National Republican., 1875-11-27

the necessity for isolation n other cases exist and
the selection and employment OF suitable dIsin-
fectants. The total number of
DEATHs REGISTERED
for the twelve months ending September 30. 1879.
from all causes was 4.S52 Of which 22l0 were
white, and lk2 colored 2T2 per cent OF the total
popuiasIcp, Or at the rate Of ao per 1000 per sn.
diseases In this District SOS were white, and $40
coloredi 5s2 males and SIS females. The number
Of seatnS rom miasnatic diseases. order l. tha
most prominent OF this class was e5s =
The total number OF deaths from constitutional
diseases was esl; 4o1 white and 40 colored The
LIE; SO white and $50 colored. The total nun.
Der OF deaths from developmental diseases was
4ssi "a white and "a colored; 1sl were children
class Of diseases is due to the great mortality Of
co!oTed children during that period Of life. The
total number Of deaths from violence was l52; 70
from diarrheal diseases vasl ass, 400 Of which
were children under five years of age and 800
were children % under one year Of age. The total
number OF deaths from phthisis pulmonalis was
57e; 2ss males and 29l females.
Among the more prominent circumstances ma
teFiaiiy anecting the sanitary condition, which
Inhuence the causes and ratio OF mortality in the
district are; !. Clmate-the intense and long
continued heat Of the summer months and the
in the absence Of suitable sanitary provisions to
dexeiop the more formidable masmatic diseases.
The location Of our cities upon tide-water,
which, IN the daily ebb and flow, carries and re-
turns the water Of our river saturated with sew
ersge, efecting measurably the salnbrity of the
District. g. The annual varying influx Of o tran
sent population. estimated at not less than 006
yielding reluctantly TO wholesome sanitary con.
troll, leaves q notable impress upon our mortality
tablep. T. The occupation and habits of the peo-
pie whose ohicial daily service In the public De-
partments, which are generally overcrowded,
badly ventilated and lack many other sanitary
requirements, are sure 10 make inroads upon the
health and life Of this class, inducing dyspepsia
defective nutrition and other derangements, the
precursor Of phthisis pulmonAlis the mast promi-
nent cause Of death in this and other civilized
countries.
In contrast to these conditions effecting so un-
fayorably the death rate IN this District we enjoy
the important sanitary provisions of broad streets
and avenues SO wisely arranged as TO invite the
unobetructed course Of wind currents, the numer-
Gus public and private parks and dwelling areas
OF the more favored classes which combined secure
degree OF salubrity directly insuring the highest
expectation for the NEST reasonable limit to pre-
ventable malaoies. Progress has charac-
terized the labors Of this department during this
period. A little more than one year since the
present complete regulations, based upon the re-
Gently enacted law Of Congress, have been en-
forced and It is reasonable to believe that as our
knowledge and experience on this subject IN
creases, and the people appreciate more fully the
value and necessity for such records, learning
thereby to care for and protect their health and
lives, in the observance Of established sanitary
laws, still longer strides will be taken each year
in the direction Of perfect registration OF vital
statistics In the District of Columbia.
Yeryrespectfully, D w. BLISS, NJ. D.,
Registrar.