Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-13
THE HEALTH OF THE STATE.
A Low Death Rate-Absence of Epidemi
Diseases

A Low Death Rate-Absence of Epidemic
Diseases.
Gelr4rd G. Tyrrell, NJ. D., Secretary of the
State Board of Health, includes the follow
ing remarks in his report for September:
Reports of mortality received for Septem-
Der continue to present low death rate,
which may be chiefly attributed to the abb
sence of epidemic diseases. and partly to
the very favorable meteorological condi-
tons which existed during the month. As
a general rule we look for zymotic diseases
during the fall months especially in ty-
phoid and malarial fevers. Happily so far
our anticipations have not been realized.
The deaths embodied in this report number
seven hundred and thirty-seven, of which
only one hundred and fifly-three were of
the zymotic class.
Reports received from nearly one hun
dred different localities throughout the
State are singularly unanimous in their
concurrence as to the absence of epidemic
disease and the general healthfulness of
their districts.
Cholera infantum is quite noticeable in
San Francisco, Martinez, Fort Bidwell.
Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Petaluma, Lodi,
Etna and Eureka. 1t is, however, dimin-
ishing in frequency, the type is milder, and
with cooler weather will soon disappear as
a constant item in our monthly reports.
Diarrhea and dysentery, which although
more or less prevalent in Martinez, Folsom,
Susanville, Camptonville,S Santa Rosa, Calico,
Cotton, Weaverville, Anderson, Lemoore,
Lincoln, San Francisco, Oakland, Selma
and Sacramento, will also diminish in
prevalence with the advent of cold weather
and the lessening of the fruit supply.
Pneumonia is increasing in the number
of those attacked, although the fatality is
limited. San Francisco, Bakersfield, Eu-
reka, Sacramento, Truckee and other towns
note its growing frequency.
Bronchitis is likewise becoming more
frequently mentioned in our reports from
Tehama, Camptonville, Fresno, Bakersfield,
College City, Nicolaus and Anderson.
Influenza prevails in Jolon, Nicolaus,
Amador City, Martinez, Sierra City, Truckee
and Camptonville.
Whooping- cough is quite prevalent in
Cloverdale, Truckee, Anaheim, San Diego
and Amador; in Ontario, DR.. Chai1ey
writes, it is decreasing
Diphtheria is prevailing in a sporadic
form in Truckee, Rocklin, Williams, Sacra-
! mento, Mariposa, Stockton, Benicia, Grass
Valley, Monterey, Oakland, San Francisco
Petaluma, Nevada City and Amador City
OlNOiol W NC "
cOnfine this disease to the persons attacked
and a rigid quarantine enforced. If the
disease occurs among school children
parents and guardians should give the
teacher notice that infectious disease is in
the family or dwelling, that every precau-
ton may be taken to prevent the spread OF
the malady. Children should be strictly
forbidden to visit in any dwelling where
diphtheria exists, or attend the funeral in
case of death.
Measles is quite prevalent in st. Helena
The type is mild
Scarlet fever is reported in Lodi, Weaver
| vile and Trinity Center. Three deaths are
said to have occurred from il in the latter
town, but no report of them has reached
this office.
Erysipelas is noticed at present in Fort
Bidwell, Bakersfield, Mariposa, Heads
burg, Truckee, San Mateo, Amador City
Martinez and Sacramento. The type is
mild and unattended by any mortality.
Parotitis. or humps, is quite prevalent in
Sacramento.
Typhoid fever, as was anticipated, has in
| creased its area of diffusion. Fort Bidwell,
Igo, Downieville, Etna, Nevada City, Liv-
ermore, Santa Cruz, Upper Lake, Oakland
San Francisco, San Jose, Selma and Peta-
luna report cases of it. In Petaluma il
was said to be epidemic. In letter from
DR.. L. H. Patty, Health Officer, he denies
this, and says that although several cases
have occurred, there has been no deaths
from the disease during the month, which
indicates the extreme mildness of the type
and absence of epidemic tendency. DR.,
Patty is of the opinion that with the first
rains the disease will cease
Typho-malarial fever is reported in Clo-
verdale. Shasta, Igo, Anderson, Santa Bar
bara, Nicolaus, Etna, Modesto and Amador
Some cases of cerebral fever have been
noticed in Stockton, Anaheim and San
Diego.
Smallpox, although absent from this
State just now, prevails in several parts of
Mexico, especially on our southern border,
and particularly in Guaymas, where it is
reported epidemic. According to Consul
Wizards reports there were 26 deaths
up to September Both. 1t cannot, there
fore, be too earnestly impressed upon the
public the necessity which exists for an
early vaccination of all unprotected per-
sons, as the probability of the disease being
imported into our State is very great, there
being absolutely no impeachment to its pro-
gress across the frontier. Epidemics be-
come extensive in proportion to the mate
rial offered for their propagation. In vac
cination we have safeguard that effectu-
ally stops the progress of smallpox, and
those who fail to avail themselves of it
have but themselves to blame if they fall
victims to the disease.