New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-03-08

From these statistics it appears, as stated by
Dr. GR1scoM in his appended remarks, that of the
first class of diseases, The Epidemic, Endemic or
Contag ious, there has been an increase of about
100 over the preceding years mortality, though of
the individuals of the class some show an increase
aud others a elimination. Measles give little more
than one half Small Pex As less Scarlet Fever
so more; Whooping Cough and Typhus Fever an
Increase, and Erysipelas, Diarrhra and Dyssatery
dintinution 80
10 Den,hs By aiesasae of sha nervous system are
about equal te those of last year.
Deaths by diseases of the respiratory organs
were 232 less thanh le4l. ofsconsumpf there
died,
White Males ........sIa colosed Male; ss
Females. SOS Females sss
giving total of 1899, proportion to the whola4
number of deaths of to 6,1l4 Of thess only
719 were natives of the United States. In esti-
mating the relative heal,hiuess of Ncw-York when
compared with other cities, great allowances arc
10 be made We have here vastly more foreigners,
coming hither poor sick and often times with IA
tai diseases already rooted in their systems, and
forced by their poverty their arrival to live the
dampest cellars, and upon the poorest food OF any
norton of our People. The climate, therefore,
must not be held responsible for all the deaths by
consumption that occur in the city. DR.. GRIscoM
thinks that a deduction of 339 in consideration of
these circumstances would be just allowance:
and this would give tie proportion of l to 5.I3o
as that OF those who die BY consumption compared
with deaths from all diseases, greater exception
than is given either to Philadelphia or Boston,
where the proportions are as / to LOB, and to
6,1G5 respectively.
DR.. GR1scoM, after presenting these facts,
attention to an exposition of some of the causes
which tend to promote unhealthy state OF the
atmosphere.
The first that he mentions is the crordea con
dition, Nth insufficient ventilation, OF great
num5er of the Dwellings, Of the city The prac-
tce of keeping schools for the young in the under
ground Easements Of dwellings and churches, OF
in rooms without means of ventilation, ne believes
to be fruitful source Of disease. The influences
of bad atmosphere also very marked among
the residents of houses occupied by several tami-
lies in each room-especially when any among
Them are sick. Another very potent cause OF as
ease is the residence of considerable part OF the
nopuIation of the city in cellars and easements
and in courts and alleys, The number OF cellars
inhabited is 1859 and their residents amount to
1e6. 1897 courts and rear buildlsgs are occu-
MED BIZ C .6lS families. Instances are gwen IN
which cellars and courts are Inhabited by from 81
70 100 persons, and partially filled with water
during q portion of the year. DR.. G. estimates
,ba, there are at least 1868 jewellers ia alleys,
courts and cellars, from many of which all circu'a-
iop Of air is cut off. The poverty, hlth' desehe-
rate morals, dampness and general wre'cheaness
i, which these persons live tearfully increase the
rsvases of disease among them. Many of these
,on.-,ents are overcrowded, and thousand iniiu-
.ncss combine to render their inhabitants seuaild'
,r,o,a, and destitute Of all self-resPect and re-
gard for their persons and health, DR.. u. tninks
that due regard for the health OF the residents
would Justify the Common Council in prohi0ltins
cellars as dwellings in requiring the owner OF
lessee to keep the premises clean, and III putting
s,op ia the practice OF crowding so many hua.a,
beings into such limited spaces as we often ma
in them. Blocks of substantial buildings WHICH
sbould be erected with direct reference to tue
wants of this portion of our population ne 0ene'es