Back in the gay nineties, spitting was so commonplace on sidewalks and streetcars that health
officials sent out public notices that the deliciously fetching practice could spread lethal diseases, especially tuberculosis, a leading cause of death in crowded, dank neighborhoods.In 1896, New York became the first city in the nation to outlaw “expectorating,” as the practice was daintily called in the day. Signs went up on public transportation and other spitting hot spots, warning of arrest and a $500 fine. But the new ordinance generated controversy and
wasn’t always taken seriously (much like Mayor Bloomberg's non-smoking maxim, although his holds no proof of any public health hazard). A 1910 New York Times article reported, “In New York, of the 2,513 arrested, 2,099 were convicted, with one of every seven escaping." Total fines reached $1,936.80, an average of less than $1 per fine.
On the other hand, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle wrote in 1896—before New York adopted the law—that not allowing people to spit might be dangerous, suggesting, "No law can be made strong enough to prohibit public expectoration. The health of the individual might often suffer from such restraint." Offering an alternative: "It is easy for the many who must spit to do so in the street instead of on the sidewalk."
On the other hand, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle wrote in 1896—before New York adopted the law—that not allowing people to spit might be dangerous, suggesting, "No law can be made strong enough to prohibit public expectoration. The health of the individual might often suffer from such restraint." Offering an alternative: "It is easy for the many who must spit to do so in the street instead of on the sidewalk."
Images courtesy Ephermeral New York.
Interesting post! I think spitting was a 19th C. socially acceptable reality. "Spitoons" were commonplace objects in public spaces. Then came the 20th C. with more congested enclosed spaces,Back in the 19th C. chewing tobacco contributed to the need to spit. With the discovery of germs and advanced knowledge abut how diseases spread, spitting prohiition reflected an advancement of medical science.The anti smoking laws
ReplyDeletefall within the same realm.Such are the realities of humans living in close quarters. I'll spit to that!