Medical Wards Now for N. Y. Alcoholics

The recognition of alcoholics as sick people in need of medical care is the basis of a new policy being put into effect in the city hospitals this month by order of Dr. Edward M. Bernecker, Commissioner of Hospitals for New York City. At the same time Dr. Bernecker has requested the seventy-seven voluntary hospitals in the city to admit alcoholic patients to their medical wards. "If the voluntary hospitals refuse," he said, "they will be asked to send alcoholics to the nearest general hospital of the Department of Hospitals in their district."