The Early Years
Bacteriological examinations at the State Hygienic Laboratory more than tripled between 1908 and 1911, largely for the diagnosis of diphtheria, tuberculosis and typhoid. This routine activity paled in comparison to an extraordinary charge the laboratory undertook from July to November, 1911 -- diagnosis and control of cholera at New York City's Quarantine Station, shown here.
Outbreaks of the disease in ports of origin of ships docking in the city necessitated an all-hands-on-deck response from the city and state Health Departments. Laboratory director William S. Magill, M.D., transferred all available equipment, supplies and personnel from Albany to the Quarantine Station. Some 27,000 passengers were examined during the period. On a single day in November, with a staff of four, 2,076 passengers were listed, examined, cultures made and diagnoses completed so that all were released from quarantine within 31 hours.
The Early Years...
- Introduction
- Antitoxin Laboratory - Yates Street, Albany, New York
- Manufacturing of the diphtheria antitoxin
- Examining the products for sterility and potency
- Production pipeline ended in the laboratory's shipping room
- Single site for all laboratory activities
- Recruiting personnel to staff the expanded laboratory
- New York City's Quarantine Station
- Wish for a farm was granted in May, 1913
- Media production facility
- Dr. Augustus B. Wadsworth and staff