The New York herald., 1871-12-20
THE SMALLPOX IN BROOKLYN.

Apathy OF the Authorities Upon the Subject
The Disease Advancing. rstfr
On Thursday last the Health On1cer OF the city Of
Brooklyn, DR.. george Cochran, an ofnclal whose
industry and integrity have been voucned tor by the
success Of his labors IN guarding against the en-
croachment OF diseases that have from time TO time
since he assumed the sanitary rens threatened that
community, waited upon HIS Honor Mayor Kalb.
neisch for the purpose Of obtaining the necessary
means to prevent further coutagion from the
smallpox. He was attended by three members Of
the Aealth Committee OF the Board Of Aldermen.
The Doctor stated In most emphatic terms the dan.
ger with which the citizens or Brooklyn were
threatened, and also asserted with unmistakabe en-
pnasls the necessity OF employing sufficient force
OF assistant sanitary inspectors to 20 around among
the schools. institutions and from house 10 house
and vaccnate the people. The Streets too he urged,
should be cleaned at once There was no excuse
for delay-now was the time. The danger was i'm.
minent. The result OF apathy and Indifference on
the part OF the health authorities Of Philadelphia
was warning which should be pro1ted by in
Brooklyn. In the former city they permitted the
disease TO get firm footing among them before
prevent ur.Ser Mischief Inc deaths IN one Week
IN that city from smallpox were 233. Unless the
municipal government co.opera!ed with him. the
keys OF ONCE to tnem aud let them make the best
OF IT, as he dia not want to have the responsibility
Of Keeping of the epidemic without the means.
HIS hands were efiectually tied unless they gave
him the force he asked with which TO meet the
emergency. The Mayor quoted from the Session
laws, which set forth that 1t is necessary that the
Common Council shall first authorize the issuing
OF certificate upon which money snail be raised III
case Ol epidemic, upon the signatures Of the Mayor,
County Judge and County Treasurer. The smallpox
has steadly Increased since that time. Reports OF
physicians attest this fact Clerks several Of the
City government departments, Journalists wit
nesses In courts occupants OF asyiums OF the Jan
and other Institutions as well as people In every
walk OF life, have felt the dread scourge upon them
Vaccination and cleanliness the great and
this fearful nauseating and disnguring malady
Yet the Aldermen stand still. and do nothing in the
matter. They met on Monday last. when
1t was supposed action would be taken
to ensure the measures which have been
declared SO imperatively. essential In the
premises Nothing was done to carry out
the advice OF the sanitary sentinels. Money was
voted. however for well paid CLERKS in the form OF
remuneration for extra servces.n In order to
get these little Jobs through doubtless the health
requirements were set aside for the nonce. Now
THIS apathy and criminal indifference would all be
very well and perfectly satisfactory Ii the commu-
nifty were only guaranteed tnat the disease would
c0nfne Itself to the Aldermen and whoever else
may De to Dlame for this neglect OF duty; but as 1t
Is the residents In every section Of The city are
aroused 10 the exlgency OF the and the attend
ant danger, and they do not, therefore, take this
cOnSOlng view OF the situation.