The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-28

laws were enacted aud enforced against the trade
in poisons. II is bad enough to have diluted poi
sons dealt out in the corner groceries and from
the milk wagons That is what the doctors cali
chronic, aud we fear the term is too we'll applied;
but when it comes to the rapid work arsenic and
strychnibe, then indeed there is cause for alarm.
Every drug shop should be regarded with AZ
much horror as hired bravo or cutthroat; for in
one case it is paying literally for the use Of the
stiletto, against which strong man may guard,
while in the other it is only necessary to invest
few cents in a vulgar poison, against which no
strength or watchfulness can avail.
A couple Of years ago the community was
thrown into CONSERVATION by the accounts Of the
mysterious sickness which caused the National
Hotel at Washington to be deserted and closed
up, and which sent to premature graves many
victims. The doctors and learned puudits held
consultations, and with grave stupidity ascribed
the malady to imperfect sewerage; but there is
little doubt that it was the result of arsenical
poison, by which some vulgar underliug sought to
crafty his malice in running the business Of the
house. Arsenic is cheap, and unfortunately can
be had at every apothecary's store with as little
difficulty as glauber salts.
A remarkable instance of the recklessness with
which poisons are vended was exposed few days
since in Philadelphia. 1t was the case of
One unfortunate, weary Of breath,
who went to a drug store and asked for GER
tain quantity of strychnine. 1t was handed to
her without scruple; and as the dainty clerk
opened his money drawer to drop in it the price
of blood, he remarked, casually, that there was
enough poison in that little package to kill three
men. els there ~ said the wretched girl +; al
mean to take it all myself" And the clerk
smirked and smiled, and the poor girl went her
way-to the grave Of suicide
Our criminal court has just spent three weeks
in convicting man of the murder of his wife, in
this city, by poisoning and in that case, it ap-
peared by the evidence, that the arsenic was sold
to him over the counter as freely as if it had been
sugar.
In Albany there was another capital convic-
ton few weeks ago-the case of Mrs. Hartung
for the murder of her husband. In that case the
poisoning was effected by doses of phosphorus
not because arsenic could not have been procured
just as readily, but because the murderess, when
she went to the drug store, could not remember
the English for arsenic-she being German and
not well acquainted with our language. But the
phosphorus did the work just as surely.
A week or two ago young divine, candi-
date for the ministry in New Jersey, being desi-
rous of getting rid of the wife whom he had wed
but six months before, that he might crafty his
passion in another quarter, had recourse to the
same vulgar remedy, and administered arsenic
in dose of salts. At least he is charged with
that offence. The arsenic, at all events, was ad-
ministered and did its work of death.
And now, one Of our city Coroners is engaged
the investigation of a wholesale case of poi
soning, whereby the lives of whole household,
including boarders, were endangered, and where
already two deaths have resulted. And in this
case the only apparent cause for the diabolical
crime is, that the cook who is charged with it,
was not paid her wages, and was bound to have
satisfaction.
Thus it is that while the lives of respectable
citizens are in peril in the streets of our city
from the knives of lawless ruffans, who 90 prowl-
ing about without fear of the police, there is as
little security for them in the privacy of their
own homes, where lewd spouse or malicious
domestic may, with the utmost facility, poison
their food. OF what use are governments or
laws if they cannot afford reasonable amount
Of protection for life? And is it to be always
thus? If not, some efficient remedy should be
applied, and that Immediately.
The QUARANTINE QUEsTroN.-The bill for the
removal Of Quarantine, which passed the Assem-
bly, on Friday, and which will probably be adopted
by the Senate during the week, makes no provision
whatever for the accommodation of yellow fever
patients, infected cargoes or for the anchorage of
ships arriving with sickness actually on board.
If this bill should become law there can be no
quarantine establishment either on Staten Island
or Long Island, and therefore, for this summer at
least, no quarantine at ALL and no protection
from contagious diseases. Though we are OPP
posed to complicated and perplexing system of
quarantine, we are not prepared to see this city
exposed to the dangers of yellow fever, cholera,
or smallpox spreading throughout the commu.
nifty, for want of the necessary precauton to keep
infected vessels at proper distance. AS matters
now look we will be subject to this disaster in
the coming hot season. This is matter of grave
Importance, which cannot be viewed with in
difference by any class Should q vessel arrive
here from any port where contagious disease is
prevalent all will be confusion as to her dispo-
sal The only quarantine we shall have will
exist in the discretion and judgment of the
Health Officer, and it seriously behooves Cover
mol Morgan to appoint to that position person
competent and experienced, to deal with such an
emergency, If 1t should unfortunately arise.
The prospects Of a healthy summer look bad
enough in view Of the filthy condition of the
city and IL will be too Ind &c enidann;na aro 4o