The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-03

/ The substratum OF New York.
We publish on another page an article com
piled in part from General Viele' sfeper and agu
map Of New York, showing the substratum OF tn
city. From these curious developments our citi
zens will observe the causes for the prevalence
of certain distempers and diseases in particular
localities, including the most fashionable and
obtain clue to remedy therefor.
/ 1t appears that the original and natural drain
age streams of the entire area of the city have
been imp~rfectly filed up, and their places sup
piled by artificial sewers that utterly fail to drain
OF the water that Is constantly accommodating
This water becomes stagnant, filth and garbage
are SLOWED to mingle with it, and the miasma
and noxious vsYors arising thessfrom are the
fruitful and inevitable sources Of disease and
mortality. When enc reflects upon the fright
full masses of putridty that underiis the streets,
slleys, public buildings, private residences,
vacant lots and number Of the public parks
of the city, he cannot be at q Toss to- divine the
reason why fever and sgue, intermittent fevers
and like complaints are chronic, and why epi-
denies prevail with such virusence IN those
localities when once they break out In the
higher sections such as the ridges Of Broad
way and the old B0wery, Murray Hll and other
elevated points,. the wateE sheds both to the
North and East rivers, render them healthy
and salabrious. This is mainly because the
drainage is perfect But in the lower sections,
and especially upon newly made land, the en-
tire system Of drainage is wretched and useful
only to foster disesse. One Of our public
buildings--the Tombs-is built upon what was
once known as the Collect a sheet of water at
one time seventy feet deep, now filed up
with rubbiak and dead carcases, without vent
being allowed for the purifying slum The con-
sequence is that deadly vapors are constantly
arising in the prison, resulting IN cases Of
asphyxia and death.
It is not long since one might SCOOP up
q tumbler of water in basement at the
corner of Canal street and Broadway, and
find it filled with animalcul@, which, in
a few minutes became full fedged and
troublesome insects 1t was necessary to-
cement the floors in order to mako the'ptaceat
all tenable. Whist were formerly known. as
Lispenard meadow on the North river side and
Stuyvesant meadow on the East river side
(Mackerelville, &C.,, covering large tracts'o
territory, are drained in very imperfect man.
ner. The lower part Of Fifth avenue; and
other fashionable localities, whore high -stoops
and brown stone fronts most attract thee eyer
the same imperfect system of drainage exists.
In order to remedy these defects in our. DRAIN
age system 1t is necessary to accomplish. two
things. One is to institute q new and thorough
system of drainage, the outlines of whicha We
present in the article we have referred to, even
to the raising of tho aforesaid brown stone
fronts on stills while the work is being done,
and the other is the cementing by q water and
vapor proof composition the foundations, base
ments and cellars Of all buildings the erection
Of which shall be contemplated.
The filthy condition. Of many Of our streets,
which have not seen the broom, brush, hoe or
shovel of the street contractors since the new
contract was awarded; the dangers Of an epi-.
iemic that threatens us, and the general,
hygienic welfare of the city, admonish our citis
1ens and the authorities that something should
be done, and that Immediately. to effect q.
thorough and radical Improvements in our.
system of drainage and sewerage. In the
It would be well for the authorities
TO- look after the street cleaning contractors.
PRESIDENT J0HssOM AND Our COPPERHEAn,
Hon. Ben Wood, Of the Duly
Means, and Monsieur Mantilini and the sheat-
paarshent managers Of the World, profess to l,er
pen ssoeuencs, the organs, guides and counsel