The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-11

course Of the HERALD on this, az On ali other
subjects, 10 open and above board and we may
claim for it that, but for It's early attention to
the condition Of the streets of this city and its
exposure of the localities where the most shame
full nuisances existed untouched, under the very
noses Of the authorities, nothing would have
been done for the security of the public health
We have still duty to perform, no matter how
unpleasant and unpalatable may be the conse-
quences to those who, with utter heartlessness
would risk the depopulation of the city rather
than not get their goods through, and in their
shops for sale. Private interests must, however
occasionally yield to public necessities and
though sugars are high and rags scarce, we cam
not afford to buy them just now at the cost Of
pestilence.
We notice that at the present session Of the
New York Academy of Medicine, discussion
came up as to the contagious or non-contagious
character Of the yellow fever. This question,
opprobrima medicuum is likely to continue I'M
settled, since there is much to be aid on both
sides But to contend that fevci is not conta-
gious because many exposed to its influence es-
cape untouched, is sheer nonsense. No one de-
MES that smallpox is contagious; yet the physi-
clans. attendants and visiters of the infected
generally escape. The itch can be communicate
ed, but every body does not catch it. II is the
order and wisdom of Providence, that some con-
situations and temperaments are safe from iniec-
tious diseases, or the world would come TO an
end hundred thousand people died Of the
plague in London, but hundreds OF thousands
more escaped it altogether. 1t is very certain that
yellow fever has never prevailed in this city with
ont being brought here in vessels from unhealthy
ports. 1t is the part Of common sense, there
fore. to look at it as communicable under certain
conditions of the atmosphere, rendered impure
either by an intense and moist heat, or by down.
right neglect and filthness. Ii is certain that by
placing barriers in time to its progress, it may
actually bc confined within certain limits. This
has been successfully accomplished both in this
city and Baltimore
II appears from the statement OF d.. Clark,
made at the meeting Of the Academy, that,
In l7sl the first case known yellow fever occurred
IN thin city, and eighty deaths the result. In 81
there was considerable sickness In 1895 there was
general epidemic in various parts OF the town, bat limited
70 the borders OF The two rivers ~ 80 there wss ever
east to the north side and even in Broadway, where il
bad never befcre appeared but there was MID with
few mortal The total number OF deaths in toa
year 2,ls0. The number was more than th:-t
was 3,ei5 In 1893 il was as malignant as before eu,
account OF the taken the deaths we're less than
before Deaths occurrsd every year I'LL lsOj, when the
number amounted TO COO or 700, which Is the largest
number during this century. form OF rem'tteEt fever
ocsuIred at the time. From this period Up TO the
present time 1so is the total number Of deaths from vel
low fever ginoting this city. During this time, his
disease has been epidemic in Brooklyn, Jersey City,
Boston, &c No occurred in this city. The results
of fhesc Yfars are folloYs