The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-08
THE HEALTH REPORT.
Mortality and Birth List Of the
City for March.
INCREASE IN DEATH RATE NOTED


0oy oAtCfuu0o u NUN DSI VI OlkS WCIC p1BnC0. -
was decided that hereafter all bills presented to
the board must be sworn to before they will be
approved. To lessen the cost TO the city it was
decided to apply to the purchasing agent OF the
city for supply Of drugs, that all prescriptions
for poor patients may be filed in the Office.
The monthly report OF Dr.. G. II. T. Sparkling,
medical officer, was read and approved 1t
dealt with all branches OF the department in de-
tail and made number Of recommendations
The report says:
The total number Of deaths reported during
the month was eighty-two. In comparison with
the previous months OF the year this is decided
increase. The cause of this increase IL found in
the epidemic Of Ia grippe and its compiicating
diseases which have prevailed during the month.
The death rate for the month is IL per 1,O00
The deaths from pneumonia are double those OF
last month, and there can be no doubt that 10
grippe had the largest share in causing the IN
crease. The deaths from typhoid fever are about
the same as last month. The following Is the
number OF deaths, with their location:
First ward, Is; Second, s; Third. 5; Fourth, s;
Fifth, o; Sixth, s; seventh, 3; Eighth, II.
The large number of deaths i'll the Fifth ward
il duo to the hospitals being situated in this
ward There were fifteen deaths in Providence
hospital. This ward, ordinarily, is the most
healthful in the city.
Tho following il the mortality in. detail, with
cause OF death.
Apoplexy, l: accident, 2: bronchitis, 8; burn,
!; conclusion Of brain, /: cancer, 5; commissions,
2: drowning, 2; fracture at base OF skull, !;
gastro-enteritis /; heart disease, s. inanition,
influenza, 2; Ia grippe, 2; morphine poisoning,
l; meningitis, 4; phthisis, IL; perrussis, ];
pneumonia, 10; periton!tis, !: paralysis, l; sui
eide, /; syphilis, IL scarlet fever, !; typhoid
fever, 10.
The total number OF births reported during
March was forty eight Il must be evident at
glance that these figures do not represent all
the births occurring in our citS: but only
small proportion of them. If this We're SO we
would be in the anomalous condition OF having
a lower birth rate than death rate. Doubtless
many physicians and midwives fail to report
births occurring in their practice. 1t is the
fixed determination of the department to pro-
coed against the delinquent in every case OF
violation OF this law where adequate evidence
to convict can be obtained.
The number OF cases of typhoid fever reported
by physicians during the month was %. AL
these cases were inspected from this depart
ment, and in many instances sanitary defects
were discovered on the premises which were
corrected.
There were l9l nuisance complaints made dur
ing the month. There were 10 inspections
made, 100 re-inspections; there were "a nuts
ances abated and 45 are In course OF abatement
Owing to the volume of business in this de-
Pdllincub ~ Hue OccA AiupOcoAOaV W vASAs sAsS
premises Of all who are supposed to have COM
piled with the notices given them, SO l have
every reason to believe that there are much
larger number Of nuisances abated than shows
on the books.
The report speaks at length OF the complaints
from filthy privies and sewer connections, ana
recommends q change in the present system OF
allowing running trap between tho main sew
efs and houses Stagnant water on lots when the
board has no authority to remove ia mea, TONED
Is a constant source OF malarial diseases. The
necessity Of plumbing inspector and sanitary
inspector Is spoken of, and the proposed action
Of the city council abodshing the Offices pro-
nounced . move that would be detrimental.
The plumbing inspector issued 81 plumbers
certificates, made IS inspections, accepted 70
pieces of plumbing work ard condemned Is.
In connection with the recent condemnation
OF hogs by the board, the report says:
''Thc condemnation of ninety-eight hogs as
unfit for human food, shows the extent to which
the meat of diseased animals is sold in the city,
and in all cities in which no provision is made
for adequate meat inspection. 1t has been dis
cased animals, rejected by the inspectors OF
other cities, that are brought to this city and
sold to the butchers for slaughter. The depart
ment has no satisfactory power in law to inter
fere with this pernicious practice, and indeed
any satisfactory way OF dealing with the prob
lem is impracticable until all slaughteiing bus
mess is concentrated in q certain locality.
When ii is thus concentrated inspection Of food
animals before and after slaughter will be easy,
and unsound meat can readily be condemned
aud its destruction made certain, a result i'm
possible of attainment until the health regula-
lions are approved by the council and the
proper ordinance enforcing the same is passed
Admissions of the city poor to the hospitals
during the month numbered %; remaining
from last month, %; discharged during the
month, 81: Deaths 2; total in hospital April l, II.
There were los patients treated by the depart
ment outside of hospitals. with total OF 2l0
visits. Cost of medicine. $65l5 There were
IS burial permits issued, and removal permits.