The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-10


of the Legislature.
CAUSES OF EXCESSIVE MORTALITY IN New
YORK AND BR0OKLYE-THE EXCESS CHIEFLY
AMONG CHnDREN.-There is no city on this con-
tinent naturally more healthy than the city of
New York. One cause of mortality In it is its
nlthy condition. The city of Brooklyn is pos
sessed of many natural advantages for health.
1t is built on undulating ground, for the most
part at considerable level above the sea; 1t
has very pure water, great facilities for drain
age, and not thickly populated in proportion
to its area. Yet the mortality in it is very high
According to the census just completed the
population is 266,674, and from the records in
the Department of the Health Officer the deaths
appear to be 6,629, or about one in forty, dur
ing the last year. This bill of mortality is too
large from any apparent causes, and inquiry
has, therefore, been instituted to ascertain the
secret sources Of excessive disease and death,
and these apply equally to New York and
Brooklyn.
The Health Officer, DR.. Jones, in an able re-
port, shows that every passenger ship arriving at
this port brings from six to twenty females who
are enceinte, and without support for themselves,
they being sent from home to hide their ap-
preaching shame Others leave home virtuous,
but land upon our shores pregnant, to become
inmates of brothels or a charge to the coun-
try. Another cause is that many women ma
tives of the country, do not wish to have chill
dren, and in order to prevent it resort to vio-
lent means. Pills are largely used for the
purpose, and extensively advertised in dis
guise Operations are resorted to by numbers
of women, some Of whom are from the country,
who move in all ranks of society, many of
whom pay heavy penalty for their folly,
sometimes becoming invalids for life, and some
times FORGETTING life itself.
Another source of mortality is the neglect of
vaccination. In some countries it is compul-
sorry. In England and the United States it is
voluntary, and therefore frequently neglected.
In Great Britain and Ireland the mortality
from smallpox is from sixteen to sixty in
every thousand deaths. In Sweden, parts of
Germany, and parts Of Italy, where vaccina-
ton is compulsory, the mortality is from two
to six in every thousand deaths. In Brooklyn,
in 1859, out Of every thousand deaths there
were eighteen from smallpox. In those not
vaccinated, and seized with smallpox, the
deaths are found to vary from fifteen to sixty
in every hundred cases; where the persons
have been vaccinated, the deaths are from one
to seven in hundred, and where the vaccina-
ton has been perfectly performed, as shown
by the cicatrices, the mortality is found to be
uniformly reduced to less than one in every
two hundred cases. There ought to be, there
fore, compulsory law for vaccination, under
competent medical supervision.
But the greatest cause of mortality is the
general treatment of children. Most of the
children who die under one year of age are the
these of foreigners recently arrived. Such
have to endure the evil effects of the acclima.
ton of the parents. The indiscretion of
mothers exposing their infants to the too bright
sunlight is another cause of disease. Coming
from countries whose skies are almost always
clouded, they have no idea Of the in
furious effects of excessive light falling
other cases the want of sufficient light
is detrimental, large numbers being confined
in underground cellars and Easements, particu-
larly during the winter. The feeble condition
of many females who arrive here and soon to
become mothers-long voyages, with want of
sufficient good food, impairing their natural
powers-imparts debility to the offspring,
which is further increased by the necessity Of
mothers going out 10 work in few days after
confinement, and when they feel weak, using
strong drinks as stimulants, which render their
milk feverish and unfit for infants. The in
fants wrapped all day in warm clothes, and
their faces covered, they are bathed in perspi-
ration, and the air they breathe is consequently
poisoned by the exhalations from their own
bodies. 1t is not to be wondered that the NOR
tality among them is great. MANY" says DR..
Jones, "die from Intentional neglect or the eff
fects of laudanum, or other agents, given sim
ply because the children are illegitimate. The
truth of this disregard is in part exhibited by
the number Of foundlings that are picked up in
this city" Many children, too, are killed by
quack medicines. After these pernicious drugs
have done their work and the child is dying,
some self-styled doctor is called in to prevent
a coroner's inquest. He grants physicians
certificate as to the cause Of death for twenty
five cents, without ever having seen the child!
These facts have been brought to light by the
Health Officer ordering the bodies to be ex-
humed and inquests to be held. Great num-
bers are killed annually by quack medicine.
These are the principal causes Of the exces-
sive mortality in Brooklyn, and also in New
York, and, with such exceptions, both cities
are the healthiest in the United States.
ACADEMY or MuHc-MIss KELLOGG AZ IlrDA.-A few
musical enthusiasts braved the terrific storm OF ycser