New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
ENFORCING THE HEALTH BOlRD'S RULE
THE PROVISION AGAINST SPLITTING ON THE
FLOORS OF sTREETCARs NOT MATTER
FOR ARRESTS


The work Of the Health Board Is largely a wo'k
OF public education" said General Emmons Clark.
the secretary OF the Beard, talking with Tribune
reporter about the recently adopted section OF the
Sanitary Code which forb.ds splitting in public
places. General Clark has been connected with ne
Beard OF Health in New-Yorll ever since It's organ.
.zation. spoke OF a rumble Of reforms which tho
Board has accomplished in a quarter Of century
by persuasive methods. Chief among them he re-
CARDS the gradual removal OF the vaults and cess
pools in the backyarls OF houses In the city. AM
o.her nuisance which required years Of persuasion 10
stop was the nuisance of raepickers. There was
great advance in cleanliness when the Health Board
finally stopped the raking over or asn-Darreis Sho
garbage-cans on the sidewalks.
More than a year physicians OF the Heaicn
Depar,ment recommended that some step be taken
20 stop the splitting the floors OF streetcars aeca'
ing that public conveyances were being mace III
strumen,al the spreading OF disease Inc mor'a'
uy from consumption IN this city has been nisn ior
many years. and the sanitarians believe that con-
sumption spread more by the sputum OF diseased
persons than in any other way. Germs OF oAe os-
ease retain their life after the sputum becomes dry
and they float in air with the fine dust from tns
foors OF streetcars and enter the lungs OF passeh-
gers in the cars who might otherwise not be exposed
70 the bacilli OF consumption.
The Health Board at first made use OF It's power
TO compel some of the streetcar companies 70 re-
MOVE textile mattings from the floors Of the cars
and substitute wooden Stats which could De taken
OUT and cleaned frequently. On May u the boaFu
adopted the following an additional section OF 1s
Sanitary Code:
Section 222spting upon The floors o. public eu.o,
foTbidden and officers in control OF all sucn oui.u.
ings cars and boats shall keep posted permanent,
in ga m public building, and each raiiroan car anu
in each ferryb0at a sufficient NUMBER OF .v ~,
bdng splitting upon Of fne cars and employees upon
ferry boats shall call the attention Oh a'' ' -
this ordinance 70 such notices
Since the adoption Of that section OF the Code
warning signs have appeared in the cars Oh se'eia'
railroad lines in the CITY, and passengers IN me CAT
have noticed 4 decided decrease In the NUMBER OF
mon who defe the floors of the cars with tooacos
Juice The notices are not always ooeseu' '
word from car conductor usually Is su'ie1en. !"
forca rho r,,le against splitting in the cars When
General Clark was asked II the Health Board h'eho'
cd 70 enforce the rule by having arrests nAoe 'es
persistent violations OF IT, he SAID
.It would be unwise 10 try to enforce the rule
bv harsh measures Ii would be considered iarsn
measure 70 drffs e Haiti Board expects 20 accom-
nlish Is the gradual education OF the puoic uP -
the , enera health az well as offensive
the sense of decency. The BoaTu mas tese'Neo "a.
doors will be posted in all public conveyances and al
nuhic buildings. Conductors in cars Will receive
.pen necessary The conductors could not make ar.
rests in cases OF violation OF the rule Ihey menS
iafinp the rule after a warning Even mat might -
considered a severe punishment fer violating INC
rule" - .s. <or . ,,,o,, ..,r
could policeman make an arrest FOR v!o.a''on
of The sec,ion?" General Clark was asked 49,,
Not unless the offence was committed N ny
sight" was the reply and Il Is not expec'si ma
the police viii arrest persons for sccn an oneIc
"Will the rule be obeyed oy consump.Ne PEI Svs
who are seized With cough when 'hey are '''"s
| In the s.reetca.s' 49,, !, .. o,-
pathoiogists declare that consumgion Is spresd eau
rSiehv by the sputum of persons afnicted win nc
| sssase or course not every person who takes ne
gcrms Of the disease into his lungs nocua'ei "rh
| Tho disease Most Of are able to throw or tlo
GEMS and escape harm. hut person Who happens
% hn susceDthle 10 the disease may contract II oy
| h,eathng air contaminated with the germs OF con,
s'mn,Ion I believe 1; would be dangerous Tor any
| n.-srrn however robust TO sleep IN a room WIN d
porsnmptlve patient be constantly exposed 10 tne
| y..r,ns ~ the disease. Within a year the Heatn
HNani has adopted the method Of ds:nfectine THOR
| auehiy every room In which consumptiVe peiso
hae died and physicians and nurses are cauonsn 20
nr.vsnt the sputm OF consumptive patients from pc
| Pne Flowed 10 remain where It Will become dry
RE only way 70 prevent the spread or the disease
| - 10 take the utmost In that respect Inc us.
.,se might be prevented IN many cases oy suiee.s
IRE and cleanliness IN the treatment; OF consumpt"s
| perSons.'