New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-19

Deduct extraordinary Cly inspect 5il'-l to 1881
What is the cause of this increase can only be
discovered with accuracy by proper scientific
sanitary survey. We have no doubt, however that
it arises mainly from immoderate crowdng OF the
poorer class II is not unusual to attribute high
rate of mortality to immigration but what is this
but crowdng and that too, of such as are esteemed
healthy for the sick by law are detained many
miles from the city before they are allowed to en-.
ter. If there exists any doubt as to the cause, so
much greater reason there for an efficient survey
not only Of the City but Of the State. survey I'm.
der the provisions Of the State Registration law
would exhibit the ratio Of mortality in the different
sections Of the State and the causes Of these diff
ferences must be sscertained by proper investi-
cation made by a suitable commission appointed
for that purpose.
This is certainly ccndi:ioc shat6emands prompt
decided and energetic action TO sscertain the cause
and apply the remedies. Imperfect measures, with
out decided foundation, or without any clear object
are worse than useless.
Although vast Improvements have been made in
the dwellings streets and ventilation Of cities, and
although we have lot among us any Of those wretch
ed dens, crooked damp and dark passages, such
as still exist in some of the cities Of the Eastern
world. nor even anything that bears resemblance
to the close, dark ard dismal abodes of the poorer
classes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc yet there are
among us too many Of the hot beds OF disease,
where the seeds Of pestience rapidly take root aud
where their noxious products impart their deadly
poison TO the surrounding air. Crowds must always
exist in large cities, where space is always valua-
able But this should be the best reason why the
actual condition OF the mode Of living among the
most destitute should be known, for without this
knowledge the appropriate remedies can never be
applied.
Recent facts in Prisons and on ship. board show
what can be done TO obviate the evil effects of
necessary crowdDg, and although the mortality 10
them may still be reduced, yet if it remains as it
now is. it will, by comparison with former days be
perfect triumph for science in preventing the ex-
tension Of pestilence.
The average number Of people living in one room
among the very poor in our city is about six, the
extreme number lie twenty. The average number
occupying one house among this class of people is
aboutsixty. These are the permanent dwellers-
The occasional dodgers swell the number to an in
credible amount; the place known as the Old
Brewery at the Five Points" has often contained
as many as three hundred. In one room there have
been known to have been from two to four families
most Of these will take dodgers. Such an arrange.
ment prevails in oil parts Of the City where the ex.
remely poor reside.
Sleeping together in such numbers in one room
always produces feeling Of exhaustion and ply.
sich misery, aud where it can be done resort il
had to low priced alcoholic drinks for its temporary
relief. Hundreds Of the poorer class of lodging.
houses depend In part for their support on the in.
nebriating drinks that are sold to their inmates.
indeed most OF these houses have DO other custon,
ers. Although display of shop window with
bottles is made, IL Is not TO entice the accidental
wayfarer, but is in reality species Of sign ipdi.
eating the class of lodging.house, and is az well
understood by those for whom it is intended az a
and beggars place Of board always abounds ia
whisky and never is deficient in accommodations
whatever is the demand, and ia always filed, what
ever be the size of the house. The effects Of these
circumstances combined, in the event Of pestilence
may be conceived.
Children suffer the most from crowded mode o
living the children of the poor die in frighsu
numbers. the greatest number is from this cause
alone. In the year lsis the whole number o.
deaths from diseases was 1879, of which 6,s47
were children under five years. and in lsi9, deaths
220O6, children under years, s,o57.
In the Summer such state of living must be al
most nsupportable, and in the evening in some
Of tha noorest parts OF the civ the doors and win.
dows. and steps win literally swarm with people,
instinctively endeavorins to obtain little fresh
air We were never more struck with this in
stinctive appetite than by an occurrence which
happened few years since. As we W. return
ing home late night. we saw q man stretched
aaA NJ 6nll lanrth On a cart. and inst as we had