The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-16
which its representatives fought for the
rights and independence Of these almost
snvagcs, and without any desire for adj
vantage or for paw.
VITAL STATISTICS.
DgPARrMESr or ruR INTERIOR, J
CRNsus OfRIcg, 7

DEPARTMENT or ruR INTERIOR
CRNsus OfRIcg.
WARRINGTON, d. G., May I, 1889.
! To the Medical Profession;
The various medical associations aud the medical
profession viii be glad TO learn that Dr. John $.
III lings, Surgeon 4. s Army has consented 10 take
charge Of the Report on the Mortality and vital
Statistics Of the United States us returned by the
Eleventh Census
As the United states has no system Of rcglstra-
ton OF vital statl ties such as Is relied upon by
other civilized nations for the purpose OF ascertain
ing the actual movement OF population. our census
affords the only opportunity Of obtaining near an
approximate estimate Of the birth and death rates
OF much the larger part Of the country. which Is
entirely unproyldel with any satisfactory system
OF State and municipal registration.
In view OF this the Census Once, during the
month of May this year, will issue To the medical
profession throughout the country Physicians
Registers" for the purpose OF obtaining more
accurate returns Of death than II IN possible for the
cnnmcrntors TO make. II is earnestly hoped that
physicians IN every part Of the country will COOP
crate with the Census Office In this important
work. The record should be kept from June |,
1889. to May 81 1900 Nearly 10000 of these regis.
tratlon books were filled up and returned to the
Office in 1850 and nearly all Of them used for sta
tlslical purposes II is hoped that double this
number will DO obtained for tho eleventh census
Physicians not receiving registers can obtain
them by sending their names and addresses 10 the
Census Once, and, with the register, an Official
envelope which requires no stamp will be pro-
yided for their return to Washington.
II all medical and surgical practitioners through.
out the country will lend their aid the mortality
and vital statistics Of the eleventh census will DO
moro comprehensive and complete that they have
ever been. Every physician should take per
| Ia In has nrf ful
rate as II is possible to make H.
II is hereby promised that all information OBJ
tnincd through this source shall be held strictly
confidential. RoBERr q. PORTER,
Superintendent OF Census
We make place for this circular thus
conspicuously in order to secure the atten-
ton TO II Of the physicians Of this and the
surrounding States. There is nothing
moro valuable in census report, nothing
moro necessary to a comprehension Of tho
real sanitary condition Of the people than
carefully ascertained mortality and vital
statistics. No accurate or reliable esti-
mate OF the death rate OF the coun.
try can be made without them. Births,
deaths and marriages arc carefully
preserved by specially appointed Of
licials in other nations, and they
are thus enabled to realize what is
essential and necessary to curb and re-
strain disease and prevent aggression by
those that are prcvontable. Every intelli-
gent and well educated physician under
stands this, and many medical societies,
our own, OF Tennessee, among the number,
have urged and procured legislatures to
make laws that would compel tho report
Of every marriage and every birth and
death. There Is reason 10 believe that a
uniform law will eventually prevail
throughout the Union by which this
make-shift OF the Census Bureau may be
obviated before the year 1900. But
this make.shiit is the best that
can can be done under existing circum
stances, therefore We urge upon tho ply.
eicians TO respond with care, and partic.
ularity to the requests Of Superintendent
Porter contained in the above. Every
citizen should stand ready to help tina
officer in his work, aud make II point
in whatever they do to be accurate and
give only reliable and carefully aseerIained
data. Lot us add that the selection Of Dr.
John S. Billings, United States Army, 70
take charge Of the report on mortality ant
vital statistics OF the census OF 1890 is
guarantee that whatever the utmost cart
aud honest oversight and work can d
with tho material thus to DO gathered L
/ present trustworthy and reliable repor
will be forthcoming, and in way credit
able TO tho profession and the country.