Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-12
HEALTH OF The PEOPLE.
MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE SANITARY
CONDITION OF THE STATE.
The ChaBgeable Weather of Autumn Not
Conducive to Health-The Chief
Causes of Death.

Mortality reports received from eighty
different localities throughout the State,
with an estimated population of 764 639,
give the number of decedents as LOG, be-
ing monthly percentage of 81 per
1000, or an annual mortality of 16 oS per
1000, which is an increase over that of the
previous month. Consumption is credited
with $50 deaths. which is an increase of 20
over the death rate in September. Pneu-
monia caused Sc Deaths which is also an
increase over last report. Bronchitis was
fatal in 20 instances. Congestion of the
lungs caused Z deaths. Whooping cough
caused deaths.
Diphtheria is credited with 80 deaths,
which is large increase over The mortality
caused by this disease last month. Twenty
of these deaths occurred in San Francisco,
Los Angeles, in Alameda, 3 il Sacra-
mento, 2 in Sausalito. and l each in San
Jose, Visalia, Grass Valley, Fresno Chico,
Napa and Newcastle.
Group caused 18 deaths, which is q large
increase over the deaths from II last month.
Thirteen died in San Francisco, 2 in Santa
A11a. aud each IN Stockton, San jose and
Sacramento.
Cholera infani1m is credited With 80
deaths, which is decrease from last re-
port.
Prevailing Diseases.-Rsports received
from Sc Localities in different parts of the
State indicate IN increase of sickness in
most :. them, especially in those diseases
areoting the respiratory system. This
might have been expected, as these diseases
are greatly influenced by the mean temper
AZURE. They increase in prevalence as the
temperature falls, and diminish as it rises.
During the month of October the tempera-
ture was generally higher than normal dur
ing the earlier part of the month, but later
there was a rapid fall, in some places so
marked as to produce frost. This change
seemed at once to determine an increase OF
pneumonia, bronchitis, and condition of
pulmonary affection approximating very
closely to ia grippe" without inducing
the severe facilitating effect coincident
with that disease. 1t was also observed
that the change in temperature had given
temporary prevalence to bowel disorders in
those persons whose excretory functions
were particularly active and easily infiu-
enced by variations in temperature.
Cholera infantum. which, at this season
of the year, usually diminishes in fire.
quency, was noticed as prevailing in many
places.
Sporadic cases of scarlet fever were OBJ
served in Sacramento, San Francisco, Oak
land, Holl ster, Pacific Grove a. Truckee.
Whooping cough was repor in few
places.
The reports of typhoid fever are increas-
ing, the continued dryness of the weather
hair 70 n Ia for Aaua
Remittent and intermittent fever are not
prevailing to any extent. Some few cases
were observed.
Pneumonia was quite prevalent during
the latter part of the month. 1t was 50 re-
ported in San Francisco, Oakland, Ala
media, Sacramento, Hanford, FL Monte,
Cottonwood, Lakeport, San Jose, ST.
Helena, Anderson, Gonzales, Fresno, Los
Angeles and Santa Barbara.
Influenza was mentioned in nearly all
our reports as having been observed dur
ing the latter part of the month. some of
our correspondents being Of the opinion
that it was prelude to the grippe of last
winter
CONCERNING DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria and Group have been quite
prevalent during the month, assuming q
maligEity in many cases that has been
quite unusual hitherto. In view of this
prevalence, the State Board of Health has
deemed il advisable to publish, for gratu-
itous distribution, e small pamphlet on the
disease. its restriction and prevention,
which can be had on application to the
Secretary, in Sacramento The conditions
being favorable for the development of the
disease, the local health authorities should
look more strictly to the public safety than
they apparently do in the presence of these
cases of diphtheria. They have the power
of requiring from those persons attacked,
that in regard to residence and otherwise
they shall so conduct themselves as not IN
necessarily to multiply the chances of ex
tending the affection to others.
Public funerals should be strictly forbid
den, and the transportation by rail OF those
dead from diphtheria should not be al
lowed, except under the most stringent
provisions and competent inspection. Each
case of such disesae is a public danger,
against which the public is entitled to be
warned by proper information. ANY per-
son knowingly having this disease under
his care or control, who voluntarily me-
elects to take all the necessary precautions
to prevent its spread, should not only be
punishable by penalty, as for an act of
nuisance but should be liable to pay Pc
cuniary damages for whatever harm ne
may occasion to others.
~ lulS llIiG IL nOutQ Dc well Gus
to keep watchful eye upon the animals
with which their children play, as it is
well ascertained fact that dogs and cats are
very frequent carriers of infection into
household. An instance occurred in this
CITY where pet cat contracted diphtheria
from q sick child and conveyed il to
neighbours child who unfortunately played
with it just after it had left the infected
home. Cats having diphtheria generally
display it by yellowish discharge through
the nose. gummy secretion about the
eyes, a hoarse voice, and a desire for quiet
and seclusion. Dogs are not nearly so sub
ject to diphtheria as cats, but are liable to
carry the infection on their hair.
A curious fact recently discovered by DR..
Klein, and confirmed by the health Off
GERS in London, is that cats suffering from
diphtheria manifest the desire more fire.
quently in infammatory deposit in the
lungs than elsewhere, and while in this
condition they were capable of communi-
eating the disease to children as when it
manifested itself in the throat and nose.
In San Francisco the disease is reported as
almost epidemic, and ascribed to emana-
tons proceeding from filthy sewers. 1t is
also prevalent in Sacramento, in the VI
cinity of the drainage canal; was reported
in Visalis. Napa, Sausalito, Hopland, Lodi.
Eureka, Truckee, San Jose, st. Helena,
Los Angeles, Downie, Fresno, Newcastle,
Grass Valley, Chico and Alameda. The
extension of this disease to so many parts
of the State may, perhaps, be attributed to
some condition in the atmosphere of
which we are ignorant, but we do know
that wherever the germ is deposited, it is
nurtured in filth and developed where
sanitation is deficient.
N0RTHERLY BLASTS.