The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-04
Death i'm the House.

There has been in the popular mind more
OF lamentable ignorance and cupablc indif-
ference regarding the sanitary condition OF
dwellings than on any other topic of like
importance. Even among scientific men
positive knowledge on this subject has been
attained only by long continued experiment
and tardy accumulation of fact. In the two
particulars Of effective drainage of our
homes and exclusion from them of the dele
terious gases arising from the sowers-mat-
tors vitality concerning the preservation OF
health-innumcrabe difficulties have arisen
from the discovery of new physical laws
and peculiar influences, necessitating the
modification Of prcconccvcd theories. Prog
rcss has consequently been slow, and has
been embarrassed by the absence of intell-
gent and Interested cooperation on the part
of householders and builders.
Builders, as a rule, are not progressive.
For Them whatever Is Is we'll enough and IL
is always best to let we'll enough alone.
Each new discovery of science requiring a
little more care or expenditure from them,
or even a change Of their accustomed meth
DDS, they are wont to look upon as simply
an annoying device to aid a pretcncc of uso-
fulncss on the. part Of sanitary authorities.
There has been. and there must still be-,
waged n constant conflict with them and
their accompliccs, the plumbers, to enforce
the trapping and ventilation Of drain pipes
and the proper construction OF sewers.
When compelled TO outward respect for the
law, they still, seemingly, from sort OF OBJ
stinate antagonism, persist in doing their
work in such an imperfect manner as, In
great measure, to nullify the good effect of
the appliances they are forced toaccept. Inn
perfectly calked joints, the improper use
OF good materials, and the wilful substitu-
ton of bad ones especially whore their
work is concealed from inspecton-are their
customary sins. The highest medical au-
thoritics are agreed as to the inevitable re-
suits of such disregard Of sanitary laws as Is
| but too common. They aver that the sewer
gases so abundantly supplied to our homes,
through the reckless ignorance or wilful
dishonesty Of plumbers, directly originate
deadly malarous fevers, and indirectly in
duce fatal results in various malades not In
themselves SO caused. Little children are
the most numerous victims Of these inilu-
cnces, and it is beyond question that hun
dreds of lives are thus annually sacrificed
In New York.
Perhaps more stringent laws and their
more vigorous application to culpable
plumbers, builders. and owners OF unhealth-
full dwellings might be advisable. But
without resortng to further legislation II
people will generally attend to the thorough
| enforcement OF such sanitary regulations as
we already have, much Of this evil can be
corrected We are sure that the law en-
powers the authorities 10 compel whatever
repairs shall be found necessary to render
houses hcalthful, II the unhealthiulness
OF such buildings Is made known to the
Board Of Health. 1t is, therefore, one Of the
highest duties 81 every tenant, for the pres
crvation OF his own life and of the lives OF
those nearest and dearest TO him, IL
promptly make complaint to the Board of
Health OF any defect in his dwelling of
which he may be cognizant, or which he
may have reason 10 suspect. An official in
spcction must Immediately follow, without
cost to him. and, II an evil exists, an order
will be issued n the landlord for its remedy
II that order is not at once obcycd, let the
tenant send To the board o notification OF
the fact, and legal compulsion will at once
be employed upon the landlord Al for
those who live In their own houses, it is 10
It uOltu llltl ti'li Ttii-litiNNAs Wh'h Ai'g
properly understand the Importance OF this
matter, will be sufficient IN impel them u
immediate action In their own behalf.
This is the season in which the dangers
from sewer gases are most to be apprchcnd
ed. Our houses are generally closed as
tightly as possible against the cold air; the
heat in our rooms tends to draw in from
every defective Connection with the sewers
their deadly atmospheric poison, and there
are in the multiplied changes and perilUu'
conditions Of the weather, increased prcdis
posing causes Of disease that by this inllu
cnce are rendered malignant and fatal
Enough has been published recently in thes'
columns to show how insldious these gases
are, how difficult Of detection, and how Ger
tain in their evil effects. II only remains FOL
our people to apply for their own benefit thu
information and advice which have beef
offered them.