New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-17
DISEASE WIDESPREAD.
BAD SANITARY CONDITIONS, PHYsI-
CLANS SAY, CAUSE TUBERCULOSIS.

Conditions truly alarming, and to be remedied
only by radical reforms in the construction Of
and sanitary arrangements in, the tenement
houses Of this city were brought to light yester-
day afteIn at the first public hearing of the
State Tenement House Commission. which was
held in the Assembly Hall of the United Chart
ties Building. Fourth ave. and Twenty
The subject Of yesterdays hearing was THE
Relation of tuberculosis to the Tenement House
Problem and a number of Witnesses most of
them physicians working among the poor in
the tenement house districts heard
The first witness, Dr.. John H. Pryor. of Buff
falo said that practically there was neither
light nor fresh air in the NewYork tene-
ment houses. There We're probably twenty thou
sand consumptives in this city. The majority Of
the people living in the tenement houses had
tuberculosis in some form. There was no place
provided where a consumptive could go for treat
ment if he is without money He said that in
every tenement house there should be at least
six hundred cubic feet of air for each inmate.
This, if often changed would be sufficient II not
often changed, insufficient. Some tenements
were infected that they ought TO be de-
molished. There should be legislation prohibit
ing the building of tenement houses on twenty
five foot lots.
He said one of the largest items of expense to
the Department OF Charities came from the sur
vivo-s Of persons dying from tuberculosis. as
most deaths of this disease were in the years
between eighteen and thirty-fve, when the pa
tent was the breadearner. 1t would be cheaper
to provide some place where consumptives could
be treated. as the disease of late had been
proved to be durable
The next witness DR.. Herman NJ. Biggs,
who as consulting physician of the Health De
partment, has given this subject great deal of
attention He said there about nine thou
sand deaths from consumption in this city an
nually. The causes of tuberculosis resulting in
death in many were the unsantary
conditions in the tenements, the overcrowding.
the poverty of inhabitants and the infection Of
the houses themselves. He specified certain
blocks in the lower part of the city where the
death rate from the disease as forty to every
one thousand inhabitants annually. In Cherry
st. were three houses within 40 feet Of one an
other Where in the last four years twenty-five
persons had died in each These were bad enough
10 be demolished. but were still standing He
recommended change in the construction of
tenement houses. More fresh air and more light
Were required. The danger from tuberculosis
was greater than the danger from fire. and no
restrictions should be placed in the way of erect
sanitary and rents still so cheap as to he within
the reach Of the poor. Fireproof regulations and
limits in the height Of structures should be
Withdrawn in order to secure the construction
of such dwellings for the poor
Among other witnesses heard DR..
Fraenkel manager of the United Hebrew Char
tiles; DR.. Anna Daniels. of the New-York In
Urinary for Women and DR.. S. Knopf. Other
hearings Will be conducted in this city No
Venlber 23, 26. % and possibly on other dates.