very Truly Yours,

GEO. A. BARTLETT.