New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-02
DANGEROUS CROTON WATER.
MEETING OF TIE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
L. W. MARTIN, CHEMIST OF THE BOARD OF
HEALTH, sTARTLES THE DOCTORS.

HEALTH sTARTLES TIE DOCTORS.
subject Of vital importance to the citizens Of
New-Iork was discussed ut the regular meeting Of the
section Of Public Health. Legal Medicine and Medical
and Vital statistics OF York Academy Of Medicine
last evening. In the Academy building in West Forty
,hirdst. The subject The Present sanitary
Condition OF the Croion Waters She'd" 1t was brought
to the attention of the ncon by paper the sub
jet, read by f. W. Martin. Chemist Of the Eoard Of
Health. Mr.. Martin began by describing his cxamin-
alton Of the Groom watershed last and fall.
He spent several weeks with his assistants making
thorough examination OF the water shed. His exam
nation resulted in the discovery of conditions which he
described in his paper last evening These dcov res
We're OF n startling nature that may well appall the
citizens Of Now York.
Mr.. Martin treated the subject In a calm. dis
passionate manner but in way which showed that
he thoroughly apprccat d the terrible nature OF his
discoveries. While he did not speak an alarmiSt.
his plain straightforward presentation OF the I'M
pleasant facts Of the case were truly alarming lie
said that he found tie entire watershed In bad
condition; no part OF II was free from unnatural
faint. The only natural faint due TO the peaty
boys, through which about Is per cent OF tn" water
This natural faint, hc said. was practically re-
moved from the water when II REACHED the CITY,
The great danger to the general health OF New-fork
was due entirely to unnatural taints that could and
should be removed. lie found In the Croton water
shed cowstabes. pigstys. privies hotels ana numerous
OF other sources Of impuItty. In Croton Lake TIC
found about forty pleasure boats.
People hattie III the lake and other bodies OF water
IN the CrotOn watershed In summer These sources
Of impuriy are continually contributing impurities
to the water used By the people Of this city Mr..
Martin concluded his paper by saying that the present
situation was serious. md that It was absolutely
necessary that something should be done at once.
Mr. Martins paper caused something like senSa-
ton among the physicians. DR.. Alexander hauuch
said that the entire community was In danger Inc
situation was OF such serious nature As TO make IL
necessary to thoroughly alarm the public in order
that steps might be Immediately taken to remove the
unnatural sources Of impurity that are daily pointing
the Croton water
Dr. f. G.. Janeway took n more conservative view
OF the situation. While admitting that the present
sanitary condition OF the Croton watershed was bad
he thought II not advisable to create panic or 10
alarm the public to any great extent. DR.. Janeway
reasoned that II the people OF New-lork became
greatly alarmed the condition oil the "a'"rsho
unscrupulous politicians would seize the opportunity
to spend much public money unnecessarily. lie sara
that II would be better TO first examine the 'AsB
laws for the purpose OF ascer'a!hihg "oa. couiu W
done nj once without relying upon new and eA'raNa-
CANT legislation.
Dr. Richard H. Derby. Of the ADVISORY commute"
Of the Academy Of Medicine, said that that commit
tee desired the section to appoint committee 10 reP'
to n full meeting OF the Academy on the SUBJECT ~
cordingy DR.. John ". Brannan moved nh' II 'o"''' V
he appointed for the purpose OF reporting 10 'nc
Academy the legal aspect Of the conditions nSm'p ny
N.Y. Martin and ascertain II some means couu Nv
6ov,sed IN remove the existing nuSances IN INC I"
! ion watershed without compensation 10 IN" pos
SCISSORS Of such nuisanccs. This motion Was caiiou'
and a committee appointed =,
Defore Mr. Martin read his Interesting paper ~
stephen Smith presented few amendments Whlch nc
wished 10 offer TO Assembyman kempner Dill aoolS u
| ting the Office Of Coroner in this CITY, pr. S"iul
aid that the main purpose OF Mr. Kempners o,''
| uus excellent lie would, however, change inc hue
OF the bill, which was. he said, uncohsti'u',o'ai :
The title 1t reads Is an act 10 aUon'n h,r :,
atNco Of Coroner" etc. The once OF coroner !" IN
o.Ishnshed by tile constitution could no' Dr. Sn,,l
| cid he abolished by Of legislature Dr. snlli .
9,nnndment makes The title read An ac' 10 'iisicl
cer,an duties now performed by The coroner 10 ,h
Board Of Health lie would also establish b"u h %
innucst TO be composed Of physicians aPlriI..'u ny
iH N"nrd Of HEALTH and would require ne rorohcrr
10 be a qualified LAWYER. DR.. A. + Wc' OIL o,
Tho Coroners oiice said thaIhc thought Inc pr'seI
laN. was ali right. and should not be cnane"d. IT
mari in The discussion. a commite" was appointed 10
| examinc Assemblyman k"mpuers OIL aiiu i'P0i' !"
| tho section It's next meeting.