The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Danger From EXpectorating
in Public Places.

4 stringent Inv Enforced i'm New
YorI.-Iow Disease Spreads From
the sputum-PIeading for n Fruit
stand Current Notes of Interest.
- CORRESPONDENT of the Commissioners.
signing himself. "A Citizen" has called
the attention OF the board to the crusade
now going on in New York City against
expectoratiou in public places. 1t appears
that a-stringent law has been enacted for
that city upon the subject, and that sew
eral arrests have been made and several
persons romandcd for trial under the
law II convicted. these viii be lined ac-
cordiuc to the nature of the offence
Citizen also submits a statement of
pr John Is. Crosby, Commissioner Of the
Board of Health. in defence of the law
and relative TO the dangers of promiscu-
Gus expectoration on the sidewalks and
elsewhere. With reference to the latler
subject. DR. Crosby says:
1t is a well-kuown fact that most OF
the diseases of the respiratory tract in
Guiding diphJheria, measles, scarlet FEVER
pneumonia, tuberculosis influenza, and,
probably, all forms of acute bronchitis
are the result of the action of germs
respiratory organs. 1t has been shown
also BY recent Investigations that in
many instances these germs are present
for long periods OF time during convalesc-
ence from these diseases in the mucous
secretions and in mild and unrecognized
cases.
''Through splitting in public convey
ances. on sidewalks. station platforms of
elevated railways, in public buildings,
etc the germs producing these diseases
are widely disseminated and are constant
ly tracked into the houses on the soles OF
shoes, and by means of the trailing skirts
of women, which have been soiled by the
expectoration. These considerations from
public health viewpoint are quite sui
ficient in themselves to justify the en-
actment of stringent regulations prohib-
iting the practice, aside from the nlthi-
ness of the habit and the public nuisance
which those who practice it become.
AS showing the great importance OF
this relation TO only one disease, II may
he mentioned that in the Borough of Man
haitian during the last year there were
over 5000 cases of tuberculosis reported,
and it is corservatively estimated that at
least 10000 cases of this disease exist in
the Borough OF Manhattan, and the vast
majority Of these latter. in the infectious
streets OF the city eNpector&tlng on the
sidewalks. in public conveyances, and
wherever il may be convenient.
1t is not necessary TO emphasize the
dangers which arise in this way through
the 1lisso mination Of the tubercule Dacli-
Ii which are the cause of this disease, ana
which are contained in the eNpectoratlon
in almost incredible numbers. 1t has
been estimated ,faL one person IN the ac-
tie stage OF the malady may discharge
not less than 5,uOJ, 200 OF these IN the
"a
hours The department of health mas long
emphasized the fact that tuberculosis Is
communicable and distinctly preventahle;
that il is not directly inherited, but is
produced solely through its transmission
from some human being or animal sur
fering with IL. by means OF the germs
thrown of in the diseased tissue.
The danger from this disease Is even
greater because the large majority of
cases are among the poor in the over
crowded, badly NeEtilated tenementS, ana
among the laborers in the Workshops
printing offices, sweat shops, and stores
of-the city Through the presence OF such
large numbers OF cases and the lack OF
precaution in regard to the disposal 81
the eNpectoration. the streets and Iublic
convevances. floors of public buildings,
spread. through the drying and puiveriZ-
ing OF the sputum. floating in the air as
dust
The Commissioners have referred the
communication to the Health Department
for consideration and report, with es-
pe-iaI reference to what may be done 10
lessen the evil Of promiscuous eXpectora-
ton on the sidewalks, streets, ana pupilc
places in Washington.