414 [ASSKMBLY 



I attribute the result of these cases, mainly to the situation, manner 

 of living, and habits of the subjects. This at least was the conclu- 

 sion I recollect I came to at the time; ray attention having been 

 arrested at the fatality of cases which at first appeared likely to 

 have a successful issue, as I had often had others of a like nature, 

 terminate well under more favorable circumstances. 



The widow of the patient at 96 Sheriff-street, died last spring, 

 with fever of a low form, in the same miserable house. Subsequently 

 at this house, a quantity of water was found under the flooring. Lod- 

 gers were taken in there, and on one occasion, I found the owner, a 

 colored woman, intoxicated. 



Since her death, between one and two months ago, I attended a 

 man of similar habits with the two cases above described, in an up- 

 per room of the same house with the two last, small, dirty, and badly 

 ventilated. This also was a case of Pneumonia Typhoides, and end- 

 ed in death. 



I have had other cases in these premises at different times, and 

 some of them have been attended, (indeed I may say most,) with 

 symptoms indicating a low stale of the vital forces, and they have 

 been generally slow in convalescing. 



All these cases occurred in colored persons. The building in which 

 they w°re is only occupied by persons of this class; and most of 

 them appear to be intemperate, and of the very lowest grade — " the 

 offscourings of all things." 



On the premises, and in the vicinity, are a number of vile grog- 

 shops, at which these poor creatures obtain the means of their phy- 

 sical suff.-rings, and intellectual, moral and religious degradation, 

 and too often, it is to be feared, their final and lasting ruin. 



I rejoice, however, in stating that within a few months, a visible 

 improvement has taken place in these abodes of misery, and in some 

 of their occupants. This has been effected mainly by the health 

 warden and street inspector of the ward (eleventh). One of the 

 grogeries through their interference has been shut up, some of the 

 rooms closed, and the inmates Sent to Blackwell's Island. 



In the course of my practice, I have had many forms of disease 

 apparently caused and kept up by residence in low, dark, damp and 

 insufficiently ventilated apartments. Yet I would not exclude the 



