The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-05-17
ASTORIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
DANGERS on sTREET swEEprNG.


Recent disclosures of the rapid and extensive
spread of tuberculosis and other diseases among the
street-sweepers of New York city not only confirm
suspicious long entertained by physicians and others
but show the rayages of the noxous germs to be far
more serious than any one had previously supposed
says the Brooklyn Standard Union. As related in
that journal few days ago one Of the city medical
examiners make the astonishing statement that a
third of Commissioner Noodbury's entire force are
afflicted with consumption. about three eases day
average coming 10 light which amount to about
1900 cases year. This is certainly very alarming
condition calling for heroic remedies for il must be
remembered the white wings were mostly healthy
men when originally appointed, all Of them being
compelled to pass thorough physical examination,
and the majority of them have served less than SIX
years it is plain the deadly tuberculosis germs must
have been inhaled while sweeping the streets DR.
Woodbury., though he himself processes to believe
the case is not bad as reported has ordered thor
ough investigation and physical examination Of all
the $4,000 street-sweepers and drivers, which viii
take at least Is days. and he is also searching for
dsinfectant to be used in street sprinkling which
shall be neither too expensive nor poisonous nor cor
rosive In itself.
But the dangers of street-sweeping are not con-
fined to the "white wings They threaten every
passerby and in lesser degree all inhabitants Of
the city for the germaden dust aseends and enters
the noStrs of pedestrians and passes through every
open window in the immediate neighborhood, as the
housewife who daily dusts her furniture can con-
vincingly testify Every preventive or remedy that
can be devised should be utilized, for the sake Of
the public as well as the streetsweepers In the case
Of the latter would not the danger of infection be
considerably reduced by the use of some suitable form
of respiratori If the wearing Of screen Of gauze or
fine wire over the mouth and nostrils would really
prevent minimize the nhaling Of dsease-breeding
germs the question of cost should not be considered
except 50 far as to avoid oyercharging cheating
for the saving Of health and life cannot be measured
IN dollars The fact that many pedestrians instinct
lively cover their mouths with pocket handkerchief
while passing a cloud Of dust Is presumptive proof
of the value of such precautiOn, and it would be |
wise for DR. Woodbury. to seriously consider it. The
health department, DIR. Darlington says, is working
hard TO find chlorine or other disinfectant which
shall be effective and yet cheap enough to be used in
the enormous quantities required and it would seem
that another safeguard would be the use of closed re-
ceptaces to gather the dust instead Of scattering
large part of it to the winds In fact the streets
should always be sprinkled before sweeping, if only
with salt water, which in itself would be potent
purifier. Frequent and systematic examination of
the street sweepers should also be insisted upon, so
that the contraction Of disease may be discovered
its early and durable stages New York can not and
must not expose its servants and citizens to deadly
peril which can be avoided by the resources Of civil
zation and modern science, no matter what the cost