The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-06-10

the two years past is very full and
complete, and is extremely inter-
esting, but it only covers the one
matter of disease and death. In
both years the death rate among
the Hawalians was by far the
heaviest. In 1889 it was twenty
nine to the thousand; in 1890 it
was 34.91 per thousand, while with
other nationalities the rate was
much lower. In the former year,
the annual death rate was 21.92 for
all classes; in the latter it was
25.OS, which seems to point to
Honolulu as being an unhealthy
place. as compared with many
other cities. Of the 627 deaths of
the last year, the Hawaiians fur
nish 407--or about two thirds. The
monthly reports published in the
papers render it unnecessary to go
into the causes of death particu-
larly, but it will be remembered
that there have been far too many
deaths arising from what might be
called preventable causes, such as
fevers of certain classes. The
number of unattended cases is very
heavy, 191.
The matter of district hospitals
is again reviewed and the reports
of the physicians show that much
useful work has been done by the
hospitals at Wailuku, Maui, and
Koloa on the Island of Kauai. The
need of hospital in HiIo is urged
and it would seem as though the
establishment of one there was GER
tainly of great Importance If one is
necessary on Maui and on Kauai.
A full and minute statement is
given of the expenditures of the
Board of Health and the encourag-
ing suggestion is made that the ex-
penses in the future may probably
be decreased. Certainly the large
amounts which have been expended
in the past, while unquestionably
necessary for the public health and
for the crushing out of leprosy,
cannot be forever maintained with
out seriously crippling the finances
of the country. This will be found
the truer in case there should be n
repeal of the duty on sugar which
might compel US to use an unex-
pected economy in all things.
The reports from various district
physicians which appear in the sew
eral appendices have already been
referred to and noticed in a former
article, for all of them treat of the
subject of leprosy, but most of
them treat of other matters besides,
apparently answering a general
series of six or seven questions put
by the Board of Health to the
physicians to answer These ques-
lions cover:
l. The general health of the COM
munity in which appears the work
of the physicians with regard to
disease.
2. Thepresent sanitary condition.
| 3. Any improvements to be no.
ticed among the Hawaiians with
regard to the rules of health,
under which it is encouraging to
observe that throughout the COM
munity there is an improvement
with regard to the matter CT living;
that the erection of proper houses
and the methods of living therein
are constantly and continuously
approaching civilized standard.
1t is also said in several of the
reports that intemperance in the
use of liquors does not seem to in
crease especially, in fact in some
places it appears to decrease.
4. The condition of the water
supply to the various districts re-
ceives consideration.
5. Leprosy and
6. Suggestions for the sanitary
Improvement of the district. All
of these subjects are treated at
greater or less extent by each OF
the physicians whose reports fur
nish valuable suggestions.
The entire report adds another
valuable addition to the literature
already furnished by the Board OF
Health in years past upon vital
questions.