New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-14
covered with blood Dr. Bodkin says that Deehan tod
him similar story to that given, but the ncghbors deny
any knowledge Of the affair
PURIFYING THE HARLEM FLATS.

PURIFYING THE HARLEM FLATS.
RESULTS OF THREE DAYS LABOR WITH DIslNFECr-
ANTs-A SUNDAYS BATTLE WITH THE FOUL
FUMES
The horrible stencil that met the passenger
on an uptown Second Thrdaye. as he approached
the Harlem Flats has been changed to smell strongly
resembling that which arises from coal tar.
The whole force Of the Disinfecting Corps OF the
Board Of Health has been engaged since
Friday In sauratng the surface Of the most unhealthy
portions with dead Oi' and solution OF copperas
reporter THE TRIBUNE who visited tho district yeter
day found the whole force, consisting OF 80 men
and lS horsc-carts, at work. The pools west OF
Thrd.ave. that have been formed by closing
the culvert under this thoroughfare, and when
recently emitted such sickcning odor nave
thoroughly dsnccted by soaking about 75 barrels
OF sawdust with the dead oil and solution and then ny
the use Of boats and other spreading this over
every portion Of the ground containing sagnant water
In the time the banks where the garbage and filth
OF the ashcars found cropping out have not been
neglected be readily seen by their dscoloed ap
pearance The dead oil marks the place wherever ii Is
thrown.
On the large tract Of low land lying between Ninety
foni III and One Hundred and Fourthsts and East Of
Thirdave, where the filling has not been brought above
high tide. and where the gases from the submerged
muck and only partially garbage produced much
Of the offensive and unhealthy fumes complained or
s still going on YESTERDAY 1874 barrels were
used and Intended continue the oil % TO l25
barrels daily until all unpleasant smells have been re-
moved. The worst portions Of this district which we're
found between Second and Thirdaycs. received aen-
ton first, and in places 10 was found necessary 10
empty the contents of a barrel on very small
surface. As the barrels hold over 40 gallons
each, about $1,000 gallons have been used dur
| ing the past three days The result is that
| little OF the original smell remains, and while that
arising the dead oil has been substituted the latter
! has none Of the offensive, sckning. and unhealthy
qualities coming from the decomposition of coniined
Vegetable matter Dr. Endeinann, who las charge OF
/ the disinfecting corps. and who visits the Mats
daily, said yesterday that the dead oil Is
derived from coallar by distllatiOu. and contains
active disinfcctant principles carlolic and cresync
acids besides other substances bch possess anti
septic properties but which not fully understood. II
lrs used by the Board Of Health tOg' tler with
other salts, dlsiniectant for seven or eight years
past and has given satisfaction. II does not, how
ever, absorb anything, but merely acts as a
check to further fermentation. 1t may bc
unpleasant but il is not in any way unhealthy. The so
luton cOpperas used where formerly the clO1des
OF iron and Of zinc employed. these of late have
not been obainable in sufficient quantities. About two
barrels of the dead oil to Of the solution have been
used in the fats larger portion Of the latter would
have been desirable could il have DC, obtained In adj
don its arrestng fermentation, the cppcras solution
acts ab>Orbaut OF Of the purgent gases
that are developed during decomposition.