New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-24

come to the constant appearance ana dead'y
work of these familiar diseases that no i'm.
pressicn is made, no feeling OF alarm created
| The mortality statistics of this city for last
year show at a glance what are the real
scourges and how fatal they arc. Out of a
total death list Of 44.317 pneumonia was at
the head with mortality of 5.794 and phthlSls
came next with a record of 5.O05. Ii bron-
chitis be added, there is total OF l2'54o
deaths from the three allied diseases, or 20
per cent Of the entire mortality from all CAUSES
II the comparison be extended to the decade,
this percentage is slightly increased being
- II per cent Of the average mortality fro4
all sources. When the full significance Oi
these figures is appreciated, how strange ana
incyplicable is the Indifference or ignorance OF
the public regarding the real scourges OF the
town, Hundreds Of columns have been writ
ten and printed in the daily press about the
dangers from cholera and there were not more
than 6 genuine cases Of the disease III New
York last year. At the same time pneumonia,
consumption and bronchitis were accountable
FIR between one-quartcr and one-thild OF the
deaths occurring in 1892, and their ravageS
passed almost unnOtccd.
the Indifference shown by the sanitary authori-
tie, and the public for the alarming prevalence
of these terrible diseases is that they are net
ordinarily regarded as contagious or infectious.
Diphthcria, typhoid fever and scarlet fever
are dreaded on this account, although the NOR
taty from them-2.799, against l2,54o Tor
pneumonia phthiSis and bronchitis in 1892
is very much lighter. But this explanation in
wolves a possible exposition of the failure OF
medical science to diminish the mortality from
the more fatll ,c)urgcS. Because diseases like
diphtheria, typhoid fever and scarlet fever are
considered infectious or contagious they nave
received constant attention during recent
years the methods of treating them have been
greatly improved; precautions have been taken
to guard against them by systematic attempts
TO raise the standard Of house plumbing and
TO improve the sanitary condition of tenemcnts
and houses and the results Of medical prog
rcss are shown in decline of mortality from
these causes. The more fatal diseases like
pneumonia and consumption continue their
ravages undated, because medical science has
net been compelled by public opinion to master
the difficulties, TO investigate the causes and to
improve upon current methods OF treatment
We believe that when the real character OF
consumption rs contagious disease Is gen
elally recOgnizcd-physican now are strangely
to tell the truth about 1.-THE first
step will be taken toward diminishing its NOR
tality by reducing the chances of its commune
cation from the patient to others. Then there
is ground to hope for the ultimate removal OF
predisp sing causes to consumption, among
which are ovcrhcatcd houses, lack of physical
exercise i'll the open air and unnatural habits
Of Breathing. since d,phtheria is gradually
declining in consequence of scientific santa
ton of houses and improved treatment there
is warrant for believing that consumption and
pneumonia. the real scourgcS of American |
towns. in the course of another decade will |
be deprived Of their terr0IS.