New-York tribune., 1884-11-15
WORK OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
TALKS WITH SEVERAL VETERAN OFFiC!ALs-MAk-
ING TIE CITY HkALTNFUL.

TALKS WITH SEVERAL VETERAN OFFIC!ALs-MAK-
ING THE CITY HEALTHFUL
The rapid spread of cholera in Paris has caused
some surprise in the Health Department of this
city, and there is a belief among the Older members
of the department that the city cannot escape the
scourge next year. 1t is well-establised fact that
the disease follows the regular lines of travel
There is reason to fear that sporadic of cholera
NAV appear in New-York this winter, and that
the germs of the disease may create havoc in the
city early next summer The summers OF 1883 ana
1854 were unusually healthy, the death rate IN
this city being low each season on account OF the
favorable weather A hot summer next year may
put this city in condition of great danger and help
to spread the cholera in all tenement house districts
Sanitary Superintendent Day said yesterday
ave are not scared at the probable advent of
cholera, yet shall be sorry To have It come. Inc
last epidemic of cholera in this city was well
handled, and we profit by the experience OF
tnat tire believe that New-York is in a better
condition than Paris is to-day Since the days
of tine Empire the sanitary conditions of Paris are
said to have become worse gradually. In case of
an epidemic bere believe the Health Department
would be sustained better by the public than
would the department of any other city of the
same size People in the tenement house districts
have become accustomed to obeyng the necessary
regulations of the Board of Health. and they
would not think OF opposing he measures which
it might be proper to take in cholera season.
PUTTING THE CITY IN GOOD CONDITION.
"What precautions are beng taken now in view
of the probable arrival of cholera in the city at an
early day 2" The TRIBUNE reporter inquired.
awe are doing all that can be done at present to
put the city in a condition of safety. One lmpor
tant element of safety is cleanliness in tenement
houses The sanitary inspectors have been directed
to make thorough inspections of such houses.
especially those occupied 10y the Italians and Poles.
and to report what can be done Immediately in the
way of improving their sanitary condition. Then
we are constantly anayzing the water from sunken
wells in the city, and are taking measures to
prevent the of such wafer as is found to be
impregnated with sewage. We engaged also in
a war of determination against the vaults in the
city which become sinks of corruption if they are
not watched aud di,intcctea regularly"
How many such vaults are thercY"
"Thousands upon thousands of them. special
inspection in 1851 showed that there at that
time II G76. Probably about 10000 remain yet.
The law for years has prohibited the construction
OF such vaults but to get rid of the old ones
we have to resort to the due forms Of law III nearly
every case Many prOpcrty-Owncrs are stubborn
in their refusal TO substitute sluks even where
there proper sewer connections. because OF the
expense. and III numerous cases we have to wait
for months for sewers tObe built before
pei the owners OF property TO NIL up the vaults
" How can the danger from tniS source III -
cholera epidemic he averedP
"Only by extraordinary vigilance and by
thorough dsInfccton. We shall be liberal iii the
OF the best disnfectants, not only in vaults,
but also houses aud street cutters. If there is
epidemic of cholera
QUARTERS FOR CHOLERA Patients.
Said DIR. James, the veteran assistant sanitary
superintendent, who has charge of the hospital
service Of the department: " The buildings now
under the control of the Board of Health are
capable of holding from 200 to 300 patients If
cholera comes to the city at all it will come like
an avalanche. and probably shall have time
enough 10 provide extra accommodate ions for
cholera patients before such quarters are needed
My belief Is that We shall not have any eases of
the disease III this city tins fall. The mean teinper
aturc OF Ncw-lork is about the same AS thnt of
London. The spread OF cholera IN Paris may Le
accounted for by the warmer temperature of Paris
Cholera IS hot weather disease"
Colonel Emnons Clark. secretary of the Board
of Health, said that few cases of cholera in the
city this fall probably would prove blessings in Dis
guise Public sentiment III favor of Tciaoying
vaults and other sources of danger wouId I,e
aroused. real sense of peril To the community
he thought would lie more beneficial than MANY
proclainations. The Health Department could do |
little effective WORK in staying an epidemic unless II
had an intelligent and vigorous public support
WHAT IIEAT TIL OEEICIP SMITH SAVc