The morning call., 1892-08-24
An INCREASED DEATH RATE.
Ii Is Due to the Prevalence of the
Influenza.
The Health Officers Report Shows Decided
Decrease in the Number Of Con-
tagious Diseases

The Health Officer, DR.. James W. Keeney.
has filed his annual report with the Board
OF Supervisors.
1t is an interesting document and will re-
pay careful reading. His fiscal year ended
June 30. The report is IS follows:
You will notice an increase of 260 deaths over
the previous year. which / attribute to the pro-
lOBged and stubborn attack OF the influenza.
There was a decrease q o. deaths among the
Chinese population, prob oily due TO their I'M
proved methods Of sanitation, or the exclusion
zcI is having marked effect. The number OF
deaths from al causes was 6911, as against
665O the previous year. They are classified
as follows: Zymotie diseases 1902; constitU-
TIonal, 1898: local. 34SS; deYelopmentai, 789 ;
by violence. 3S6; unascertalned cause, l. Esti-
mailing or population al 1000 tn percentage
OF deaths i 1924 per 1000 popu alton.
The action Of your honorable board In the ap-
pOintment OF a commission to devise and suggest
sewer system cannot fail to give ben fetal
suits. II IS much needed, aud the improvements
that can be made aud suggested VIII improve
the health Of our city and allow US TO show one
Of the lowest death rates Of any city OF its size 10
the world.
DISEASE GROWING LESS
There was 4 deciced decrease in the number
OF contagious diseases during the year. In all
Instances when physicians reported contagious
diseases TO This office prompt measures were
taken to piacard The premises and TO notify The
teachers OF the school that the children were ac-
customed 10 attend. When the physician who
attended the children reported the result Of the
%.
and when lie physicians notified Us that ali
danger from contagIon had passed we issued
certificates emitting them TO be readmitted TO
their respective schools. i believe the decrease
above mentioned was due 10 this systematic aud
precautionary action.
It's frequently brought to my notice that dlph-
iberia aud scarlet lever exist in houses VIII
the parents ar too poor 10 give their children
lie proper care and noufishmeut; the conse
quence IS tue entire family die. would, there
fore, most respectfully app al TO your honorable
board that an Isolated house or a ward in the City
ana County Hospital be assigned and that such
cases be removed thereto; a competent pbysI-
clan depuiized TO give them The necessary care
and attention. In New York City they have the
willard FaIker Hospital devoted entirely TO
children.
IMPORTANCE OF PURE MILK.
The Health Inspectors have been persistent
In their work and have pushed owners aud
nuisances.
The Market Inspectors have carefully patrolled
All tbe markets where food supplies are sold.
and nave 10 every case condemned and destroyed
anything exposed for sale that was deleterous
10 health.
The sale or pure milk is OF paramount imnor,
ance and has been a source OF anxiety The ins, &c
tors frequently visit the dairieS and examine lie
COWS, Tie mode OF feeding and housing them. as
also the mrthods OF preparing the mix for mar
Ket use. Whenever they find diseased cows
they are Immediately Killed and sent 10 the bone
yard. IL is OF vital importance that a c0mpeten
chemist should be employed aud examine daily
all milk SEM 10 the city. He should be desie-
mated as the milk Inspector.
The plumbing inspectors have industriousy
IabOfed TO have tie best ana most approved SAM
taTy plumbing and ventilation Ia all newly con-
stIucfed buildings. and also In ali old ones which
we're undergoing extensive repairs. They have
also been extremely cautious IN their technical
examinations as 10 the ability of men seeking
licenses TO come plumbers and master plumb
eTs.
HOSPITAL AND ALMsHoUsE.
The Almshouse Is being carefully managed.
be CITY aud County Hospi al occ 4siUnally Is
adversely commented upon. Ia many Instances
The complaints uIfoD investigation prove ~ ound
less. The management says there Is a want OF
funds and proper facilities. In view OF the fact
that your homo able board has decided TO maze
some extensive improvements, there Is aU assur-
aBee that tie workings OF The Institution will be
more satisfactory hereafter
A. the City Receiving Hosp ital has been re-
moved 10 rs cOmmodiOIs quarters ~ the new
CITY Hall, l am sure every hing IN that depart
hIeut VIII rebound TO IL credit ana the thought
fulpess and literally OF yonr board.
Tie City Physician gives careful attention 10
all needy aud INDECENT a, uIicdnisi also IuInisb-
ipg them with necessary medicine.
For tie 1scai year 4OSS bIrlhs were reported.
Nhfir iDis Is large Increase over previous
wears, dem II essential that physicians aud
mldwiyes should feel IL duy they owe
10 lie profession aHd 20 The people AT
large 10 repor VERY birth. lie birih