New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-26
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

The regular meeting of the Board of Health
took place yesterday afternoon. President Lincoln in the
chair All the members were present except Mr. Acton
Counsel for the Board ordered 20 commence SUITS
against the OF 6 tenement houses Tor Ioi
Violating the laws regulating buildings Of similar ma
ture An ordinance adopted IN regard 70 the use OF
beroseuse Oil regulating its sale, and liking lts GRAVITY
The penalties for violating this ordinance VIII DO
and unlike the last ordinance or similar nature 10 y
The frequent loss OF life occasoned by the explosion OF
kerosene lamps has called for an iuvcsugaton ad lhe
remain "a dead letter. Tho following communication was
read from the Sanitary superintendent IN reference 20
load OF nitro gyCeTine which was hauled through tho
streets Of tho city and placed ON board 81 vessel t mo
docks The matter referred 20 tho counsel for the
Board with instructions 10 report any ana al existing
laws i'm regard 10 the matter aud whether or not and u
what manner they can be enforced.
RErORT OF Dir. ELISHA HARRIS
An attempt by certain parties 90 ship ot Of Tho DAN
gerous explosive compound, known a. ultr9gyceIihe,
from HOboken through NCw.York 90 New Haven. has
very properly aroused the attention and called Jr tho u
reference OF some Of the Metropolitan officials and tho
the following facts to the Board of Health:
That during the last week certain persons sent from
HOhokeu by the fergybOa 10 tho foot OF Desbros4ct'
New-York, carlOad of boxes. marked "GIson' These
boxes carted across the city 10 the foot ~ roomes
and there transferred 20 the soOp southport lying ~ East
River At the suggestion Of tile President Of the Metro
potan Police Dr Harris sent Prot Chandler 70 ascertain
ihe nature OF the suspicious material lie reported 70 %
DO nitro glycerlne, Instead OF gasoline" Immediate
orders gwen, under authority or tho h section OF
anchorage 50 yards from NcwNork aud Brooklyn. This
beng all the sanitary superintendent was authorized 70
do he referred the matter 20 tho Fire Commissioners
whose authority over explosive compounds Justified them
in ordering further removal 10 point near tho Pa
with a report Of Prof Chandler to tho Board Of Health
for their further action m Peyenuug tIe transportation
Of giyccrue through tho streets OF the city.
The report Of Prof Chandler gives ms reasons for su
pccuug the nature OF the material ~ the boxes l't'
GASOLINE Is not half as heavy nrOglyccrne. 3D. The
cans were much moro carefully packed than would be
necessary for gasoline 81, Tie cartman WHO transport
ed tbe boxes tied the springs OF his 10 prevent
bratiOn prccauiOn not necessary for gasoline Ihe5e
facts convinced Prof Chandler that the boxes contained
Of
ture OF the danger attendant upon the cartng OF guam
THY OF this terrible mixture, oven n tho most careful
napner through largo city. Several instances OF spOn-
taneOus explosions given. II the 80 cases had cN-
plOded on the crrybOat the Professor says the larger
portion OF the passengers WOud undoubtedly have been
Killed. Had u exploded while passing through tho
streets very large number OF buildings would have
been destroyed and many persons killed. lie thinks very
strict laws should be enacted 10 govern TIE ranspOrta
ton OF the compound, ana that IL shOud always Dc
marked with It's true name.