PODCAST · history

City That Was

by Stephen Smith

Dive into City That Was, a captivating exploration of the public health revolution that reshaped New York City in the nineteenth century. Written in 1911 by Stephen Smith, an influential surgeon and public health pioneer, this work not only chronicles the transformation of New York but also reflects on the sanitary challenges faced by cities around the globe. Smith presents a compelling narrative of a monumental social revolution—one of the most significant of the nineteenth century and a critical moment in the history of civilization. Chapter four, New York The Unclean, serves as the powerful core of this insightful account. Join us as we uncover the story of a great life-saving movement through the eyes of a key figure who witnessed it all.