New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-19
TIE ANIMAL SLAUGHTER or THE IN
NOCENTS

NOCENTS.
Some morning not very far hence we shall
all waken up out of one of these damp, chilly
Spring nights to find ourselves in the brOillng
heat of Summer The dust will begin to choke
nose and eyes and mouth, the pavement to
bake under our blistercd feet, the sky to glare
overhead like brazen looking glass; and
typhoid and cholera nfant,m take the place
of diphthcra and pneumonia. We may be
quite sure, too, that these messengers of Death
will set about their fatal work with
will. Adults and children are debili-
tated to an exceptional degree by the
sudden climatic changes and malarious lnflu-
enccs Of the Winter just past The average
physical condition of the whole people has not
graded so low for many years. Now men and
women can take care of themselves; but about
the children? Wcl-todo people, of course
know how to make every season healthy Tor
their little ones they have but to put their
hands in their pockets and transport them
here or there, wherever on the continent
is tho climate which they need. Every year
the families of this class leave town earlier
for the country seat or farm or sea-
side. The matter of scientific physical training
is in every respect better cOmprchendcd now
by educated people, and their means applied
to that end with more practical good sense and
consequent efficacy. But every year, with the
increasing changes in climate, the mortality
among poor children in the cities has been
growing more and more appalling. With all
the help which dspensarcs, free medical ser
vice, hospitals, and the wide publication OF hy-
gienic rules by the Boards Of Health could give,
the death-!ist OF infants, from one to five years
old, j. but little leSsened. No doctor nor med
icine can help II teething child poisoned with each
breath of fctid air he draws in the cellar or
reelling tcnement-house which is his home.
The free excursions, which Of course lasted but
for part of day, were great charity, but
they necessarily could be of no permanent
value so far "a health was concerned. This
Winter, too, has been an unprecedentedly severe
one upon the poor in every way as we all
know. The little children have been ill fed
and clothed and are totally without recOurses
of strength to meet the drain Of the hot season
These statements become to the wealthy citizen
who leaves town early, mere matter OF
statistics. He takes up his TRIBUNE i'll July
and August, with the cool breeze of the sea or
the Hudson blowing over the breakfast table,
Gin town is unusually high' If he could
spend a few hours in one of their foul kennels
and see the poor babies gasping for breath, and
stretching out their wasted arms for help, il
would cease to be Il matter of figures TO him.
and he w0uld thank God who sent merciiul
death to them when man had no pity.
Our suggestions last year with regard to the
establishment of cottage or other Summer hos
pitfalls for the relief OF these children, were ac-
ccplcd az we understand by several private
individuals, who supported Il few infants with
their mothers in the country long enough to
give new life to both; the plan too, has been
Incorporated in one or two of the city hOspi-
tails who have branch houses at the sea side.
But these are but partial and petty means OF
relief compared to the overwhelming sum OF
suffering. If anything is to be done more
effectively this Summer il is high time it was
begun. There are farm houses which could be
hired for small sum, 1--WE have such in Oui
minds eye now, furnished with cheap pOr-
table beds, tables, and kitchen furniture, and
a matron provided, all at the expense Of few
hundred dollars. Sea and mountain air would
do the rest There is no need of the usual
cumbrous machinery and red tape organization
of a hospital. Two or three good women to
give the money, one honest sensible one to
spend it, and the thing is done. Let the chill
dren be sent each with its mother for a fort
night or three weeks, and the child's life will
be saved, and the mother taught TO believe
that there is some practical meaning and heI
in Christianity.