Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-22

. .I. WI en- Congress meets. 1t has been shown
the district and the authorities should not let
Ho N $4,000 to $1,000 slip from the treasury
W hhout an effort to have the Law amended.
LOCAL CAUSES OF DISEASE.
OF the subject OF aScertafn1ng local causes OF
disease in 1871 cases of examinations made on
premises where fatal cases Of zymotic disease
have occurred he shows the necessity for secur-
ing reports so that inspections may be made
before death makes 1t too Hate to benefit the Suf
ferers. He invites both the attention Of physi-
clans and heads OF families to this matter. A
prompt report OF the existence Of any case Of
typhoid or scarlet fever or diphtheria, or other
preventabIe disease, will enable him to take
timely action, and may be the result OF saving
the lives of many.
SCARLET FEVER IN THE SCHOOLS
He also invites attention to the necessity for
more rigid rules regarding the admission into
schools Of children from families affected with
scarlet fever. 1t is well-eStabliShed fact that
public schools are largely responsible for the
spread of this disease, and significant as an an
gument in favor of this theory is the fact that
the mortality records of this and other cities
show a dtminutton of the death rate from this
disease during vacation season, and an increase
again upon the reaSSembling Of schools. Child
rem convalescing from this disease should be
prevented from attending school until they
have entirely recovered and public funerals in
all cases of contagious diseases should be for
bdden. The moItality from scarlet fever in
New YORK last year was equal to that from ye'-
low fever in the entire union for the same
period
PROSECUTIONS IN NUISANCE CASES.
During the year 70 cases were referred to the
attorney for prosecution under the health Ordi-
nances. The action Of the health officer has been
uniformly sustained by the courts. In many
cases 1t does not become necessary to proceed,
even after the case has been referred, defendants
finding that it is better TO proceed with the work
of abatement OF the nuisance, when either the
information is not fled or nOlle prOSequi is en-
tered by the attorney. when the case comes up.
There were q such cases during the year.
LEGISLATION NEEDED.
There are several subjects upon which legisla.
ton is much needed. He states that he is still
unable to satisfactorily accomplish the abate
ment OF nuisarceS on property of nOn-resident5;
the law not being explicit enough on the subject
OF offensive matters, such as onc-bOling, soap
making. &c. Physicians should be required to
report cases OF ZymOic diseases occurring in
their practice. We should have laws re gulating
the slaughter of animals for food, and our ordi-
nanceS relating to the abatement Of nliiSanceS
affecting the public health, found to be detective
in many points should be revised and amended.
During the year fines were imposed in 10 cases
and 10 were dismissed on account of technical
detects ir the precepts, defective ordinances or
for other reasons.
There has been much sanitary work accom-
plshed during the year, part OF which was the
filling OF the Old arch sewer running between
9Th and 10th and Louisiana avenue and streets,
and abetfng many nuiSanceS upon private pro-
city.
VITAL STATISTICS.
The Health Officer enters largely into the sub
ject Of vital statistics. He says the prog eSS in
tll'o Sttls>-
factory, and the records at this time are in more
perfect order than at any period since the estab-
lishment OF the service. When he took charge
OF the office, July, 1873, he found the death GER
tticates recorded only to March 1st OF that year.
While no index had been completed later than
August 81, 1875; records of births completed
to March !, 1873, and indeNed to September 80,
1875; records of marriages completed TO April
80, 1878, and indeXed to September 3d. 1915; still
births were not recorded later than December,
1877; records of deaths OF foreigners had not been
in II moi nFr
unentered, and records Of transfers and removals
were in the same condition. All records are
completed up to date; complete register OF
deaths has been finished, and all Gel dictates are
carefully filed and labelled and easily accessible
for reference. After stating the value OF full
and correct records of such statistics, he says
of births and marriages are Incomplete and
unsatisfactory. To afford all possible inforlna-
ten On this subject, thirty-four tables and sew
eral maps and charts are appended.
MORTALITY OF TIE YEAR.
During the year there were 4,309 deaths regis
tered; certificates with cause of death, duration
OF last sickness. age sex, color, birthplace, So
cial condition, occupation, where, when and by
whom buried, and name of medical attendant.
The increase over the year previous was rs, AM.
steady increase since 1876 is shown by tables.
This annual increase is accounted for in the in
creasing population. The census recently taken
by the assessor of taxes shows population of
over 100000, and considering the conditions
under which this statement was taken and the
large increase since he considers 1t Just and fair
that our population be estimated at 110, 900
l14,000 white and $4,000 colOred. Taking these
figures as basis the Increase o, population
since the last nattonal census of $780, when ii
was l31 ,7OO shows for years an average annual
per centage Of increase in the total population
OF 1900:
THE CAUSES OF DEATHS.
Nine hundred and ninety-three DEATHS or 20. 0i
per cent. OF the total mortality resulted from
Zymotic diseases, and sSl from those OF mias
matte oder. Cholera infantum stands at the
head OF this specific cause OF death, numbering
1885, all but OF whom were under years of age.
There were no deaths from yellow fever,
smallpox or hydrOphob1a. Constitutional dis
eases claimed JOG of the decedents. and local
diseases claimed 1859. The number of develop
mental diseases registered is $780, under the head
Of evidence" are arrayed $50 deaths.
A NUMBER OF TABULAR STATEMENTS
are inter woven into the portion Of this report
relating to vital statistics, all full of interesting
comparative statements as to sexes, ages. races
natiYities, births. diseases, &C., &C., making
altogether an exhaustive treatise upon this sub
Ject which will doubtless be closely scanned by
physicians and Sanitarfans. Treating on the
table relating to the living population and de-
report states that it is found that very many
changes have taken place-the white popula-
ton being 4O046 less than at years OF age,
Shrinkage OF 40.SS during the Is years passed,
and the co'ored population for the same time has
decreased 20.951, or 4.65 per cent. Nearly one
half OF the white decendents arrived at this age,
and but 36.5S per cent. of the colOred. The
average ages for each sex and color has advanced
about seven years. The annual death rate per
! 900 has increased 5.3 for the white and 942 for
the colored. The percentage to total mortality
for the White has fallen 5.54 and for the colOred
40. Passing to the division in the table to those
40 years Of age and over, the white population is
found to have decreased over one-Ialf In the
past twenty years, and the colored 62.S2 per
cent; 1921 per cent OF the total white mortality
was OF this age, and but POT per cent. of the
colOred. The annual death rate per 900 for the
white population OF this age was 1892, and for
the colored 4547; and the percentage Of the total
was for the white 1866, and for the
colored but 1919. Somewhat of a change has
taken place here in relation to the ages of the
the colored being in advance
The report states that under social relations
the widows are found to outnumber the wild
overs more than two to one among the white
decedentS and more than three to one among
the colored, and that her average is also in eX-
cess OF his. The next division OF this table, I'M
der the head " Married. reverseS these figures,
and although 1924 married men and but 242 mar
ried women were among the white decedentS,
the life OF the former Is found to exceed that OF
the latter. A similar condition appears among
the cOlored race Table No. shows the loca-
ton within certain prescribed limits as denoted
by an accompanying map OF phthiSiS pulmO-
nails or consumption, pneumonia, cholera in
fantum, scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid fever,
malarial fevers and diarrhCeal diseases. The
number OF marriages reported during the year
was 712, an increase Of 17S over the preceding
twelve months.
The health officer expresses his satisfaction in
the selection of his corps of assistants in the
ftary service. ErneStneSS, energy and industry