New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-03

Of these large cities into groups the in
creased per cent of mortality among the in
FAINT population ia made more apparent. The
later period, too, corresponds TO the rapid
growth and consequent crowded condition
of the poor, and the two periods stand in
the relation of cause and effect.
In the city of Baltimore, in the board OF
health reports for TIE years 1850 to 1850, in
elusive, and the years 1862. 1863, 1856 and
whom 5000 were children under FIVE years
Of age, which is 1854 per cent of the whole
mortality for the period named.
In Washington city the published health
reports for lS49, 1892 and 1853 record 2y!s
deaths, of which 1876 We're Of children IN
der five years OF age, which is i6.ii per
cent Of the total mortality.
In the city of Cincinnati the health re-
port for 1868 records 1922 deaths. Of Which
1891 were children under five years OF age,
which is 46 6S of the total mortality.
In Rhode Islald.-The registration re-
ports Of this State for the years 1852. 1873,
1854, 1864, 1865, 1867. 1868. 1870 and ISL. or
for nine years, record 22.9i3 deaths. W
this number 1893 were of children unGer
five years of age. which is 34.l6 per cen! OF
the whole mortality.
In the city of Providence the health re-
ports from 1876 to 1870 record, not inciud'
ing still births, lG, 203 deaths. OF this NUN.
Der G230 were children under five years OF
age, which is 3s.t5 per cent OF ne 'ola'
mortality. DR.. Edwin NJ. Snow. n his re-
port for 1870, shows that there has been q
gradual and steady decline ii the death
rate of children under five years OF age 10
the whole mortality in Providence from
1856, when it WAS 1871 per cent, until 1917,
when it was 1912 per cent. And covering
a period of thirty-one years the decedents
in Providence were 30,lG7. OF whom II go
were children, with an average percentage
for children under five years Tor this period
of 80 70. This result is wholly attributable
to the enforcement OF good hygienic cegu-
lations.
In the city Of st. Louis the health report
for 1871 records CG70 deaths. OF these 3io9
were of children under five years OF age,
which is 5i.io per cent of the Whole NOR
tally.
So uncorcerned have been the conserva-
tors Of public health in the United States
that complete files of the reports OF the
boards OF health Of different cities, for any
considerable length OF time, are rare; there
is, however, sufficient evidence 20 war
rant the conclusion that more extensive
data would be simply cumulative OF the
extent Of the evil.
!.
this frightful rate OF mortality among the
young is not equally great in the smaller
towns and in the rural districts OF the
United States. Indeed, the heaithtulness OF
the country as compared with the cities IL
in such marked contrast in this respect that
instead OF the percentage OF all deaths be-
ing greater under five years OF age, as N
crowded cities, the percentage is largely re-
verseG; and even wLer the aggregate NOR
IN ~ ho Y'Di%aG faf cIpSidecpi
the comparatively small mortality among
children in the rural districts is sufficient to
on ercome the untavOrable percentage of
cities in this respect, and presents the fol
lowing results, as shown by the three last
United States decennial census reports:
Aggregate Under FIVE Per cent under
Census rS s5f yeS5s: years :.
Eco : s: &C i !ss, s :f .s
1t is, therefore, fair to infer from these
figures, which confirm individual expe.
renee. that there are causes operating IN
cities, unfavorable to tie health and lives of
that do not exist, or manifest them
selves SO disastrously, in the country. The
causes that eufeeble or destroy human lite
in infancy are so NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
moral and unhygienic-anda are so constant
ly referred to in health reports, as to be pa
tent to all rejecting minds. and TO require
no enumeration in this connection.
That considerable percentage Of the IL
fantile mortality of cities could be prevent
ed under more favorable circumstances, is
the settled conviction, not only OF phys-
clans, but of all persons who have given
any thought to the subject.
A great part OF this avoidable mortality
occurs in what is known as the cheated
term Ia period of special dread to parents
in cities with children under two and half
or three years of age). comprising the
months Of June. July, August and Septem
Der. Whenever the thermometer rises and
remains for any considerable length of
time above so, arrangement Of digestion
among infants living in such an atmos.
phere, is very liable to occur. Milk and
all animal substances used as food, rapidly
ieteriOrate in quality in high temperature,
and unless great care is taken, become |
unfit diet for infants. An infants stomach |
s particularly susceptible, and the child,
~ its sutterings. will speedily show the bad |
Elects of the least departure from pure,
resh and wholesome food or water. Per. |
,istence in the use of food that has once
,aused disordered digestion is sure to de- |
7elop cholera infantu1n or some other grave |
iorm of disease. High temperature Is |
recognized as one Of the chief !
provoking causes Of diseases of stomach |
md bowels. particularly among children
lnder two years of age, whether nursed |
It the breast or artiticially fed. These dis |
Eases in their inception, are frequently |
mere disturbances OF digestion, caused by |
he debility consequent on excess of heat
IT by the deteriOrat ton of food, or the UI- |
uitableness of diet.
According to the weekly mortuary re- |
'orts of our large cities the diseases |
# this class alone are referred TO
IS the cause OF about twenty-five per cent of
ii deaths occurring during the sum
ner months; and the mortality among
hildren under five years of age |
rom stomach and bowel troubles, in
curtin to one-half over tie other months of
he year.
AS heat seems to be the constant attend
mt. if not the chief cause, Of the summer
Omplaints'' of children, and consequent
reat mortality among them, it is obviously
n element to be taken into special account
4 studying the cause, prevention and treat
lent of this class of cases, and it is very
esirable, as every physician knows. TO
rovide at least for those who are actually
lex, quiet apartments or homes where they
an have free ventilation and pure air Of a
loderate temperature. with fresh aod
wholesome food
Whenever these conditions can be secured
Or such patients, their digestive functions
re quickly restored, and the child is no
onger sick. The free excursions of day
0 the country or the public parks, for the
DOR with their sick children. recently inau-
urated in the city of New York and
will, if the exposure and
irigue is not too grea: for the su:-
sring little ones. be Of infinite ser.
ice to them, restoring health to many a
child, that may be thus res
ued, to live and bless the promoters ard
enetactOrs Of this charity.
At all events this movement has in a
pecial manner directed attention TO the
revious condition and dangers of infantile
fe in our cities But the measure does |