Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-12
HEALTH OF THE STATE.
The State Board of Health Says it is Bet
ter Than Ever Before.

i
ter Than Ever Before.
DR.. Tyrrell, Secretary of the State Board
of Health, in his report for the month of
August, says:
Mortality reports received from 100 local
| tiles throughout the State, with an esti-
mated population of $50, AS give the num-
! Der of deaths as 500, which is percentsge
of 0 81 per thousand in the month, or an
annual mortality of 1164, which we be-
lieye to be the lowest death rate ever re-
corded in this State 1t indicates degree
of healthfulness throughout California
which is most gratifying to the sanitarian,
and gives evidence that the health organi-
cations lately instituted under the new law
are doing efficient work.
Reports received from 120 localities con-
tinue to indicate that in the month of Aug
| ust the minimum of sickness which pre-
| vailed during July still continued. No
| epidemic is reported anywhere and when
we consider that this office has now estab-
| lished communication with almost every
portion of the State, and therefore in posi-
ton to ascertain facts, this phenomenal abb
sence of any prevailing disease within its
borders is remarkable A report was re-
celved that smallpox was raging in Secorro,
in Mexico, but upon investigation through
our efficient Health officer, Dr. j. p Booth,
at Needles we learned that although the
disease was there, as reported, it was un-
der control, and did not seriously menace
our State. DR.. Booth may be trusted to
guard against its inroad within his ju1is-
diction.
Although the meteorological conditions
were, from an increased temperature above
the normal, most favorable to the develop
meDt OF intestinal arrangements, We find
that in fact that most frequent of all ac-
compartments to abnormal heat among
children, cnolera infantum, was seldom
mentioned in our reports.
The instrumentaiity of Boards of Health
in educating the public TO the dangerous
and contagious nature of diphtheria, and
the necessity of strict isolation and COM
plete disinfection of all persons and things
in contact with it. has done much to limit
its spread, and to their efficient action may
we hope soon to be able to chronicle the
event of its complete disappearance from
our midst, as it is a disease as surely sus-
ceptlble of perfect extirpation as smallpox
if as efficiently dealt with. To do this
promptly there should be law to COM
pei notification o. its presence in every
instance to the Health Officer, and the
premises quarantined by a distinctive flag
or printed notice. If we reflect that diph-
iberia is more deadly than smallpox and
more destructive in its ultimate results, it
will be conceded that no measures can be
too strong in guarding the public against
its iproads
If Pettenkofers theory be true, that the
prevalence Of typhoid fever is dependent
in great measure upon the hight of the
ground water, we ought, owing to the dry
ness of the season, to have bad frequent
mention of it in our reports; whereas, in
fact,it seems to prevail to quite limited
extent.
As the organization of local Boards of
Health and the appointment of Health.
Otiicers is now being rapidly accomplished
in obedience to the Slate law making such
appointments compulsory, we would beg
10 remind all communities so favored thai
such organizations or appointments can
offer no means of defense against the in
roads of disease without the active cooper
alton of the citizens among whom they are
placed. We know that the prosperity of a
town depends much upon its heslthfulness
and the safety of life therein it therefore
becomes most important that upon the
first appearance of any infectious disease its
presence should be made known to the
officers of health, that all necessary pre-
cautions may be taken to prevent in the
first instance its spread secondly, to dis
cover, If possible, its cause; and, thirdly,
to take measures 10 remove or destroy it.
Typhoid fever, smallpox, scarlet fever,
and kindred infectious diseases need never
extend beyond their original poirt of de-
velopment If properly cared for under the
instructions of an intelligent health officer.
1t Therefore becomes the highest duty of
citizen to cooperate with the officers of
health to save not only the community
from sickness and their fellow citizens from
death but also n DraSarvp ha oooJ
of their town for healthfulness and sanitary
salubrity. There is no doubt" says late
writer, that the people themselves are re-
sponsibie for many of the diseases which
st1iict them, and when the art of presery.
ing health shall have attained to the same
perfection as the means that now exist for
destroying it, we may expect large reduc.
ton in sickness and willingness to be
governed by sanitary rules that are now
looked upon by large class of people as
interfering with their personal liberty"