New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-09
LROOhLFN FEHEE NESTS.

STARTLING REPORT OF THE SANITARY COMMITTEE
TIE MOST UNHEALTHY CITY IN THE COUNTRY
DETECTIVE DRAINAGE AND DIRTY STREETS
TIE MAIN CAUSES.
The report of the Sanitary Committee OF the
Brooklyn Health Board, which presented yesterday
to that body is startling document IL shows that IN
1873 the death in Brooklyn greater than that In
any Northern city. The for this are stated
TO be fourfod-defectves drainage. dirty streets, bad
filing OF jvacant lots and foul vaults. The most sgnin
cant parts of the report are appended:
Last year there l264s deaths In this city, or SIC
in each 1000 inhabitants. wnie the CITY OF London, WIN
much larger proportion OF poor aud squahd DhaDlt
ants and a more limited supply OF water had an aver
age death rate Of only All Il our death rae was as low
a 'unS W. 81 S9s lives II The entire CIV of Booyn
had been healthy as the old Third ward tie records
sctnaI mortality II the entire city had been
healthy as the Sixteenth Ward would have regis
tered % $50 deaths In different wards we see a
minimum death rate in the Third Ward GGD and IN the
Sixteenth Ward a maximum t69); IN tue Remaining
wards intermediate rates, the average for all being 81
In London the highest rate OF death from 1861 TO
1871 is quite double the lowest rate In Brooklyn II
is three times greater Such excessive mortality must
be due 20 causes which be discovered by digcnt
search and the people of Brooklyn should not be salts
fed until such causes are revealed.
The great sanitary fault or Brooklyn arises from IT'S
location II its detective drainage and its great need
l. comprehensive system OF subsoil drainage sewer
aye has measurably been provided The distinction
between drainage and sewerage that the former pro-
from becoming saturated while the latter only
the proper disposal OF surface and waste water from
glance at q typographical map OF the city records
the TACT that the surface OF It's territory Is very rreg
lands and Is scanned three points with sluggish Da
ursl courses, the borders OF which are low ana
marshy In the, low lands the already
converted by the intersecting streets ana avenues
into sS, OF neSu sapS OF Of xaer By
order 70 make these undrsined sunken Iots available
for building ,h s.es %"s' os hsa does
make lots dry and healthful. No more damaging
onsspitary prsc1ce, we have maariai fever typhoid
fever tuberculosis and other common and fatal mala
dies. o depressed condition OF the system. which
makes one liable to the development Of any form Of dis
ease, occurring IN houses built over these neglected
In Brooklyn the catastrophe TO the general health
augmented the character Of the material used for NH
position Of the organic matter deposited giving
poisonous emanatons. which perneate houses built on
houses this city built Just such foundations.
the unfortunate occupants attestng by their banched
fever. ana other preveniabie diseases. the DIRE
effects OF the insiduous poison generated by Tue
f fSer 81 the are n1g uv osa S oHsr which sr
living and sleeping rooms are situated IL "a 10 eAss,
geratoa 70 say that TINS unwse ana CT Snn
reds OF lives. This remedy VIII DC drainsge, Ny when
as moisture OF F Ssss win DC
drainage law such now stands upon the statutes
emSag nc a aws 81 Of should be deans
which this board should have coordinate power. FUR
Their cause OF the &c ucdtu 70
clean condition Of the streets There eau be no doubt
that in this respect Bookyu ranks with the most hthy
cities in the civilized world =,
10 City OF Brooklyn. except In the
principal thoroughfares, 10 mere sham This Idea 10
e nm a measure 10 the imperfections OF our eontrtct
sysfem The contracts often taken ut price which
IL im possible the bidder 70 fulfill his contract
without loss and the Board has good reasons
for belle wing contractors not expected TO comply
with the Of the contract and specifications me
neglect enforce gidy the terms Of the contract Tor
street. cleaning has prevailed from time mmemorial.
The do not provide for the stated cleaning o
other than improved streets, which must be cleaned
three times In eacweek while other streets are cleaned
as often as the Boara o CRY Works may direct tho
interests OF public health demand that every street oc
thoroughly cleaned at least three times each week. anu
the great IhorOu ghfares every night.