Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-17
REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

DR.. F. W. Hatch, of this city, permanent
his report for the month of October, says:
The table of mortslity for the month of
October includes twenty.four localities with
an aggregate population of los, 900. and an
annual death.rate of 16 90 per l 900. If we
take FIVE of the principal cities of the State
(Ssn Francisco excluded), each containing
over 5000 0inhsbitants-the lowest population
being 1900 and the highest sc, 000-we find
the death-rate in los. 900 inhabitants to have
been 16. 45. These cities vary in their death
rate for the month from 81 u pei 1000 per
annum to 8 80. The former is unusually
high, being due to deaths occurring by scci-
dent and among elderly persons. Thus eight
of the decedents were over 40 years of age,
eleven over 60 years and twenty so years and
over. The minimum death-rate mentioned
eases we find diphtheris, with seven deaths,
reported from four localities. This disease
has been reported as more or less prevalent
at Sacramento, Oakland and Dixon, though
in none of these places as an epidemic. One
case ia reported from Williams, in the case of
an emigrant child passing through there.
Scarlatins is responsible but for one death in
the localities heard from, but is reported to
have been epidemic at Grass Valley, but now
SuDslulDR, auu ureNallluR 10 sOiue oAteuI IL
Naps City, Rocklin, Vallejo and Sscra-
mento. In the latter only few csses have
occurred, and those without fatality "Sore
throat is reported prevalent at Downieville.
Typhoid and typho-mslarial fevers are re.
ported-one or both-by sickness" cards
from Santa Rosa, Modesto. st. Helens,
Healdsburg, Williams, Downieville and Val
lejo, in addition to those localities from
which deaths by these diseases are mentioned.
Whooping. cough is shown by the " sickness y
reports to be prevalent in Vallejo.
Since the issuance of the last monthly cir
cular another steamer from the lower coast
has arrived at San Francisco with three cases
of yellow fever. The vessel was placed in
quarantine, and no additional cases have been
reported. The disease has materially sub
sided in Mexico, though it is said to still pre-
vail in some towns there, and in Lower Cali
fornis. Probably the danger of the disease
reaching California has passed for the pres
ent, but as its germs will doubtless maintain
their vitality in the climate of Mexico during
the winter, and renew their work of destruc-
ton in the early summer, it will be the part
of prudence for the authorities to prepare for
its ultimate appearance in this State. by di-
recting thorough and rigid sanitary measures,
having reference not only to the general
cleanliness Of localities, but especially to
drainage, sewerage, and the cleansing and
disinfectiug of foul cesspools and vaults.
Should the disease reach this State such
timely precautions may be the means Of saw.
ing many lives, and, in any event, will add
to the healthfulness of localities. 1t has been
abundantly demonstrated that cleanliness and
good hygienic conditions are the best protec-
tion against epidemic disease of every kind.
The appointment of an active, working Board
of Health in every town not already pro-
vided with such a Board would be one, and
most important, step towards securing q
much needed sanitary reform.