The New York herald., 1878-03-25
THE CITY'S HEALTH.
Beneficial Eject of Mild Winter
Weather in The Metropolis.
A FAMILIAR MAXIM DISPROVED.
The Cause and Course Of Contagion in
Large Giles.
DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE DEATH RATE.

Among the masses of the people It has been gener
ally believed that mild winter weather in such lati
tude superinducos excess mortality, aud
hence the aphorism, accepted some OF the older
countries, "a green Christmas makes a tat grave
yard" Whether the assertion intimated in this sug
gestive phrase has received tho sanction OF
science in the north temperate zones may be
somewhat doubtful but few will dony that variations
OF climate, as to heat and cold, humidity
and dryness frequently betwocn the
longitudinal lines alluded to- The unusually
open winter just passed mas not, however, verified
the homely maxim above quoted, according TO the
statistics the Office OF the Health Departme the
average mortality during the winter months has been
below that Of the corresponding Tor the ,s
five years. 1t is we'll known to tho medical profession
that tho prevalence OF contagious diseases Is due
as much 10 cmateric as to other Causes, such, for
instance, as the hudding together Of many per-
sons under one roof, impcriectlv ventilated
rooms or perhaps no ventilation whatever, total
disregard OF hygienic laws, dissipation and other
irregularities OF living which inseparable from
existence OF the classes In all popuous
1t has been also we'll established that 'lhe time
which contagious principle begins its effects
varies from two three days several after
iebre, especially when the con,agion is Of
the kind transmssible through tho atmosphere.
The manner in which the disease spreads Is
peculiar, and often affords tho requisite
criterion OF It's contagious nature Thus IL does not
at seize upon great numbers, epidemic. or
occur In several separate points within space
at the same time, like Epidemic but spreads from
individual TO individual or from house to house. and
when a distance from the original
they often bo traced to 1t by tho intervention
OF persons fomtes Instead OF at the outset sez-
q n Or mc of N Ona
time It generally first attacks single individual and
from two or three days 10 Two three ailor-
ward several othcre almost sim multaneousiy."
BENEFICIAL CHANGE
In 1874 tho Legislature Of this state passed law
transferring tho OF contagious diseases In this
city from the jurisdiction OF the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction to that of tho Health De-
partment Up 10 that time all that the latter DEPART
had do with this character of diseases was to
remove the patient from his or her dwelling
and deliver the over to the Commission.
named. Since that period tho hospi-
tails for contagious diseases including smallpox,
has been undcr the direct management; OF the
Health Department and shows vast improve
ment both In appearance and results, over tho for
mer system Many RADICAL cpanges have been effected
the successful effort to reduce the percentage OF
mortality IN the instit tuion. IL has also been
nected by telegraph with the headquarters Of tho
Board OF Health, 50 that persons ANXIOUS to ascer.
tain tho condition OF sick relatives or friends al tho
hospital obtain such information they may re-
| aulre by calling at the Office In Mott street.
sMALLPox.
Among the principal OF the contagious diseases
smallpox, which has In former years becn attended
with comparatively great mortality In this city
stands alone In It's disiincuvcy rcpulsive nature
Under the old method OF deuling with smallpox
metropolis the disease would mako It's appeara nee,
and then perhaps spread 10 greater or less
before the proper authorities would be notified It's
| ex,steucs. The latter would then employ number
OF physicians for vaccinating purposes, the Duration
OF their services being governed by the pccuniary
| means whicn may have been IN possession
the Board at the time. The duties vi these phys,-
Clans embraced visits IRON house TO house Offering
tree vaccination TO the people ana paying special
tenton to those houses In which smallpox existed,
winch they would go through, vaccinatng every per-
son the dwelling from basement or sub-ceilar to
tho attic Tney also had to visit schools, factories
| and worKshops-in short, wherever persons
e-dy associated In largo numbers. Patients
permitted TO remain IN tnor dwsll,nss"as ia
| tho OF crowded tencmcnts-wers removed 10
the smallpox hospital on Blackwel's Island During
authorizing tho Board oI Health 10 establish perma.
nent fascinating corrs Tor tho city, una since this
corps has been At work smallpox has been gradually
on tue decrease It, OF course required some time TO
| get this body organized and placed in good working
crease and continued until 1875 during earlier
portion OF whicn year there greater nnmoer Of
|
previously Despite the exertions OF tho vaccinating
corps, the epidemic kept uD u severe form until
June. 1875 there having been reported that month
433 cases OF smallpox ln the following month mo
number OF cases uecroased TO 1863, August 10 ITO,
and IN September OF the same year to TO- In the iai
aga,n the disease increased signify, as Is always
pectcd, the cold weather Inducing people to close
their WINDOWS and thus exclude the pure nir. The
total number oil cases reported for February 1876,
was 1S9, after which The disease steadily sub
SIDED and has not reached tnat hgure
snce In January, 1877, there were but
iour cases oil smallpox reported, and The
last brought to the notice OF the Health Depart
ment occurred July 10, IN that year. since that
thtro has been an casona case at the smallpox
hospital but these havo been brought IRON quaran-
tinc BY way oil encouraging vaccination among tho
school children the Board o Health gives neat iItbo
Rraphed certificate, cd out and signed by the Pres
dent and otner members OF the Board, setting
fortn that Augustus Fizroy Lucinda Jones
"nas received the benefit OF perfect
Cinati0n" " This Is 1ound TO take with the
little ones, most OF wnom naturally SHRINK from con.
tact with the lancet lhe Board also causes to TO
banded 10 the occupants OF houses IN the nelghbor
hood oil a smallpox printed caro- notilvlDg them
oi the exact location of the and advising
head OF the lanliy TO that all the inmates OF the
house who may require IL be vaccnated Immediately.
They are also notified tnat upon application 10 The OF
fee Of the Board OF Health "A phy siclan will call
Once ut their houses Tor the purpose OF performing
gratuttOus vaccination.
DR.. James, Assistant Supcrin ndcnt OF the Health
| Department, duriug an interview VITA the HERALD
representative said d"L,st winter there were less OF
the ordinary discusses usually prevalent at that season.
| Whatever influence mud weather may exert the
careless IN the matter OF clothing themselves properly
but. "A rule, mid weather Is