The record-union., 1891-04-14
HEALTH OF TEE STATE.
An Unusual Mortality Reported for
the Month of March.
Pulmonary Complaints Credited With
the Greater Number of Victims
Diphtheria and La Grippe.

The report of DIR. G. G. Tyrrell, Secre-
tary of the State Board of Health for the
month of March contains some interest
ing facts concerning the sanitary condi-
ton of the State. It says:
Reports Of mortality received from Sc
localities in different parts of the State,
with an estimated population OF 6Sl ,497,
give the number of deaths at 1,25l; being
monthly percentage of l.S3 per 1,000 or
an annual mortality of 2l.96, which Is the
largest death rate in any single month
that has been recorded for years. This
increase in the monthly percentage may
be more apparent than real, owing to the
correction of the estimated population in
those towns and cities reported by the
Census Bureau this month. When the
population Of all the towns is officially
declared we will be able to get closer to
the actual death rate in California than
we are at present.
Consumption caused ISS deaths, which
is above the average mortality from this
cause.
Pneumonia was fatal in 16S instances,
which is above the mortality in January
or February, and the largest number yet
reported in any single month.
Bronchitis caused SO deaths, which is a
slight decrease from the mortality in Feb
ruary.
Congestion of the lungs was credited
with p deaths.
Whooping- cough, although quite prev
alent, caused but four deaths.
Diphtheria is reported to have caused
6S deaths, none of which were in Sacra-
mento.
Group had fatality of 2O-14 reported
from San Francisco, and one each from
Azusa, Newcastle, Pasadena, Watson
vile, San Jose and Sacramento.
inf
which is conclusive evidence that the dis
ease is not prevalent.
DiarrhUa and dysentery were reported
as causing 10 deaths, which is quite an in
crease over the preceding month, when
three deaths only were recorded from
these causes.
Scarlet fever, although quite prevalent
IN many places, is only credited with 3
deaths, which is reliable evidence of the
mild character of the disease.
Measles is also reported as causing only
deaths, from which a like inference as
to the type of the disease may be drawn.
Deaths from causes not classified were
43l.
PREVAILING DISEASES.
Reports of sickness received from % To-
calltIeS in different parts of the State show
tendency to abatement in all hitherto
prevailing diseases. The leSsened rain
1all and the increased temperature during
diminishing the prevalence Of pulmonary
diseases, although the frequency and ia
tallty OF pneumonia was exceptionally
great for March We find an increasing
number Of reports Of diseases of the ALI
mentary canal, although cholera infan-
tum does not figure among them. Dysen-
terry was quite noticeable in many lOcali-
ties, but OF mild type.
CONCERNING DIPHTHERIA.
Diphtheria and Group still continue to
be the scourge of young life, and claim as
victims many of the healthiest children.
as well as the weakest. The direct cause
remains still a mystery. After the most
careful research, made by the Local Gov
ernment Board in England DIR. Bu-
chanan, the Chief Medical officer, SAYS:
This disease has appeared to prevail
under every variety of associated con-
ditions. AS usual, it has been accom-
panied, or its outbreak has been pre-
ceded by abundant cases of apparently
innocent sore throat. Neither has the
approximate cause of diphtheria become
any more apparent from the various
meteorological Investigations that have
been made," although all observers agree
that the disease is owing to a bacillus, the
identity of which is yet.undiscovered 1t
is also agreed that its growth is favored
in the presence of dampness and the alb
sence of light, and that dryness, sunlight
and cleanliness are inimical to it. The
view Is also gaining ground that the dis
ease is local before becoming general. If
this conception is established it magnifieS
the importance of using disinfectant gar
giles and washes, and the absolute ne
cessity of isolation, with strict cleanli-
ness, accurate disintection, with early
and skilled treatment, If we would hone
TO limit or prevent the disease. Professor
Lotller declares it as his opinion that the
disease affecting pigeons, calves, pigs,
turkeys, etc, which resembles diphtheria,
IS not caused by the bacillus of human
diphtheria, and that those diseases in the
lower animals are therefore Aot to be
feared as sources of the human affection.
Klein, however, believes that etiologi-
cally, they are the same, and should be
looked upon as transmissible to man. and
therefore it would be prudent to keep
such animals away from the dwelling
place during the prevalence of any such
sickness.
PULMONARY COMPLAINTS.
Pneumonia was reported in every no.
tice received, which exhibits it's great
prevalence. Following so large a pro-
portion Of cases of Ia grippe, it tends to
show that there is some sort of connec-
ton between the two. Although the
microphyte of pneumonia has apparently
been identified, it is not yet placed be-
yond doubt, as if it were, we must nee
essarily be obliged To place pneumonia
among the communicable diseases
Several facts, however, contribute to this
view, and even well marked cases were
noticed that seemed to be derived from
others in close proximity.
bronchitis prevailed extensively during
the past month throughout the State.
INFLUENZA, OR LA GRIPPE,
Continued in an epidemic form during
the month. II is now on the wane, and
probably by the next report issued il will
have disappeared from the State One of
the most noticeable features of the epi-
dcmic was the predominance of the
nervous symptoms. These were mani
fest by the violent headache the pain
down the spine, with oftentimes sensi-
tIveness of the skin, making ii painful TO
the touch, the mental depression, the
tendency to faintness, which often pre-
ceeded the attack, with the utter pros
tration following it, indicated the pro-
found impression the poison exerted on
the nerve centers.