The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-24
REPORT OF TaE CITY INSPECTOR.
Twepty-one Thousand Deaths in 1859 -inl-
proved Sanitary Condition OF the City
Several Reforms Proposed,
&C., H., kc'
CIR ISsPRCIoR's DEPARTMENT. !
NEW YORK, Jan. %, 1850.

ClrY IvsPR~roR's DEPARTMENT.
NEW YORK, Jan. 2i 1850.
TO ras HONORABLE uE COMMON couNcL OF rnE CRY oT
New YORK
CyyrrrgRsIn coufo nifty with the reqirem MS OF the
ordinance organizing the Department Of ths Municipal
government Of the City OF New York;, have the honor
herewith to transmit annual report OF this department
for the year 1852 containing will be found in tables
annexed the number of deaths in the city the diseases
nativity color and ages, during that year also the
r,her Of births and marriages reported to this depart
ment for the same period
Attached is report from the register Of records aud
statistics Of this department
In few days shall have the further honor Of trans
hitting to YOUR body the result of the sanitary surveys
made under the direction Of this department
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL E. DELAvAN, City Inspector
REPORT.
The number OF deaths from various causes reported to
This Office during the year 1859 81 6i5 improve
men, over the preceding year of $685. notwithstanding the
largo increase 10 our population from births aud immigra
lion This fatering condition OF the public health may
in great measure be attributed to the vigilance used by
this department abang and removing NUS OF long
standing by strict attention to the sanitary wants and
necessities Of the city, as, for instance the month on
September last viii show per tables annexed, less
number Of deaths than those recorded during the same
-, -, nc last quarter OF a century, thus Demon
tUatirF tue p1hNtna~s.. . ,.--
the mortality Of the city When compared with the cities
OF Europe and taking into account the extent OF our
foreign immigration and the sanitary condition OF those
arriving here, New York city at this day lay just
claim the privilege OF being numbered with those OF the
healthy OF the world. This is abundantly confirmed
by the statistical records of those cities While these
suits offer for congratuaton, the suggestion
be allowed that whatever Of additional Improvement the
public health is to with will depend in great
sure upon the support received by this departmental your
hands.
Our natural sanitary advantages, Gequaled certain
y not surpassed by those Of city the continent Of
Europe, and there just why Nex York should
continue any longer to occupy inferior position,
sanitary point of view, with all these advantages
mand Let us glance at her situation. The city opens
upon fine bay, with outlet TO the On either
side skred by noble rivers, with the prospect tina. in
very years the whole island will be open IA riga
ton With our Croton water recommending itself for its
wholesome qualities and supply to every want with fine
subsra'am Cor drainage our low lands filing up by the
aid OF capital and ha oitaons moro pure circulation Of
sea air by the wdenipgs, openings and connection from
sanitary changes daily making promise largely for
the future, and confirm the opinion already expressed
that New York has within herself every essenti, element
for the Improvement and preservation OF the public
health She central to Europe, Asia and Africa as we'll
as to the American continent she is the natural central
point Of communication between California aud Australia
with Europe and by her steadily increasing population and
the enterprise Of her people, New York city Is destined at
very distant day to stand without rival by becoming
the recognized centre Of commerce. trade and health.
CLEANING.
impossible 10 estimate the importance OF clean
streets TO the sanitary condition of the city The notice
able decrease 10 the number of deaths in the city as
shown by the weekly reports Of this department, during
the last Six months when compared with those OF the
previous year, the bes, illustration CT this To aid
reforms which have been undertaken by this depart,
meut, highly necessary that the work of cleaning
streets should be performed at night and completed be-
fore six O'Clock in the morning in summer and seven
o'clock : a
OF the principal cities OF Europe, and found TO work
With efficiency and 70 give sasa,io to The authorities
TO support which we have high medical auhority-dc-
cariJg the Inhalation OF street dust predis posing
cause 10 lung and bronchial affections There be-
slices other objections to longer continuance o. the
present stem u the fret place the swecpers and carts
greatly ircommosc the free travel OF the streets which
they st work and which, for this reason cannot be
efficiently perormed and again the clouds OF dust which
the sweeping necessarily gives rise 10 is source Of much
annoy and complaint to propretos Of stores whose
gcocs net unTequenty deterorate in value from Injuries
sous bsi would recommend the disconnGance Of DAY
street ceaaing,'oy substituting in its place the plan
proposed tt,. ,..,,, .,s
tequeut cleaning Of streets than present Broadway
should be swept six times week, the leading
oaled-ooI times and the remainder at least three times
week faithful observance OF this rule would not only
be preventive Of dea2e, but The score OF economy
in the end would prove saving OF the public money
The custom Of watering the streets now in before
sweeping IS also loudly complained against by the medi
cal faculty injurious TO the public health The effect Of
water upon decayng matter, especially during the
hea; Of sumner, Is to produce decomposition and 10
create miasma, promoter OF disease. The night
system Of street cleaning would remedy this evil
BELGIAN AND Russ PAYMENTS.
No nconsderable difficulty encountered IN cleaning
streets which paved with cobbte stones Slch streets
are almost constantly ont Of repair defy The energies
q man TO keep clean and healthy condition BESIDES,
this pavement Ia wholly suited the wants IL moi the
actual necessities Of the city and should be Mt ONCE
seeded by the Belgian or Russ pavement Both on ,ho
score Of economy and the public health this change s
recommended.
CARRIAGE GARBAGE BOXES
COPY Of ordinance for the eilccua PROFESSION
OF garbage boxes was sent for approval 10 the late Com
Courcil by the Undersigned but Tor reasons no,
known 10 him remained Enacted upon. Your attention
respectfully directed to the scbiec.
II Is therein recommended that the owners NJ enerAn,
buildings be compelled, under penalty, 70 furnish each
tenement building garbage box or such szs and con
strucon may DO approved OF by the City aspe stor
A walk through any of the public Streets wherc sich
buildings to be found will show the necessity this
la almost every instance whore ue garbags
has been deposited in boxes barrels provided for ts
reception they asr visited by the professional
chiouer or picker and their contents scattered uon
the walk, where. in short time, the matter (rom EXPO
sure becomes ermented aud putrtt, endar sering tn
beah OK the ncighborhood. The ordnance n csestou
mas Tor one OF its objects the prevention this abuse,
feQuel. complaints are received at this odce against
parues v.oang the ordinance by throwing garbage into
the streets in every instance pary offending has been
sought tor and when found handed oyer 10 the proper
authorities FOR punishment b.; this nuisance 50 Jar from
aoatag largely on the increase In may instances
The party Offending when brought bsros tha m -strase
having charge OF the complaint, Is permitted 10 esc,n,
with no other punishment than n s,ch reprn,rd nr ,
poinna! hac Thus the ordinances OF the city b,com IN
ciee' lead letter, through the indifference aud naen
Ton O. these elected enforce thsn while the blame /.
thrown upon the City Inspector, who has already per
for mod his cu.y. -
The poiite arc instructed TO report every sah case Of
oru'haca viNI'or coming TO their notice 10 the proper
hA.a.- ~ D.. : -. z..1c2- .....s.-a,!, Al. Il.