The record-union., 1891-07-17
CHILDRRN'S DEATH TRAPS.
The Poisonous Sewers of San Fran
cisco.
How They Breed Diphtheria-what
the Report of the State Board
of Health Shows.

The report of the State Board of Health
for the month of June has been issued by
Secretary J. r. Laine. 1t contains the
result Of reports from seventy-tive cities,
towns and localities, aggregating popu-
lation Of 675, ,954, show a total Of 995 deaths
from all causes. This is percentage of
1.47 per thousand for June, or 17.64 per
thousand per annum.
There were 140 from consumption, 80
from pneumonia, % from bronchitis, Ii
from congestion of the lungs, Is from
diarrhea and dysentery, a from cholera
intantum, 54 from other diseases of the
stomach and bowels, AZ from diphtheria,
from Group, from scarlatina, 2 from
measles, IL from whooping cough, l from
malarial fever, % from typhoid fever, 6
from cerebro-spinal fever, 80 from cam
Ger, from erysipeias, rs from heart dis
ease, 10 from alcoholism and 42S from all
other causes.
EFFECTS OF THE HEAT.
But few deaths have been reported as
due to excessive heat, yet a sufficient
number Of cases of sunstroke have been
noted during the few days of the heated
term to dispel forever, it is hoped, the
traditional fiction that insulation never
occurs In California.
DEADLY SEwER-GAS.
A reference to the mortality table will
demonstrate an increase of deaths at San
Francisco from diphtheria, there being
twenty-five reported, as against eighteen
In May. 1t is remarkable that so much
Indifference should be shown to the raw
ages of disease that is as surely prevent
able as smallpox. Every one will con-
cede that twenty-five deaths from either
cholera or smallpox would produce the
utmost CONSERVATION in San Francisco
Nevertheless, twenty-five deaths from
dlphtheria, confined to those of tender
years, seems to produce but little effect
upon those who have the control of ways
and means with which to construct drains
and sewers suitable to the urgent needs
of rich and populous city.
JUST REBUKE.
Perhaps If these fatalities were confined
to the voting class political thrill might
find its tortuOus way up the METROPOLITAN
spinal marrow, and for time lead to the
consideration of public morals in the
way of municipal cleanliness. The same
Will apply to any other town or city.
OTHER DISEASES.
Reports of prevailing diseases from AZ
localities show diseases of the stomach
and bowels ola diarrheal character to have
been quite common. There were 2IS of
5IilpIC uldIIllcd, u OI cnOlerd lnfantun,
80 OF cholera morbuS and 40 of dySentery
The fatalities have been light, consider
ing the high temperature of the month.
Ihirty-three cases of measles, SO of diph-
iberia, 3 of Group, 20 of erysipelas, 26 of
typhoid fever, 275 of malarial fevers, 20 of
pneumonia, l03 of bronchitis, IO9 of la
grippe and 100 Of whooping- cough com
prise the remainder.
This would indicate that fevers of a ma
larlal type were more prevalent than any
other class of disease. This is easily ex-
planned by the late rains, creating surface
water, followed by great heat La grippe
IS diminishing, yet considerable num-
Der OF cases Of bronchitis are attributable
to the cause.
GEN ERALLY GOOD.
The State, sauitarily considered. is in
healthy condition, and due vigilance
should be observed il order to keep is SO
during the two months of hot weather
before US.