The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-09

prevent disease. With such weather as we
have had for the last fortnight every day adds
to the danger. In another week ii may be too
late to guard against the enemy to life ana
health which has been so recklessly brought
to the doors of large part of our population
by their official protectors and guardians
anything is to be done to protect the commu-
nifty it must be done speedily and it is due to
the public that the work of disinfecton shall
be done effectively.
The difficulty is in dealing with so large
mass of deleterious matter. So much gar.
bage has been dumped into the Harlem fiata
and now lies there decomposing that only the
most thorough treatment will meet the ext
gencies of the case. Many plans are sug.
gested; but among the most feasible. ap-
parently is the use of coal tar as disinfect.
ant If this article possesses the qualities
attributed to it aud claimed for it the whole
region now infected with malarial diseases
the result of the foul exhalations from the
garbage beds-may be made safe and whole
some in week. The substance is very cheap.
and fifteen years ago was regarded as useless
for any practical purpose. Since then it has
been much utilized however; and if it really
possesses the disnfecting qualities that ara
claimed for it no time should be lost in GOV.
ering the pest beds with thick coating OF
coal tar and then the whole district should
be filled with four or five feet Of
pure loan or sand No moro street fill
ings, even if they are free from garbage,
ought to be sent to the Harlem fats in the
condition they now are. Only that which II
in itself disinfectant, loan or sand, should
be used in burying the iniquities of the Street
Cleaning Bureau and the contractors, and
thorough disinfecton of the unhealthy Filings
should be made before they are covered with
pure Garth. The plan to which we thus call
attention is that suggested by DR.. Thomas In
his report to the Police Board. His suggestion
is SO simple and inexpensive that there can b.
no excuse, in view Of the danger which is Inn.
pending, for not applying it. If the coal tar
possesses the disinfecting qualities which DR..
Thomas avers-and there need be no
doubt upon this questionable unhealthy
substances which now threaten the
health of the city should be satu-
rated with it at once. If it will not fully
answer the purpose some other disinfectant
must be found; for, while there can be no
doubt that the deleterious matter ought to be
removed altogether it would be unsafe to
attempt its removal, at least at this season.
In our efforts to prevent an epidemic we
must not altogether overlook the cause of all
this trouble or the men by whom it was pro-
duced. The filing of the Harlem flats is a
nuisance. 1t is the duty of the Grand Jury to
indict nuisances. Let the District Attorney
have those by whom it was created indicted
and tried for their offence. Mr.. Delafeld
Smith, the Corporation Counsel, has ex-
pressed willingness to aid the people in this
matter. Here is his opportunity. Let him
see to it that the contractors and officials who
were engaged in creating this nuisance ara
made to suffer for their wrong by means of
civil action. If they are pursued and pun
ished in both the civil and criminal courts
there will be fewer offences Of the same kind
in the future.