90 DUST AND ITS DANGERS. 



the consumptive's lot, then such considerations 

 as have been urged in this book are worse than 

 useless. But if, on the other hand, the moder- 

 ate care and attention to cleanliness in the places 

 in which we live or which we frequent is but a 

 small price to pay for the large immunity from 

 disease which would surely follow, then the end 

 in view would seem fully to justify any pains 

 which we may take to make and keep our 

 living-places clean and wholesome. 



Many are disposed to assume that in towns 

 whose affairs are administered by dishonest or 

 careless officials the task of cleanliness in 

 houses is a nearly hopeless one, and this, in a 

 measure, is true. But we are too prone, in 

 this country, to permit ourselves to be imposed 

 upon in countless ways without protest, and 

 with a supineness or indifference which is little 

 short of disgraceful. 



There is probably no city or town in the 

 United States which need be either misgov- 

 erned or filthy, if only the respectable people 

 would intelligently unite in the assertion of 

 their rights. In the matter of dust and street 

 dirt, in which regard the city of New York is 



