New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-10
DANGER IN CRUrON WATER.
BADLY POLLUTED. SAY PHYSICIANS.
REPORT TO TIE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE-OP

REPORT TO TIE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE-OP-
POSING A LEGISLATIVE BILL.
The present sanitary condition Of the Croton
watershed with the best remedy for the evils ex-
istng there and threatening the health of this city, was
the subject taken up and discussed by the New-forK
Academy OF Medicine at Its special meeting held In
the academy last evening Dr. ID. B. St. John Roosa,
president OF the academy. presided The special meet
ing had been called at the request Of the Committee
Of Conference with the Board OF Health ana the
section Public Health etc. Of the academy to
receive the reprt Of an Inspection OF the Croton
watershed by DIR. I. NJ. Cheesman and a report on
the legal measures to be taken to correct existing
abuses In the sanitary condition Of the Croon water
shed by the committee Of the section Public Health,
etc.
DIR. Cheeseman's report, which Of considerable
length. contained a startling enumeration OF the evils
existing In the Croton watershed. His paper was
confirmation OF the report made to the section In
public health etc. by DR.. Martin, the chemist to
the Board Of Health, on February %. DR.. Chees-
mans paper at length OF the sources
Of pollution In the Croton watershed The condition
OF affairs at Brewster appears to be specially bad
The east branch OF the Croon River flows through the
village which has population OF about 5000. The
stream Is continually receiving impurities from the
village OF Brewster. Drains and sewers empty their
polluted contents into the stream. Slaughter houses
and other COMMUNICATIONS add to the general pollution
Besides. there hotels, railroad station, grist
mill, blacksmith shop, cate.recevIng yard,
the drainage from all going straight into the water
used by the citizens OF Ncw-York. The principal
poutions found by DR.. Chcesman to come from
sewer pipes, dwellings and surface drainage. In
closing, he said:
II cholera to this country In the spring or
summer. H. extremely probable scattering case are
Just to among prisons using the closets
which empty directly Indirectly into our drinking
water anywhere cse Infection Of the Croton voter
with the Of Asatie cholera may produce suca
cqucnces that known 10 science could
prevent great coomity. matter how well equipped
Board Of Health might be. or how well able ~
control the spread Of the disease from personal contact
We that drinking water is polluted by human
excremcnt. ana but believe that the germs Of
Asatic cholera possibly access q II bfors m,ny
months have Iasscd II We have right u collect and
store the Croton watershed and conduct 1t
the city for cannot Justly he denied the
right 10 protect and preserve It's purity.
Tie report Of tho committee appointed TO Inquire
as TO the legal to be taken TO correct cx-
listing abuses read The discussion OF the TWO
reports then followed and was general. DR.. Martin.
OF Board Of Health. was unable TO be present.
Dr. f. g. Janeway began the discussion by saying
that while there could BE- doubt Of the ACCESSIBILITY
OF getting rid OF the sources OF pollution there was
some question as TO the means 10 DC employed lie
then spoke OF the bill authorizing the Commissioners OF
Public Works to purchase land in the watershed
ave are told now said DIR. Janeway that
cholera threatens us and that the only remedy Is
law giving one man. the Commissioners OF Public
Works tie privilege Of buying land. ] nave no
doubt that the Croton watershed could be protected
without such wholesale buying Of land as Is conten-
plated
rr. r. Mitchell Prudden then read short paper
IN the subject which was In part rs follows: "ha'
this city needs then. Is. In my oplnion-hrs', con
sIs,ent plan approved by sanitary experts ior '"O
safe disposal Of town sewage In the watershed ana
legal and financial power 10 carry such plans INTO
.rec, second such legislation as shall forbid under
compelling penalties Individual pollution oil 'W
vo,er and an honest and efficient enforcement OF
that legislation Finally the city h'Fu'
the power and means 70 "'q"r''
under proper safeguards Of individhai ne"S,
such real estate may, In the OPINION OF competent
sanitary engineers and experts, be necessary 10 pro
t.ct the water after the sewage problems sa'i nave
been 80 far rs possible. solved By the more simPi'
and eGectiv. measures which sanitary science has
made known. To mike safe and Wholesome again
the water supply OF this great city no doubt requires
Intelligence care, special sanitary knowledge. legal
and financial power, vigilance and honesty JUST
here We should forget that familiarity WIN letters
With business with law, with medicine win account
any mans opinion On such sanitary problems as these
valuable nor does 1t justify him In assuming tn.
functions of sanitary Expert, or OF lmagc o. what
is necessary for the protection q the public health
The bill now pending In The legislature was severely
@,0son while no substitute b was prepared it
generally agreed that the power 70 purchase lhlu
the S. .sna1y EXPERT. 'ho p S paper
accepted report for the committee nii q com
% Vs s0n iasdS Of DFi THOMSON aSi H'i
Derby as IF s 81 10 has 'I pss r As
sembv. The committe" win probably go to Albany
to-day.