Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-12
HEALTH oF THE STATE.

La Grippe Rapidly Losing Its Grip-De-
crease From January Mortality.
The report of DR.. G. G. Tyrrell, Secretary
of the State Board of Health. for the month
of February, states that the mortality for
the month in 103 localities, with popula-
ton estimated at 1850, was 1,156, a
monthly percentage of l "A per 1000, or a
mortality at the rate of II 2S per annum
which is marked decrease from the NOR
tality recorded in January, which gave an
annual death rate of 20 GA. However, dis
eases of the respiratory organs still occupy
the most prominent place in the history of
causation. Consumption leads the list
with 249 deaths. This is q decrease OF
81 from the January report.
Pneumonia also presents the large NOR
tality of 100 deaths Nevertheless it is
decrease of eS from the last report. Eighty
eight of these deaths occurred in San Fran
cisco, eight in Sacramento, six in Oakland,
five in Los Angeles, four In San Jose and
the remainder in smaller numbers in diff
ferent parts of the State. Bronchitis is
credited with So decedenis. This is also
reduction of 10 deaths from last report,
although it is much in excess of the usual
mortality recorded from this disease.
Diphtheria and Group, collectively, were
fatal in Is instances which is marked de-
crease from the fatality in January, when
40 deaths were registered from these dis
eases.
Reports of sickness observed in over 100
localities throughout the State indicate
very well marked subsidence in the fre-
quency and fatality of diseases of respira-
tory organs. The notes of q number of
our correspondents convey the impression
that in a majority of the districts heard
from the condition of the public health
was much more satisfactory than was to be
expected, considering the extremely in
clement weather that prevailed throughout
the month. The decrease III the prevalence
of disorders of the bowels was quite notice
able, especially cholera infantum, which
is hardly mentioned. The absence from
our reports of typhoid fever as e
prevailing disease is remarkable, and
is in some degree confirmatory of
the observations of authorities upon this
subject, that copious and continued rain
fall SO fiGshes and washes out the impuri-
ties of the soil and the receptacles of filth
that typhoid fever becomes perceptibly
lessened in its frequency, if not entirely
absent, from localities in which it was be-
fore prevalent.
Dr. J. P. Booth writes that smallpox
was prevalent in Las Vegas, Mexico, but
was not allowed to pass the border, as far
as could be ascertained. The fact of its ap-
pearance in Mexico should warn us TO
prepare for its coming into this State again,
and provide against its spread by vaccina-
ton and re-vaccination before it is too late
Health officers should see that all school
children in their several districts comply
with the law providing fer vaccination,
which is believed to be the most efficient
mode of protection from this disease that
the State is able to devise.
Influenza is rapidly abating. Although
mentioned in nearly all of our reports as
still present in the State, it is characterized
by its mild form and general absence of
fatality. Probably the next report will
convey the intelligence of its total disap-
pearance.