New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-05
THE POOR AND THE PUBLIC DISPENSARLES.

If one wishes an illustration, at once startling
and depressing of numbers and destitute cond
ton poor who herd in the filthy and
and cellars OF this city, let him happen III
one OF the localities gwen up to these occupants
at moment when alarm or excitement hurries fright
ened women with their babes 20 the street. Or better
still for his purpose lot him stroll there when dayswork
is done and weary laborers OF all ages and sexes swarm
To their cells for rest. He will come away feeling, per
haps that the startled gaze OF the alarmed crowd was
far less painful than tho suen. detected looks OF the
weared ones but hearsck that the soualor the
Indebtedness OF both perfect After TINS ne VIII not
be startled as casual reader might be- to learn that
sanitary inspections have revealed the painful fact that
these localities crowded than the most densey
populated districts OF London and Paris and that TINS
exceptional and immense populace subject to peculiar
diseases and requires unusual sanitary ana meuieal
treatment.
The crowded localities are along and but block or
two removed FROM the rivers which How on either slde
of NewYork and the great majority of tensnthouses
are built either on made EARTH what was originally
marshy and is still miasmatic ground. The unavoidable
results OF unhealthy locality and unpatura orowdng
are peculiar of infections fevers scrofua cholera
Infantum. and marasmus which aiict most heavily tho
children doomed to birth. and the wives and mothers
constrained by poverty continuous residence there,
day and night.
Very difficult have been the efforts OF public legislation
and private philanthropy suggest and enforce the
proper sanitary regulations on these exceptional patients
for the prevention and Of these peculiar diseases
Experience revealed that the service must be free
The patients are unable in many cases to pay either
apothecary physician. and the latter cannot afford
services and drugs gratis The service cannot be ar
btrariy enforced the law warrants the i'll
vason of mans house to feel his pulse than to pick lis
pocket and yet the service 10 be effective must
be urgent. 1t must not merely be offered,
it must be forced these patients, for their
ignorance and Indifference not less than their poverty
leads to their neglect OF their health Our legislators
long abandoned, inexpcable the difficult prob
lem Phanthropiss still struggle with it. and have met
with The most gratifying practical results
OF their efforts thus far have been the establishment OF
about 20 public Dispensaries Naturally these institutions,
which free drug and surgeons and physicians
offices combined, have located themselves where the
perpetual fever nests" tenant-houses have been
called are most Ofcia reports for 1861 in.
form these public dispensares provide medical
care for about 1900 persons nearly aprObaby more
than nnetenths-Of whom inhabitants OF
tenanthouses." The service has greatly increased
In the past six years-not less than 100000
persons thus annually attended now-but
as We have less than half million OF tenanthouse
population the island the service is Inadequate aud
the number and the OF the Dspepsares ought
be increased There depending for relief on our
Legislators Their past neglect and present indifference
are the primary Of the existence in its aggravated
FORM OF the tenanthouse system; and the efforts Of com
missions appointed by State authority 10 remedy the
abuses and relieve the sufferers have been received and
opposed by city officials infringement their
rghts The appeal for further aid for the Dspensaries
therefore DO addressed to wealthy and phianthro
pic citizens We know well that it will not be made In
vain The mere announcement that necessity requires
the extension of the facilities Of the various Dspensaries
is all that is needed prompt action the part Of those
who able and disposed to enjoy the luxury OF true
charity.
Less with the design OF directing any response TO
suggestions than TO illustrate the great advantages
Of these institutions, attention is called the Western
Dispensary for Women and Children at No. 2t2 Ninth
ave. 1t has been in existence but year, yet
learn from Its report at total expense Of only 1854 TO- it
furnished. during it's first nine months Of operation, med
cal aid 279 patients Surely this is charity noble
AS it is economical. There many such which per-
form nobly and which, we assured, need and de-
serve. like this one further aid.