The New York herald., 1873-08-07
MARKET DANGERS.
stagnant Water and Broken Pavements-Foul
Air in Washington Market-Damp Cell
lars-Nhat Kills the Babies--Bad 4uor
Fruit and Cheap Death.


to - r lIEfI
Some Of our bad smells are conquered. Pluck
ana persistence on part OF the Board OF Health
have effected reforms where long experience had
induced the belief that it was useless to look for
them But its fight Is not finished While indi-
vlduals reap rich harvests of profit by selling
poison, or city officials can save themselves
trouble by shutting their eyes over prac-
tees prejudcia to the public health,
there will still be fields for sanitary
struggles Our streets are badly paved as a rule.
few have been honestly laid with firm heavy
blocks. Even these are not perfect on account Of
the material lacking certain requisite qualities.
Many streets still paved with the cobble stones
OF various dimensions forming even in its best
estate roadway more adapted to retaining dirt
than to facilitating its removal Both In the
streets laid with trap-blocks and those in which
cobbe stones remain those who have disturbed
the pavement to get access to sewers gas pipes or
water pipes have been allowed to reset the pave
ment lantily that in q short time the place be-
comes marked by depression often reaching
foot in depth--a receptacle Tor street dirt and
reservoir for putrid water. We can never havo
clean streets so long as this remains unchanged.
Till we can have clean streets we shall never have
a thoroughly healthy city. It is the duty of the
Board of Health to continue its labors in behalf Of
cleanliness till all these abuses are corrected.
ABOUT TIE MARKETS
Nowhere is 1t more imperatively requisite for
the public health to have the streets smooth, un-
broken clean and the cutters formed AZ to carry
Off quickly every drop OF drainage, than in the
neighborhOod around our great depots Of food.
Hardly In any part OF the city the streets
than about Fulton Washington Market. In
all the streets which border these great
trade centres from which immense quantities of
food are daily distributed are deep holes and
broken cutters, which defy all Implements of
street cleaning and set at naught the most earnest
labOrs OF scrupulous sweepers, Worst OF all Is
Vesey street. This is paved or once was, with
cobbe stone. II has been opened In many places,
and presents telltale gulfs as Formidable as the
historic ravine across which Colonel Charley May
made his renowned cavalry charge upon the Mexi-
Fuson srsn htwsen asSn9an uo ana "a, Wns
Streets is in nearly as bad condition as Vesey
street, though 1t has been paved with blocks. In
many places 1t has been broken up, and In both
pavement and cutters are large receptacles for
nastiness. West street Is IN better condition.
Washington street, though not as defective as the
streets, needs attention before II Will be in
fautless sanitary condition. 4h N .fr
South street, near Fulton Market needs immedi-
ate attention. The site OF the booths recently
abated should be restored to the use Of vehicles,
and the gutter should he 80 repaired that twill dis
charge the drainage OF the market stands freely.
Beekman, Front and Fulton streets each need
similar repairs. South street, between Beekman
street and Peck slip, Is soon 10 be relieved OF the
stores and stands which obstruct the gutter and
gather ppder their floors fostering masses OF
putrld animal matter and street th
SMELLS IN WASHINGTON MARKET.
Inspector Judson and Architect Pdener found
the air close, unpleasant and unwn0leSome In
Washington Market. IL was likewise so dark In
the afternoon that gasllRht was required. They
building, from above, and the introduction OF sky
lights and ventlators. These, II provided, Will no
doubt partly cure the evil They foand its origin
In the breath o the large NUMBERS congregated
there the eXhalatlons from meats, vegetables and
other moist and perishable commodities, and in
the large combustion OF gas. I-a
DAMP CELLARS.
SO far IA their report shows IL does not appear
whether these bold searchers alter asant truth
penetrated into the cellars under the upper portion
OF the market II they did 1t Is possible that they
might nave added to the sources OF foul air in the
market the elluva arising from collections OF water
unpeasantly like the bllge water rom shlps, whose
odors once snlffed leave memories never TO be Ell
Iaced Ir the sanitary Inspectors nave not found
their way to these now long unused cellars they
would doubtless derive useful knowledge from
thorough inspection there. II1
BABY MORTALITY AND BAD FRUIT.
Last week sS9 babies, under five years Old, died
in this city. In the same meeting OF the Board OF
Health which received this report, quite appro-
priatey the subject OF the sale or unripe and un-
now the city is abundantly supplied with melons,
toes and other fruit and vegetables much of it
OF those who are so indiscreet as TO
eat them. This cheap death by ready made cholera
morbus Is for sale literally everywhere. 1t pre-
sents Its juicy temptation to every child with
copper on stands by the sidewalk, and is hawKed
about the streets In carts. IL Is sold by boys and
hoods are most tempted with this poison. For a
cent two unrpe or rottlng peaches can be bought
plenty TO kill baby of average digestive power
and lor three cents IL is possible To Duy unrlpe
pears or too tender tomatoes or i,, soutga
melons soft bananas enough TO provide
diarrhpa for household. Two cents thus
expended may furnish abundant cause 10 call "a
doctor or TO visit q dispensary. tour through
either O the markets or stroll up Chatham street
and the Bowery or down West Broadway VIII con-
vince observer OF mathematical tendency tnaG
we have an ample supply OF spoiled ana green
fruit to cheat the young lie out OF ul tnousahi
unreasoning babies this week II the SAFE oe hos
checked at once. 49,,
sanitary officers are now instructed to take tns
matter In charge and inspect our traits and vegeta-
0les before the little ioks have the chance 10 swa
low them TO their death. They will nnd reason 10
commence their search for this kind OF mercnauusG
at and about Washington and Fulton marness au snr
the wharves near them. In fact, an the
nish these articles which VIII certainty DC cIose.
as soon as seen by the inspectors; py a1Nyy viusoyy
watching these sources OF supply the laoor ol iooh
ing after the petty dealers al through e e Rnsr ~
manly he rendered unnecessary. ii the Doaiu VI
Health succeeds in keeping this poisonous .rasn
our of the reach of the children tnere eau De no
.joubr but thar it will occasion decided reduction
i'm i'm the ,eariuly great death rate last reported.