The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-01
SMALLPOX.


The Disease in the Streets.
The Importation OF the smallpox from neiRhb0r-
ing States Is every daV growing III extent. and it is
TO be h0psd Governor Hoffman will take some
decisive steps 10 arrest te food OF into this
city that has been inundaung IL for some time
when the Board of Health shall have laid the
papers before him relating to the matter. Last
week the commissioners OF Charities and Correction
complained to the Board OF Health that some ON
Gals at New Brunswick, n. j., had sent boy
directly to New York VINO was suffering terribly
from this loatnsome disease, and they asked the
Board to take
SOME IMMEDIATE ACTION
to stop the further influx OF patients. Yesterday
afternoon q man named John Keys was found on
the corner OF Chambers and Centre streets BY Cap
tam Kennedy OF the 81 xtn precinct, who was covered
all over with the fillny virus. rnls man told Cap
tain kennedy he mad no home. and there can be no
douot out that he Was sent 10 New YORK from some
lniand village where the rustcS were alarmed at the
disease that had attacked the poor ieliow. In New
York the man caa he properly cared Tor ana 30
treated that ne will recover from The Sickness but
II Is
rRIGHrFUL EXPOSURE
OF the health OF the people to ding disease LIKE
smallpox into the public Streets more especially
where there are many filthy channels to convey
1t 20 the homes OF the poorest classes who always
suner the most from eDidenics. Inc street Cars arc
most fruitful source OF contagl0n. ana transmit
Infection TO all classes. The presenC condition OF
the streets only tends to make the cars still more
iOrcbe IN dealing out death. ana the immense
masses OF manure that now cucumber the
east and west SIDES OF the city make up an APP
pr0priate climax 10 the universal dirt diseases and
the vermin- As may be seen by the report IN the
HERALD OF yesterday. on one line OF cars the straw
Is Changed every day. the cushions taken out
at night and beaten, and such other precautions
are taken that the cars are comparatively clean
but III others the damp dirty straw Is allowed to re-
main for weeks ana the CUSHIONS anu backs are
never disturbed with any cleaning apparatus. IL Is
10 De nOped Tue Board or Health VIII continue the
work begun by Commissioner Barr, and then II
CHOLERA should come with the warm weather the
city would be In conditlon 10 cope with the dis.
ease.
The Result Of Removing Smallpox Patient
from His Home.
Mrs. Mary l. Remsen, q widow, OF Brooklyn, has
brought suit against the Board OF Health, Health
Ofiicer Cochran and Isaac Van Ripper, 10 recover
$4,000 damages. II seems that early in January,
1871, her son Richard, young man about twenty
years Of age, was Frustrated by the smallpox. at
their house, No. SO North Portland avenue. The
case becoming known at the Health Office Dr.
Cochran ordered Van Riper to remove the young
man to the hospital at FatDush Young Remsen
january A' aled e Mrs a Remsen ' Claims n tnSs
she was partially dependent on her son
cared for at home; after being taken from the
house he was put In wagon and exposed to the
cold weather Tor several hours. Mrs. Remsen
further states that she was not allowed to see INN
until after he died she brings this suit to recover
damages In the sum oil $4,000
Corporation Counsel William C. De Witt for the
defence, yesterday interposed demurrer TO the
complaint, and the case was argued before Justice
Gilbert. Mr.. DE Witt commended that II
there were any responsibility liability 1t rested
on the city. The Board OF Health was merely de-
partmeht OF the city government. He furthermore
cOntcnded that IN the case oil the death OF q child
The parent could not now bring suit 70 recover Tor
loss OF services as by The statute the next OF kin
had the right to bring an action for damages, the
sum not to exceed $500. Another ground taken
by counsellor DE VIII was that the complaint did
not set forth tnat the father was dead and In such
case an action could not be brought by the mother.
Decision reserved.