The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-24
PITY THE POOR.

The Pcstilence that Has Destroyed Five
Hundred Children in u Week-An APP
peal for Aid from Mr., Wiswau, of st.
Johns Guild.
Few men or women In the better walks OF life,
even among those who from choice or necessity,
remain In the city during the heated term, have
any adequate idea Of the suffering in the tenement
houses and the novels and cellars in the lower
quarters of the city. The sickening stencil that
arises from the filth of the cutters and from the
collections of ofral and garbage, almost unbcarabe
as it is to robust passers-by. breeds the worst
forms OF epidemic among the poor wretches whose
lives are cast in these places. How fearful must be
the effect Of these noxious gases and fetid odors
ascending to the close, superheated sick room OF
feverish sufferersl
At this moment, when the dreaded scourge, the
cholera, is knocking at our coors, as swift and
terrible an enemy is already busy in our midst.
Within the single week last past nearly five hun
bred children have died In this city, and this while
the thermometer gives an average temperature
considerably lower than for the corresponding
week OF last year. Women apply at st. Johns
Guild almost daily for aid to bury their little ones.
Two came in one day who had been vainly search
ing for forty-eignt hours for assistance. during
which time the corpses had remained in a room in
which the living children were locked up in the
mothers absence.
special relief committee has been formed in
every neglected ward of the city by the Rev. Alvah
Wiswall, well known as the Master Of the st.
Johns Guild and these committees, in conjunction
with the Guild in question, Will visit every tene-
ment house in the city. This plan was pursued
last year in the Fifth and Eighth wards, and when
sick children were found physicians were at once
sent for and medicines and necessaries provided.
IG may be remembered that at that time many
children were found in damp Easements
nnd nln IF fhAnV
(of botn sexes), Of ages ranging as high as four
teen or fifteen years, being absolutely naked
a single breath OF fresh ar. immaculate relief is
demanded in many cases and the dispensarles fur.
nish 1t often only after many hours In the mean.
time, with death quietly grasping them, the poor
sufferers cannot wait Are there not many In this
Christian city who will help Mr.. Wiswall in his
noble efforts for the relief OF these destitute little
ones?
The following are the chairmen OF the relief COM
mittees in the various wards who will gladly re-
ceive and acknowledge through the press all sub
scriptions- John p Faure, 2Ss West Eleventh
street; Rev Arthur Warner Az Hudson street; g.
way Rev. Arthur Kimber, 1852 Bowery; Rev. J. Ii.
Houghton, Trinity church; Rev. Alvah wiswall,
others. The uses to which the moneys are APP
piled win be stated IN reports published weekly.
Owing to the great increase OF sickness and NOR
tally among the children OF the poorer classes the
following plan has been devised to AFFORD such relief
is possible to those who still live to suffer in the
reeking tenement houses or our city. All the poorer
sections OF the city have been divided into small
districts, and relief committee has been formed
in each district. These committees will visit every
pOor,family Immediately, and when sick children are
found they will furnish medical treatment and
medicines free OF cost while wholesome food will
be furnished to the extremely destitute mothers,
tAus enabling them to give their whole time to
their sick children. In many sections OF the
city SO many ladies' and gentlemen have offered
their services as visitors that IL has been
found necessary to assign only one block OF
buildings to each visitor. 1t is believed
that IN few days there will be q
visitor for every tenement house block in the
city. These visitors without exception give their
services and in every ward headquarters have
been offered by churches and charitable institu-
lions free OF cost. Therefore no money will be
used for salaries or office rent; but much money
will be needed to furnish medical advice, medl-
cines and food to the destitute sick The public is
now asked to contribute the money for THIS work.
In the lace OF these facts 1t be possible that
this appeal will be made in vain