New York City: The Gilded Age of Grossness
New York City in 1885 was a place of stark contrasts. On one hand, you had the glittering skyscrapers, the burgeoning economy, and the illusion of prosperity. On the other, you had a city drowning in its own filth, quite literally.
A City Choked by Its Own Waste
Let’s talk trash. Or rather, let’s talk about the lack of trash management. Picture this: horse manure piled high on every street corner, a symphony of stench that would make a skunk blush. People were practically wading through it. It was a golden age, alright, but for flies, rats, and cholera bacteria.
The Great Stink of New York
The Hudson River, once a pristine waterway, was transformed into a floating cesspool. Industries dumped their toxic waste directly into it, and the city's sewage system was, to put it mildly, inadequate. The smell? Let's just say it was a strong contender for the world's worst perfume.
Disease: The Silent Killer
With such appalling sanitation conditions, it's no surprise that diseases ran rampant. Tuberculosis, typhoid, and cholera were the uninvited guests at every New York party. Life expectancy was significantly lower than today, and death was a frequent visitor to many households.
The Housing Crisis: More People Than Space
New York was experiencing a population explosion. People were flocking to the city in search of the American Dream, but the city wasn't ready to accommodate them. Tenement buildings, these vertical slums, were packed to the brim with families living in squalor. No sunlight, poor ventilation, and shared bathrooms were the norm.
So, What Could They Do About It?
You might be wondering, "Didn't they have any smart people back then?" Well, yes, they did, but progress was slow. It took decades of activism, political will, and technological advancements to tackle these problems.
In short, New York City in 1885 was a tough place to live. It was a city divided between opulence and abject poverty, health and disease, progress and stagnation.
How To... Survive New York in 1885 (Probably)
- How to avoid disease: Hold your breath, wear a mask (made of cloth, not N95), and pray to whatever deity you believe in.
- How to deal with the smell: Invest in a strong cologne, or just get used to it.
- How to find housing: Be prepared to share a room with strangers and possibly a few rats.
- How to make money: If you're lucky enough to have a job, hold onto it for dear life.
- How to stay sane: Find a good pub.
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