The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-06
CAUSES OF MALARIA.
INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL vIELE on THE SAM
TARY CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL PARK AND
HARLEM.

INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL vIELE ON THE SAM
TARY CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL PARK AND
HARLEM.
Attention has been directed by contemporary
the Sun, to the alleged malarial condition Of the
atmosphere Central Park, By the reported sickness
of members OF the police force and also prcva
lence of fevers in Harlem from the same cause
representative Of the HERALD called upon General
Egbert l. Viele the author OF the original plan the
Park and OF the typographical map Of the city Of New
York.
General viele stated in reply to the inquiries ad-
dressed to him. that the Commissioners Of the Central
Park had in their possession elaborate and carefully
considered plans for the thorough drainage OF the
entire area OF the Park prepared by him at the very
commencement Of the work Of Improvement, and that
If those plans had been faithfully executed
there could not be any malaria emanations
now arising from the ground, the plans based
well established principles that had been practically
tested very probable OF malaria may exist IN
the condition OF the water in the park Among the
few notifications OF the original design attempt
at greater display OF effect in connection with water
which has resulted In the accumulation OF cousidera
Bile bodies OF water in ponds scattered through the
Park These ponds necessarily receive n large amount
of surface washings and thus accumulate vegetable
matter well rs an amount of organic matter derived
from the iertllzng material placed IN the ground AS
there no arrangements made for aerating this
water certain degree OF stagnatOn takes place from
the decomposition of the matter washed into
it, and therefore malaria Is formed Another
source of trouble arises from tic fact that in the
strucon Of some of these ponds land outside OF the
Park has become saturated and made Of ma.
laria This will probably involve suits for damages by
the owners " the private property thus injured.
In regard TO the maarous condition OF things ut
Harlem General Vicc stated that the Harlem flats viii
never be properly drained without the aid OF steam
Within the last lew years great many streets and
several avenues have been graded through This terri
tory, resulting series of embellishments which mark
the Harlem region like the lines checker board,
forming succession Of incosed basins where the
face water stands until II is cvaporatcd leaving the
ground thoroughly saturated This Is the most
cessiul plan that could possibly be adopted for produc
Ing maximum OF malaria from minimum Of surface
aud the Board Of Public Works ought 10 take out
patent for the spcsdest method OF killing people with
out the use ofgunpowdcr II the OF unmproycd
properly ia Harem could be induced TO plant out IN
the blocks quantity 81 rapid growing trees which
would absorb large amount ut moisture that dc.
vcops into matara, an immediate change IN the SAINT
tary condition OF that section would take place DR.
MOrcau Morris called attention to the Central Park
malaria some months ago, aud II has been q matter Of
surprise that no arrangements have been made for
acrating tho water in the ponds before tins.