The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-04
The Health OF the Summer.

Except for tho great loss OF life by the
Park place disaster, the mortality OF tho
town last week would have been unusually
small for the season. II was below the
average for the corresponding week for five
years past. The death rate for the whole
month Of August was also moderate, warm
, and sultry though the weather was almost
continuously.
The terrible summer mortality OF the past
due chiefly to the death OF children under
i've years OF age from diarrh9al diseases. Is
never equalled now. A great and sudden
increase In the heat extending over several
days In succession sends up the death rate
% matter Of course. but in no single week
during the recent summer did 1t reach the
height which was attained frequently in
former years. This gratifying decline az
fords indisputable evidence Of better sani-
tary regulations and conditions for the
climatic conditions average tho same. 1t
indicates that the town is cleaner and that
the Health Department is conducted moro
skilfully and moro efficiently.
In other words, 1t proves that the town is
better governed. As tho result OF this i'm
provement the lives OF thousands Of young
children were saved during the past sum-
mer. Yet never before was the Health
Department managed so quietly and with
30 little attempt to court public observation.
It has not tried to parade It's dongs in the
newspapers, but by moro systematic organ
ization and superior executive ability 1t has
performed Its functions more satisfactorily
than in the days when Its conduct received
the most flattery. Never before has the
department charged with the cleaning Of
the streets been assaulted more severely from
Mugwump quarters but the increased
healthfulness bears witness to the efficiency
OF its management. 1t is perhaps doing
as we'll as 1t Is possible for it to do with the
money at its command. Moreover. under
the present municipal administration the
pavements OF the streets have been improved
greatly and rapidly. and the improvement
betters the general sanitary condition. In
every respect New York Is going ahead
under strictly Democratic government.
The statistics OF mortality show also that
the health OF the town has not suffered from
Impurities In the Croton water, though 1t Is
indisputable that these exist to some extent.
Considering the source OF our water supply.
It lie reasonable to expect them. and rs that
region increases In population they are like
ly to be more rather than less. Yet the last
month was remarkable for its small NOR
tality from typhoid fever. The number
OF cases Of the disease was less than usual
at that season. There was no sign OF an
epidemic OF any kind In the city nothing to
indicate that the water supply is provocative
Of disease. Apart from the heat and hui
mildly. the town was distinguished for its
hellthfulness. The pollution Of the Croton
water accordingly furnishes no present
cause OF alarm. Even II danger comes
from 1t, the evil day is yet far of, and it
will not arrive until the precautions taken
against 1t shall be much more elaborate and
effective.
New York has passed through the sum-
mer OF 1891 with death rate so low and
an average OF health so high, considering the
heat and humidity. as to indicate decided
and most gratifying improvement in the
regulation and government OF the town.