The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-21

such az are epldeMlcal, or engineered by NTH,
vitiateG air unwholesome water and bad diet,
and are infectious or contagious in their charac-
ter--are now ranged under the title of zymotics.
The amount OF mortality from this class of diseases
is very large. OF the total number Of deaths in
the United States forty per cent-almost one
half-are caused by diseases which are within the
control not OF medicine, but legislation. In our
own city, thirty five per cent of our deaths are
traced to Eymotic causes. What, then, are the
oovions dates which deyolve upon the public
authorities with such facts before their eyes?
And what are the necessary steps to be taken 10
avail ourselves of the advantages which scientific
research now places within our reach? A first
necessity il copious supply OF pure and whole
some water-not merely to those who can pay
for t. but those who can not. The purveyance
of water should not be the right of private COM
panies, who naturally restrict its free use, bat
sacred trust reposed in the represent atives Of
the people. Fortunately for New York this wise
policy has been engrafted on our system and It's
effects clearly foreseen by the sagacious men
who planned and carried out the introduction Of
the Croton river into oar city, is now producing
the best consequences.
Pure air and good ventilation are also indis-
pensable TO the health Of public towns. These
conditions are constantly overlooked; and unfor
tunately because there is no remedy but the
strong hand OF the law. Public attention has Of
late, under the influence Of legislative inquiry,
been turned to the subject Of tenement houses in
this city, and the condition of their Inmates A
&c dat c4el
laws to regulate the building Of houses, to define
and give 70 each man, woman and child a su'.-
cheney of space to breathe and live in, appear in
dispensably necessary; and as society has assumed
itself the right OF selfprotection against fires
and various other risks of life and property, with
out regard TO any counter individual interests, it
might go little further and see that houses and
cities we're built disease-proof.
Sewerage and paving are also valuable-inieed,
indispensable of sanitary preservation
The one carries off under ground the filth and
waste water which would otherwise accumulate
IN and permeate the soil-the other keeps down
the slnmoering genii Of Infection beneath US in
their caves. permits the streets TO he kept dry
anu clean, and largely adds to the convenience of
ltIOHot4on ana lhe ptoihoAou VI SnesA4ai duu
healthful exercise.
Vaccination, and that frequently is also i'm
portant as sanitary measure, which should be
enforced by law, as Il is IN some parts Of Europe
One OF the most curious things which medical
science is DOW investigating is the effect Of the
distub Dances Of the ground Of streets upon
tho public health. The physicians OF Buffalo
as well az those Of New Orleans, have for some
years suspected there was close connection be-
tween the opening OF street. bitches, lot eXcava-
ions and sewer drains. and he health of the re-
slents near these places. 1t is most satistac-
;orily proved that the opening Of made earth for
the purposes Of sewerage during the summer
season has been followed on several occasions, IN
Buffalo with the immediate and unusual sickness
and death Of many OF the inhabitants who lived
nearer. the opening. A fatal malaria seems to
have been set free, WITH deadly power. In the
city Of New York where, both on the east ard
ives. sides Of the island, vast quantities Of made
soil ere now occupied hy stores and dwellings
and through which all our terminating sewers
rass. there il no cessation in our works Of sever-
age. 60 where We viii, We see them in progress
10 season ar9 ont o. season. Along he lines OF
o'y railways where 80 many thousands ofpeople
pa.s daily, ,lese sewers are constantly being
opened. /; il not 50 much We fear. our sanitary
condition which originates 50 many Of these pro-
tiects. as tho extra pyoft Of black mall vhi-h
disobiiCing contractor knows how 70 levy upon
TIE annoyed companies. and which sometimes is
BIZ chief profit on bis job
il would be well Il our Board Of Health should
CAUSE a series Of observations TO be made c: the
number Of diseases and deaths which occur In
any Of the streets whore sewers are being con-
.ifucttd. 81 II would throw much light upon this
Interesting .ubjCct. and lead to some continuance
~ which the evil consequences night temporarily
he ayeFt,d. II i certainly pest doubt, that The
use Of disiniectants should go hand in hand with
the excavation Of sewers.
Ever since ls3s the siatcsU ~ ii England have
teen considering tie subject Of the health of
towns. Many admirable reports have from time
- time been laid before Parliament. Assoca-
lions called Health OF Town \ .oc atoms exist
composed Of distinguished pcrsonagrs. who have
raid great attention TO il ard published the re-
ats u their observations Some OF these ate
very curious. For example, il was found that
improved drainage Of only twenty streets 10 Man
chester diminished the annual mortality Of the
town more then twenty per cent. The commits
.ioncrs appointed by the Queen, ia 1873, have
since that period published number Of valuable
reports on the sanitary condition Of the TOW. Q
ard populous districts Of England and Vale;
accompanied by masses Of evidence and the re-
sults Of personal examinations Of more than fly
towns. The latest We have seen recommends no
loss than thirty distinct propositions for tic action
q The British legislature, most Of which We be
lieye have been adopted. We regret that want
Of space prevents Us rom considering this whole
subject at The length lite magnitude demands.
The city Of New York Is deeply interested in the