New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-04
PNEUMONIA AND TYPHUS FEVER

Such bright warm days as yesterday form hos
only comforting contrast to the weather Oh
this backward spring, but have direct sanl-
tary value in their beneficial influence upon
zymotic and contagious diseases in this city.
The inclement weather which has prevailed
during the last two months has been largely
responsible for the increased mortality from
pneumonia In March, 1882, the weekly
mortality from this disease ranged from 81 to
Ill, while in March of this year 1t varied be-
tween 10 and 1913. In April, 1882. the num-
Der of deaths from pneumonia ran from 90 10
100, while last month the number varied from
SO to 1884, The total of deaths from Dneumo-
MIA for the ten weeks ending Saturday last Is
given as 1,134, against 947 for the similar
period last year. AS a recent number OF Inc
Medical Record says, ave must infer therefore
" that there is either more pneumonia present
than usual or IL Ia of more malignant
@typer Nevertheless, The Record does not con-
slider the number of cases sufficiently large to
cause alarm. At present We can reasonably
hope that we have seen the worst OF the pro-
longed cold weather and sudden changes IN
moisture and temperature. The increasing
warmth and evenness of the season may be ex-
-
cases of pneumonia.
A similar effect will be produced upon typhus
fever and other contagious diseases. The
former is attributable directly to overcoming
and bad ventilation, while all contagious dis
eases are most rife in weather which induces
unthinking people to keep their doors and win.
dows tightly closed. OF typhus fever we have
unfortunately an exceptional number OF cases
in the city-thirty -one IN ALA larger number
than since November. 1881 when twenty seven
were reported. Bat this is due almost entirely
to one cause.-the ogercrowding at st. Stephens
Home for Children. II cannot be pleasant re-
Election for the managers of that institution
that the last time public attention was directed
to this disease it originated in a crowded lodg-
ing-house for tramps. Under such clrcum-
stances we might expect total disregard OF
sanitary conditions. but not in home for chill
dren. The first case of typhus fever for many
weeks was reported in the second week OF ADri,
two cases more followed between April 81 and
2S, and in the next week came twenty six
cases at st. Stephens Home. Happily this DIS
ease has appeared here almost invariably in a
mild form. But the necessity of the most ez-
IRENE caution in avoiding chances of spreading
the contagiou is emphasized by the fact that
typhus fever was discovered last week In Bos-
ION, or rather in SOmerville. There are at
present only two cases in that city, one of
which will probably result fatally. The last
time that this disease broke out In Boston it was
conveyed from York, and although its
present origin is unknown there is strong
chance that this has happened again.
With due vigilance on the part of the Board
of Health and with the advance of the season
we fortunately can rest free from fear of con-
tagious diseases. The past year has been ex.
ceptional in the freedom from smallpox, which
is due 10 the energetic system of vaccination
enforced in the winter of 1SSl-'82 The respon-
sibility for continuing this immunity, now that
the rush of immigration is beginning, rests
largely with the Quarantine officials.