The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-02
THE Cuo1ERA.-The cholera. this season, an

THE CHoLERA.-The cholera this season, APP
pears to have developed itself spontaneously
in almost every quarter Of the North American
continent, including the West India islands. In
the city Of Mexico, in a population Of some
200 eco, the deaths are reported as having risen
to 200 per day. Mexico is in valley seven
thous and feet above the level of the sea-higher
than the loftiest mountain peak in the United
States east of the Mississippi. This altitude,
according to all our preconceived notions of the
cholera, should exempt the Mexican capital
from the scourge. But the city of Mexico is
on exceedingly filthy place, and is surrounded
by lakes-some salt and some fresh water-aud
the exhalations from the filthy shores Of these
lakes added to the filth of the city itself, will
account for the dreadful harvest there of King
Cholera. Jamaica is reported as undergoing
another defamation of its people by the pesti-
lence; but the hest Of its climate, and the dem
sity of its vegetation, the vegetarian, lazy, and
filthy habits of the population, and other tropi-
cal causes, will account for it. From New Or
leans to the waters ofthe Upper Mississippi, we
have reports of the cholera. It is at Cincinnati,
it is at Washington, it is at Baltimore, it is at
Philadelphia it is at Boston, it is here, it ap-
pears to be everywhere.
The pestilence is increasing with the heat of
the weather. There is not much of it yet here;
and the cases which have occurred have been
rather of an ordinary or sporadic than
epidemical character, almost entirely limit
ed to localities and subjects calculated
to invite the disease. But the fact that
something like cholera is here should
be sufficient to stir up our authorities and our
citizens to some extraordinary exertions to ex-
pei the unwelcomc invader of our island. Clean
illness is the surest and safest, and most agree
able preventive. In fact, there is no sother
protection against it. In the populous city of
London, the effect of well ordered sanitary
regulations has been, on several occasions, most
strikingly exhibited. In those districts which
were suffering the most severely, the introduce
ton of cleanliness, ventilation, and disinfecting
agents, produced an instantaneous mitigation
and reduction of the disease; while at the same
time in other districts, comparatively neglected,
the mortality augmented until the same RENE
dial agencies were applied. But our own expe-
rience in 1882 and 1849 is enough. We suffered
from both those visitations most dreadfully,
compared with Boston; from the simple fact, no
doubt that, compared with Boston, this city of
New York was dreadful dirty, as it has been
ever since, is now, and is likely to continue un-
til all parties concerned are thoroughly reused
to q sense of duty.
We call upon the Mayor, the Councils, and
all others in authority, to rouse themselves.
Action may save US; neglect may bring with it
fearful penalty. The few cases among
us should suffice for warning. Not only
should the streets be thoroughly cleaned
and sprinkled with disinfecting chemicals,
but our sanitary regulations should extend to
the inspection Of the interior of every filthy
locality, and of every reeking and overcrowded
rookery and emigrant clearinghouse in the
corporation. The docks, the market places
the abattoirs, the pig pens, the open lots where
garbage is deposited, the sinks, the sewers, the
breweries the rag depots Of the rag pickers, the
bone boiling establishments, should all be over
hauled and purified as far as possible. We are
besieged, and should proceed to fortify our
selves at every point, without delay.
Should the cholera indicate any general ten
denotes to increase, within this week, and should
our city fathers continue to neglect the vital
concerns of the community in the premises,
there will be no other alternative left than to
call mass meeting of our fellow-citizens, for
the purpose of adopting such protective and
! preventive measures as the exigency may de-
| mond Meantime nur onparol od u;ca 10 claon.
illness, ventilation, great caution concerning
unwholesome vegetables, green fruits, long ex-
posure and violent exercise in the sun. The
latent elements of the disease appear to be
everywhere but cleanliness, regular habits,
and temperate living, may be relied upon. If
our authorities and our citizens do their duty,
there is no necessity for alarm.