New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-11

..-;rt nspyp foes Of public and psirs s,s kaess,
49, 10 q; .S.ollings OF avery isrse nnmoef ~ vsi
;.Sshitsrt particularly the c"oDl hoeses 80 cGne'J
ihexesr ~snents, the cellars, una oieIS ""''N a'o
Lsol IN most dsgustngly filthy condition. IL,
n uo,bifc agencies in cities are OF TWO klads
de-. wing sctIou, and those rith'I the dwell
ms In the frst are included emsnsnoSs rom e1-
p~ed and decayiog oO,msl S5by stre9s fou
= ID. ohstructed sewers cesspools, prv'es &c the
e. class includes crowded workshops dorm'torles
II . - IDLY rooms, deficient ven
,Sssn, ., AIS, cellar and alley resi-
80. ..,,,. walls, deficient supplies OF
obsl ilcted c. y emanstions from burning
ins, and lsisps u ,&HetioDs Of living bodies, and
numerous othtrs.
classes Of causes is ncoubtsdy tru', aud the public
s cannot be- too loudly red 10 dem and for their
correction but il ia conceded by all medical authority
ts the indoor causes ofdisease far more pOteatia
thoppb more overlooked aud ubbeeC ed aud of the
most imy ortsut duties OF health police should be the
sfeady uniform and tborOus ID ctifcatiOn OF them
far a. they could possibly be reached. There should
be cessation Of efforts TO cleanse the outside of our
6omciary cups and patters but the inside should re-
se larger share OF attention Il has yet been
given it. To oh ain this great desderatum there ap
pears but one way ard that Is to pare all The dwell
rgs OF ths city unceT the insJeCuOn OF competent OIL
GERS who n all have power to enforce Inc ~ d0Hi'
c,i,ary ceaRiiness. For this purpo,e those places
known or cted 10 be Kept usually in improper con-
dtiCn should be visited periodically, say once IN one
two, or three months. The law should be 80 arranged
70 axe tie clear sug bear upon the OW,eT or lessee
not upon tie tenant directly, who IA generally so
poer 10 be unable TO perform the necessary purga-
lion ard Iec;hcatOn Of the premises
In cIusiOn let review The subject with the PIC
tuIe before Us Of a we-orgaDized, thoroughly sp-
pointed Of active dical men, ole ID each ward
with an energetic head all &C ing ~ preventive san
iisry police, inquire what would be the pra;hc1
gain over The present arrangement
lat. You would have the stimulus OF professional
pride and hor or urging each member 10 labor for repu
iaiion and advancement There a lone whatever nov
in the department.
%. Al tho meetings OF the corps, which would be
frequent the subject b. gieDe would undergo con
tr us scu sion aud ipvest alton, and light would be
elected .rtm each OF the tweDtyih'ee bodies compos
ing Oursanitary syet IN lgIoaLceo 1t Is tue RUE, ana
Lot tho exception at present 80
3D. The actual CONDITION Of the public health OF the
city sad Of every minute section "f IT, woud De ire-
GueLtly ard regularly reported by men WHO f9iy IN
de- stand the subject and have duect personal lner
est in il. Such reports are never maze now.
4 la times Of threatened and REVEALING pestence,
the mayor aud other municipal au horties would mud
In this medical staff strength Of counsel and profes
siopal authority, upeqused 10y any heretofore known
5th. The GspeDsary poysician being always the
first called in OF sickness IN those places ~here
peettntinl diseases first appear, the warning note
would fist be heard by him, and es a pubic officer,
btfere the alarm is spread he would put 10 operaoo
sansry measures, and thereby perm ps suppress tae
fame and prevent conhsgratioD. Now whole neigh
borhoods may be alarmed ere the health warden is
warned. go
9th. A sanitary Police on this plan would constitute
sn efficient corps of heohh missionaries. Some OF
their time might be prota5ly devoted to the dSsemin-
alton among the poor by tracts and other methods Of
knowledge Of the laws of health, and the value OF
pure air, W initiation cleal liness temperance, &c.
Thee, Mr. Mayor, my views of the wants of this
metropolis in i's health department. They are the re-
suite Of long reflection and of considerable personal
expereI in former years. both as city inspector and
ditptBsary ply stefan, when lear ed something of the
deeots Of both institutions and of their capabilities for
greater good Though fear to have weared you by
he length Of my communication am glad of the OPP
poruIity oifertd by your letter OF inquiry OF laying
these suggestions bt fore the city authorities, and take
nv leave Of the subject with the iteration of the great
principle the result of sound philosophy confirmed by
expeneDce ard which is the polar star of all sanitary
reform that if allos ed free course "pregcRtice medt
"cine sc effect infinitely for mankind than ~
"c drugs qcch hare get been discovered, and al the
"crotice skN erer ererted for The alteration Of dis
ease"
With sentiments Of regard, am 49, . .-..
NOuI fellow. citizen, JNO H. ORlSCOM
Ma. 123 East BI0ddray, Oct 3,lt5h
1854 the number Of patients treated b. the dpeusay
physicians WA 98 Of whom 20 56B yisi ed at their
Ia ellrGs.