The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-25
THE DIPHTHERIA DISTRICT.

STRANGE SANITARY DISCLOSURES IN BRooKLYN-
DEATH LURKING IN THE HOMES OF THE
WEALTHY.
That diphtheria. scarlet fever and pneumonia have
been particularly active in certain parts of this city
and Brooklyn during the past year is unfortunately
no to the public; but that criminal careless
ness. official stupidity and extraordinary reckless
ness on the part Of property owners are In
large measure directly responsible for the fatal
efficacy of these dread destroyers. is by no means
q pleasant reflection. Although in o certain
sense the death of pauper is of much
consequence the death of u millionnsre there
arc obvious reasons why the latter. occurring in
costly mansion where money had been lavished on
devices for protection and comfort, should attract
the greater attention. especially il it
able inference that sewer gas in any degree pre-
disposng cause. Fortunately the death Of the late
Mr.. Rockwell. In Brooklyn, was brought to the
notice Of the authorities OF the City Of Churches and
the result of official Investigation is most surprs
ing and of great public interest.
In the district bounded by Montague, Joralemon
Clinton and Furman streets live many of tho
wealthiest and oldest families in Brooklyn Furman
street along the river front and is low ground
occupied mainly by warehouses;. tracks and
cheap tenements On the Heights aboveit and in the
points, Beechers. Sorrs. Schencks. and many Of their
wealthy and lnxuriousy housed acquaintanccs. In
it are Plymouth Church. Holy Trinity Church of the
Pilgrims, Dr. Bethuncs old church, the leading Uni
tartan Church and IN fact the principal churches OF
tho city In 1t also great number OF children and not
tow adults have been carried by scarlet fever dph
liberia and pneumonia When Mr.. Rockwell's family
began to die, and one after another was carried to
Greenwood. public attention was attracted to the sew
era possible causes OF the extraordinary fatality but
no one dreamed that the death trap the trap
In milliOuuaire'S
plumbing.
WHAT THE INSPECTOR FOUND AND SAYS
The Sanitary Superintendent OF brooklyn, DR..
Joseph II. Raymond. not Ut all embarrassed by the
ambitious front OF Mr. Rockwells magnificent resi-
dence. and in way affected by the many millions
OF tho family. went systematically to work and
examined the pipes and general plumbing.
they found that SOME of the main lines of soil pipe
that continued to the roof do double duty-carry-
ing of the sewer gas and acting US rain. leaders.
One OF the pipes receives the water from 2OO
feet and during heavy rains IL filled with water
to empty every trap connected with it. The water
closet in Mr.. Iockweiis bath is attached to this
pipe and it's trap nearly emptied OF water by
its that it offers obstruction to the entrance Of
sewer gas. Mr.. Rockwell had wash basins in his
sleeping rooms and nursery, but the water pipe does
not go to the roof and the traps not ventilated
The traps do not hold water OF course the gas has
difficulty in gaining entrance. The sink waste
pipes are not carried to the roof and in fact If the
careful builder had desired to turn his house into
have devised better system OF defective plumbing.
SICKNESS NORMAL CONDITION.
That dphtheria should haunt the district alluded
to is not strange. At times the streets are strong
with sewer stencil. The houses frequently
offensive that 1t Is next to impossible to remain in
them According to superintendent Raymond the
sewers there drop almost perpendicularly from the
bank to Furman street. fall OF fifty feet. There
being traps. there is clear channel for the gas
from tho sewer. II on its way up tho pipes to the
roof the gas finds III opening elsewhere it naturally
avails itself Of it, and soon obtains access to the
sleeping apartments. While all the houses open
to this criticism the splendid mansion occupied by
Mr. Rockwells family appears to be about the worst
in its plumbing details. That the gas did obtain
in his house Is evidenced by the sad results
An extraordinary OF the inspectors report
the mention OF large tank which supplies water to
the upper floor water which the servants drink. An
analysis shows that the water contains large amount
OF organic matter and is entirely UNIT to drink Its
overflow pipe connects directly with the soil pipe,
and there Is intervening trap it would be dif
cult to suggest better way rendering the water
Indignantly offensive
The report Of DIR. Raymond has worked up Brook
Iyn to fever heat. Had it been shown that Furman
any OF the older streets the other side of
Fulton were badly severed II would not have excited
much surprise. but to ind the homes of the '.hrst
citizens ut the zenith OF disease ana the centre Of
foulness was such an unlocked for discovery that
1.-The boldest hold their breath" and well they may.
for sewer gas il not especially hcalthful
The Board OF Health has taken hold of the Rockwell
house, and the plumbers will have fresh opportu-
nifty to show how much they do and charge for.
Low II. d. Lyman and Henry L. Pierropont 1--we;
where beautiful park formerly part OF the Pierre
pont farm. borders the yard Of Simeon B. Chit
tenden. have been blown out; and Columbia Heights.
on which live President Arthur Benson, Rev. DIR.
Schenck. Henry Ward Deecher. Thomas Sherman
host of the great and good of the city, to be
thoroughly overhauled put in the best possible
order. Soon the song OF the plumber will be heard
in tho land and II the preparations really result in
anything practical and good the death OF MIR. Rock
well will not have been in vain.