New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-13
Statistics of Work Thus Far Performed


decided as to which tie important tho study Of normal
Of abnormal phenomena. ale notion OF Coeridge that tic
laws both OF the mind and body rc geneIaled from
pathological data 70 have been almost rsonod III
very recently AID r this the greatest Efforts have
beer made 10 geItrale tie laws a disease While very mus
intention proporouately ha, been paid to The phenomena
presented in health. Now. however there sTe numerous
Authorities who hold that physiology tie basis Of pathology
that utterly useless pas much attention 10 pho abnormal
until very considerable progress has been made IN the study oil
conditions; and that clinical observations sAe ;hey
may verify the conclusions OF science vii never bs able 10
napply the means Il creating science i,self
1he impetus recently given 20 the investigation o. tie laws
ofhesilh has already brought forth exceest f,
We dcsie TO know h,w 10 Prevent c ooBo, dease Nhie1
has certain the Place Of tho desire to Dis
cover curative sgelces and many yey WCoilcnt scientific
neD now believe HAT it is possible TO place all feFusnt
pOisOns level with pox, Ncf Dr. Jenu'i discovery
has rendered almost harmless. 1lcse l0ons act go mystic
fously they ICworLi and substantial tni Hitha 80 n
tangible that every tf0 10 explain them as proved almost
futlc. The smallpox Tment hli.e dry aOumcnc1 SUD
ptsnoe my be carried abou ron place 10 place, a, taxa
Into the lungs introduced stO tie blood mupes itself
ImmoasuTaby; but the system once subjected T. as chemical
action second time 60 through Tue same process
Every texture body modified and rendered Incapable
being thus modified sgen. Tic l. true Of tie tp.s
poison which, it generally believed. originates hom TIE
OVercrOFding Of human beings lto badly ventilated apart
This also may get into the system BY inhalation Tic
typhoid fermen born IN sewers dclts filthy waercoses
md overlooking prive possibly in Of The drains Of The
human body and carried into the lungs with tho air we
breathe passes every snd tissue 6d gives rise 70
altered functions We plain these poons or cure
The Diseases they produce but 1t possible to prevent them
md only aceompshedb such hyg.orc measures
and sanitary regulations viii arrest tie decomposition Of
Hose substances in which the vegetable and animal loIments
p7oduced
SANITARY COMMISSIONS.
The progress knowledge in tie direction we Lave indica
ted in the preceding paragraphs manifested Itself in Health
Laws and Sanitary Commissions for tie purpose OF abatng
hose nuancos which experience shown dangerous
90 lie detrimental to health The movement has recently
become prevalent among civilized nations In general terms
ha combined effort the part OF scientific mon In sTery
part Europe and America study disease deuctiveyi
,aor 70 generaze the lava Of disease from the phenomena
presented health and at Tho time 20 render curative
agents secondary preventive rather BY pushing
The latter to their analysis 20 make the former totally
necessary. effort to keep mankind always IN health
an effort 10 render disease inpossbe; 10 modify unwhoe
zone agencies that they shall become harmless 10 operate
through natural laws upon external nature to make the
operations Of external upon always benign and
beautiful.
Is tie propbem too profouDdi Not oine than
shat which puzzled Hppocraes and baei lis followers ever
,inee medicine became art The word has been seeking
tpeofos diseases during many centuries few have been
uud bat now partially disappointed in the first attempt the
Ismo their attention to health 10 the Lone that they
better able study diseases aud this change has
ssen wrought almost within few decades Half century
ago there single Trustworthy work IL the English
language hygiene Now have maDyi but many
and better s to We beginning 10 learn
HE effect OF the operations Of external nature |
Upon We are beginning to learn how these |
operations may be BEAUTIFULLY monifed by mans own !
agency; nav better than all this we have laws tased
this great principle organizing commissions to pat tue kno
edge have already gained to practical test and to the
means sanitary places in their hands the public
good.
THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF HEATH.
Nothing which pertain. mankind can be foren to any
man Having general interest In what being done else
whore to alleviate tho sueriDgs Of feowcrestue the
Interest special and absorbing when contemplate
measures pertain directly ourselves 1t is this that
invests the METROPOLITAN Board Of Health with such growing
and wide spread regard NewYOrk is not only the
ps but also neectaal and scientific center OF the Amer
lean continent The sanitary measures adopted in this city
Save already found their way tho far West and tie cities OF
the Mississippi Valley the Of preventing and
controlling infection that in here. Thus tho
sbsns Of the United States interested in the safety Of
Manhattan Island and thus the doiDgs Of the metropolitan
Board OF Health become subject Of great concern abroad and
home.
Strange may those who resde upon this Island
e City Of EewYork has better code OF health laws to-day
any other city the planet They have never been
rced we regret to say and perhaps will be until the
courts can induced punish nfngemen Of the statutes
the State and the ordinances Of the cy but the statement
the less true that account Last February law
passed by the Legislature Of organizing body
purpose enforcing these laws and to do such acts
woud tend preserve life snc protect the public health The
law very carefully and admirably adapted TO the
purpose 1t Ia minute and embraces every subject having
rect tendency toward tie object in view It is capable
Of Improvement but doubt amendments will in
good time.
tnH ORGANIZATION OF THI METROPOLITAN BOARD OF
HEALTH.
The Act creating the Metropolitan Sanitary District and
me- Of Health passed by the Legislature Of New
York after lgosracted debate and the most violent oppo
son the part OF the representatives, Of these classes to
most benefited BY H. the Goth OF February 1866 and
into effect the first day Of March following The
Board composed Of nine gentlemen namely; The Board Of
metropolitan Police consisting Of Thomas c. Acton BeDjs
Msnierre John Bergen and Joseph d. Boswohi the
Health Ocer Of the Port Of New York. Dr. John Swinburne
Others appointed by the Governor by and with the
advice Of the Senate three Of whom physicians The fol
lowing appointed BY Gov Fenon Jackson s. Schultz
Willard Parker. N. D., John o. Stone II. D.. and James
Crane D-ths latter Of Brookyn-and termed "Ssn.
rsry Commissioner" They hold ofcs such respectively
Turing the following terms. Willard Parker NJ d. for one
Crane d. sor two years. Jackson Schultz
lrvo years. and John o. Stone NJ D. for four and
uati their successors spponted and qualified.
Immediately after their appointment and on the day on
~hcA the Law took effect these four Sanitary Commissioners
ths ocs Of the Secretary Of State and determined BY
10. their respective erms Of ONCE took The required oath and
received sr oerhcses Of sprortnert On the next day
March the Sanitary Commissioner the Board Of Police and
We Health ofhcsr Of the Port met ct n In the Of
President Acton. Of the Police COMMISSIONER and organized
ne Metropolitan Board Of Health By eecting jackson
BOhus President Benjamin Marerrs Treasurer and Col
Emuons Clsrt, Secretary. Or. T. B. Dalton was mado
Sanitary Superintendent Dr.. j. D. Cunfiing Of BROOKLYN
Assistant Sanitary Superintendent Dr.. Elisha Harris Regis
sru Of Records Dr. j. Crson Stiles Of Brooklyn Deputy