The New York herald., 1850-06-07

~, -" ruHLlo HEALrH OF THE C,1Y-A swKss
<SNs There arr few great cities in the world
Mvored like New York city, with tn. means of
health. The sea rakes the whole length of the
city at one extremity; and on each side, two great
rivers pour broadsides of rich oxygenated breezes
into her streets. Yet there are sufficient at
work 10 ere ate alarm for the public he ath this
present summer Before disease smites dowa.
before some epidemic commences among us, We
have seen one lately at X 10 de Janero, il s yet tins
to he wise, and it is the peculiar province Of the
municipal government to attend to this important
matter.
Among the many local causes eminently calcn-
lated generate disrsse in the city, we will men
lon few only There a variety .of hiihy,
dirty Places about town, and whole streets, in some
nsighborhoods. which are in fact nothing but pro-
louea,ons of dunghills. These places wholly
unknown TO those who promenade Broadway and
live in healthy, fashionable quarters; but they ex-
.t and ought to be known 10 the city authorities.
In other parts of the city are TO he seen pools of
staenant left, if expressly to generate dis
case; while in ether spots streets ere beng filled
up with putIid substances and corrupt matter,
which send up a horrid efiuvia and wh.n
houses are built upon such found iiion the exh la
items arising will make the whole place AMI neigh
hoihood sicky for h.lf a century 10 come An
Other cause Of disease arises from the vast body
OF poor sicky emigrants arriving daily in this city,
TO amount equal an average, 10 500 per
diem. Then again, look at the tenemen,s hlllt for
persons of limited means, where the bed room il
made merely large enough TO contain a smt bed
stead. end is in fact nothing but close cupboard !!
Into such cupboards women and children are night
ly crowded, and the wonder is they live, not that
they die. We might go on-but enough at
present.
Now, when these and other causes are all cons-
dered-causes of pestilence and death, strong and
constant in their action, nullifying all the advan
tages enjoy by our localion-the wonder will
be that we should escape the ravages of epidemic
diseases These uses are all aboring to produce
Effects those effects which inevitably follow these
causes -and there is nothing to counteract them,
no measures of relief adopted, municipal
laws regulate the dwellings of the poor, filth and
crime seem TO have perfect license, cupidity preys
unchecked upon the wants of the crowd, and builds
charDal houses for them to die in they, in the
meantime, paying well for the accommodation.
Ought not the Corporation to do something for
the sake of the million of lives left to their govern
ment for protection After cold damp spring,
summer Of fearful heat il, no doubt, coming rpcn
us, such as have annually 10 expect for a month
or two; therefore we think il ghy necessary that
the Corporation should take time by the forelock,
and prevent much disease, which, when il arrives, it
will be too late TO fight against Now is the time.
Neglect OF this matter 10 misunderstanding ought
te be done; and if it was being done, or if we saw
a wish to do il, we should be spared the necessity
Of making this solemn warning and appeal.