Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-13
SANITARY TOPICS.
THE NOVEMBER REPORT OF THE STATE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Charming Weather Apparently Not Con
ducive to Health-Further Re-
marks About Diphtheria.

In his report for November of the sani.
tary condition of thu State. DIR. G. G. Tyr
rell, Secretary of the State Board of Health,
states that mortality reports from 103 To-
calities throughout the State, with an esti-
mated population of 752, 739, give the num-
Der of decedents as l, 133, being monthly
percentage of 1 SO per thousand, or an an.
nual mortality at the rate of 1850 per
thousand, which is the largest death rate
we have had for many months. This in.
crease is not due to the prevalence of any
particular epidemic, but rather to the in
creased area of country in which diph-
theris, typhoid fever and acute pulmonary
diseases have been present. The mortality
from pneumonia, for instance, just doubled
that for October, and the deaths from
diphtheria and Group were also largely in
excess over the preceding month.
PREVAILING DISEASES.
Reports from over hundred localities
indicate a general increase of sickness
throughout. There does not appear to be
any epidemic prevailing, if we except de.
clded frequency of throat affections, espe-
| cially tonsilitis, membranous angina and
diphtheria. The frequency of diseases of
| the respiratory system is also noticed
Influenza, now Familiarity known as "la
grippe" is observed by most of our CORE
| spondents. The abnormally dry weather
which prevailed during the past month
seems to have deleterious effect upon the
| general health, and probably determined
| that frequency to malaise which every
| where is subject of complaint.
| Cholera infantum, though usually in
allegiance so late in the year, was observed
| with frequency in many places, and diar-
| rhRa and dysentery were reported as OBJ
served, with some frequency.
| Diphtheria and Group appear to have
been almost universally present In San
Francisco 255 cases were reported. In Ala.
media, DR.. John T. Mclean thinks the pre-
valence of the disease is, in the main, ow-
ing 10 the imperfect way quarantine is
maintained, and to the lack of proper iso-
lation of those sick with the disease In
Anaheim, DR.. Billiard thinks the disease
originated in the school-room of modern
school, where the sewer pipe, imperfectly
laid, became obstructed and filled with
| most offensive matter. On having this re.
moved, the prevalence of sore-throal
| abated.
There is form of sore-throat prevailing
which was recognized in Santa Cruz by DR.
Anderson, which, although resembling in
some respects diphtheria, is not that dis
ease, being non-contsgious. and accom-
panied by marked liberation of the ton
sis, but without the characteristic odor O
diphtheria. 1t is seldom fatal, but as it ii
matter of difficulty to tell one from tn,
other, the safer plan is to treat all suct
cases as diphtheria, and isolate them &C
cordingly.
In Stockton. DIR. C. A. Ruggles consider
diphtheria as bad disease in communit,
as smallpox, and. as Health Officer, treat
them with the same sanitary precaution
insisting on isolation and strict quarantine
In this manner he has succeeded in liter
ally stamping out" the disease whereve
1t has appeared, thus preventing its exten
sion from the place of its development.
Typhoid fever was observed in few in
stances. The dryness of the soil, and con
sequent lowering of the ground water, doe
not seem to have had the developing effec
upon this disease that Pettenkotfer's theor
would lead us to expect, as the cases re
corded were all due to local causes, whic
sanitary efforts might have prevented.
. Pneumonia was quite prevalent every
. where. The disease in many cases was {
that low form known as typhoid pneumC
mia, and was particularly fatal when a
lacking persons beyond the middle perio
/ of life. In aged. persons its fatality we
n very marked.
Bronchitis was also very prevalent, an
}. was reported by all our correspondents
noticed in their districts.
% Influenza was very generally noted, an
l. many, OF our correspondents considere
o that La Grippe was again prevailing
;. their districts. The present influenza,
far as noticed, has failed to develop the il
tense prostration so very characteristic
Of the genuine La Grippe. 1t is, howeve
d more than probable that this sympto
~ will not be wanting if the disease conti
=, ues to increase in intensity.
Smallpox, we regret to say, has aga
,f been imported into San Francisco, th
y. time from Central America by sea. II
80 disease is epidemic in Guatemala, and m,
o have come from this source. Three cas-
:, developed in San Francisco during Mover
,e Der, and two since then. This should a
: monish US of the necessity of insist
! that our school children be vaccinated
of the law contemplates. This precauti
" y would place our children in condition
~ resist an invasion of the disease and p
a vent any extensive epidemic, if such dis
an ter threatened US. Of the protective pow
of vaccination against smallpox there c
Of be no question. History has again a
w. again proven it, and in the last report
no the Health Officer in Ireland, he decla
NO that there was not a single case of the q
"a ease reported there within the past ye
for the reason that vaccination is comp
sofy and every one is brought under