The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-26

dior and proprietor OF the New York Herald
The QuAKANTINE LAws-HKALTH OF THE Cry
In these days when hearts lost and at Sara
togs and the hogs uxEisse.in the sddles a, every
corner OF our streets-when every breeze at Long
Branch is redoent of health, and every puff OF air
in the city is loaded with noxious effiuvia-when
every young cheek at the "Springs" is more be-
wi,ching than ever, and every jaundiced counte-
nance here is avoided as the precincts OF a laza
reo, it is surely very excusabe in us, the faith
full guardians of the public veal, TO devote some
attention TO the consideration of those quarantine
regulations and municipal enactments, which are
10 ended TO preserve the public health.
The utility and necessity of quarantine laws,
have been subjects of controversy from their first
enactment by the Venetians, in The year l4S4, up
20 the present day. On the one hand, the mer-
chants and those whose business was on the ocean,
being properly opposed TO understandable delays and
restrictions in the prosecution OF their enter
prises, commended that the enforcement of
these laws was, in the majority of cases,
altogether unnecessary, and consequently unjust :;
whilst on the other hand, due regard for the pub
lie health, operating alike upon physicians and the
civil authorities, induced them to employ every
precaution against the introduction from foreign
ports of maladles supposed to be infectious, The
great diversity OF opinion on these points, was ow
ing chiefly 10 the imperfection OF medical science
Il was only alter medical science had felt the influ
ence of the Bsconian mode of conducting phio-
sophical Investigations, that clearer and more ac
curae notices respecting the doctrine of contagion,
and the propriety OF quarantine regulations began TO
prevail The narrow minded views OF former le-
gislators now begin 10 yield before the light OF
knowledge and sound philosophy, and we entertain
very little doubt that in short time the present
inconvenlent and oppressive system of quarantine,
VIII be altogether abolished.
II would be difficult 10 imagine any system better
calculated 10 interfere inuriously with the rights
aud interests of those engaged in commercial pur-
suits, aud the feelings and convenience oil passep-
gers IN our packet ships, than that in operation
al this port. IL is series of abuses from beginning
to end, Vessels coming from healthy ports, and
without single case OF sickness on board, are sub
jected TO the most unwarrantable detention in not
few cases. 10 the rreparable injury of those inter-
ested IL the cargo No better proof of the absurdi
ty and iniquty of this detention, can be offered
than that presented the fact that the cabin pas
sengers permitted TO go ashore and come TO the
city, the poor devils in the steerage and the crew
only, being subje to the rIgors OF this exceeding.
y wise and equitable system. The folly of subject
ing vessels TO rigid quarantine, because a few
cases of measles, smallpox, or other similar dis
eases happen be on board, is so obvious even to
non-Professional persons, that we do not deem it
proper 10 waste a line in its exposure,
Whilst we thus decidedly express our opinion that
the present quarantine laws are unne essary and
UNJUST and ought 10 be al once abolished, we
are not to be understood going far as the
city authorities in opposition to all regulations for
the preservation OF the public health We are really
not quite prepared TO go the length Of saying that
reeking with purifying garbage land swarm
ing with filthy hogs are highly conducive TO the pro-
motion and preservation OF the healthy condition of
our cities. We still retain some of the old fashion
ed prejudces in favor of cleanliness, and despite of
our heightened experience of the effects of the poll
cy pursued by the municipal authorities of this city,
we must confess that we much disposed
ever TO advocate the necessity and proprlely of
keeping the streets clean.
There is not city in the Union, which possesses
such admirable means of cleanliness as New York.
We trust there Is not another city in the Union so
filthy. But some OF the chiefest means which we
possess of cleansing our streets, are at present
amongst the most efficient agents for poluting the
atmosphere, and creating disease. Look al the
manner in which the Croton water is used -
Instead OF having the cutters first properly swept
the waer is poured into them, and mixing with
the garbage and refuse OF ten thousand Sitch-
ems, converts them speedily into pulrid mass of
reeklng filth, generating miasmata which carry dis
ease and death TO many dwelling. II the streets
were FIRST properly swept, then the employment OF
The alter in washing them, would be of incalcula-
bic service. Every who has inspected the bills
OF mortality, has observed that since the introduc.
ton of The Croon water, the number Of deaths has
considerably increased Has this increase arisen
from the OF the water for drinking and culinary
purposesl Most assuredly not; though some silly
and unref1ecting persons have so believed But we
have no hesitation in expressing convection that
a vast amount of sickness has been occasioned by
The creation OF noxious effluvia, in consequence
of the deluging the filthy streets with the water.
Again, and again, and again we have called on
the municipal authorities for some decisive action
respecting the cleansing of The streets and the adop-
ton OF other measures necessary for the preserva-
ton OF the health OF the city. We must continue
10 repeat the call until something be done. Wien
DR. Grscom's report appeared, we were In hopes
That some useful reforms would be made, and some
Iudicous and enlightened sanitary regulations adop-
ted aud enforced But he has been renewed from
Office he was well fitted to occupy, and all
nus schemes have been knocked on the head -
What farce it Is to talk about enforcing quaran-
tine laws al Staten Island and washing passengers
clothes, whilst such determined disposition ap.
pears TO exist the part OF the authorities to keep
the city in the best possible condition for becoming
receptacle OF the plague or the yellow fever
PROGRESS OF FoURIERIsM We perceive that a
great convention OF the disciples of Charles Fourier
this continent, Is to be held at Pittsburgh in the
course OF few months. The jealous and perse-
yerng manner in which Horace Greeley has advo-
Gated the cause, and his disnterested generosity
devoung the press under his control to its support
have OF course dlcLaied the wisdom and proprety OF