New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-16
CONSUMPTION FROM STREET DUST.

CONSUMPTION FROM SIREEI DCSi'
A statement has been made within the last
few days that from one-ifth 10 one-third Of the
men employed in cleaning the streets or TINS
city contract tuberculosis. II this Is at all
worthy of belief, il would appear that street
cleaning is fully as dangerous as the manu-
facture of white lead for paint, or matches IN
whose production phosphorus is employed, ana
perhaps that of gunpowder. Sanitarians have
for years been familiar with the fact that aust
indoors and out usually carries win II the
germs of many diseases, and 10 notable de-
gree those of pulmonary consumption, whlch
are accounted for by the careless eXpectorauoh
of sufferers from tuberculosis. Every one VINO
goes about the streets on a windy day IS liable
TO inhale scores. perhaps hundreds, OF these
mischief makers. The notion that street sweep
ers are exposed 10 this peril 10 a greater degree
than the majority OF other people is COMPARE
lively new development, hut II is perfectly in
telligible. Moreover il adds new reason for
the adoption of such preventive measures as
may be found 10 he practicable.
Ii the workmen employed by the Street Clean
ing Department were the only persons whose
health is impaired by breathing dusty air, pos
sibiy a mask could be devised for their use
that would filter out the visible particles 10
which the germs adhere. precaution more
far reaching in its effect however. is desirable
The New-YOrk Medical Journal" IN its latest
issue recommends a more general sprinklng
of the streets before they are swept. II de-
cares that such IS the practice in many foreign
cities, and it imputes TO that usage the fact that
I'm Berlin for example, the street sweepers
show smaller percentage of illness and death
from pulmonary consumption than other classes
of laborers Here is unquestionahy n clew
of great value The suggestion may not be
altogether novel but # is eminently rational
nd 70 lo f,I fn
American city.
DR.. Darlington, the present Health Commits
sioner. was recently credited with having con-
sidered the wisdom Of going a step further
He is said to have contemplated the possibility
OF securing the addition of a cheap germicide
TO the water used in street sprinkllng. Wetting
the pavements would cause the microbes 20
adhere 10 the pavements, temporarily at least
but If they could be killed outright those who
ride or walk in public thoroughfares would
enjoy a still greater immunity. Dr. Darlington
had in mind the scheme which DR.. Moore, Of
the Bureau of Plant Industry in Washington
has recommended means of Kidding water
o. algm and typhoid bacill. Until the efficacy
end safety Of that plan have been independent
ly established it is not likely that it will be
tried in New-Yorb. hut DIR. Darlington is clearly
alert 10 its possibilities. Should it he recsrded
expedient 10 put enough sulphate Of copper into
the city reservoirs TO produce the desired effect
the drivers of the sprinkling wagons could
continue 10 fill their tanks, as they do now.
from the nearest hydrant. IT, on the other
hand the authorities should deem it injudlcious
TO Introduce chemicals into the main sources Of
supply, it might nevertheless he practicable 10
provide special facilities for furnishing water
for street cleaning purposes that had been
properly treated. In that case, of course. Il
would be feasible TO employ a stronger solution
than otherwise.
1t is gratifying to know that the Health De-
partment is looking at the matter In all ifs
bearings. Whatever be the policy finally adopt-
ed in regard TO germicides there is every reason
for making generous use Of city water for
sprinkling purposes without delay.