Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-22

therefrom in the second year of the work
show a very creditaDle management and
definitely prove that these diseases are
amenable to intelligent practice and to the
rules and regulations applicable thereto
Recent investigations have added much
to our knowledge of this disease. Especi-
ally have the later discoveries, made under
the direction OF the local government board
of London. resulted In explaining many of
the mysteries surrounding it, In regard to
the etiology of diphtheria. it is now salts
factor1ly aScerained that its existence is
due to a specific bacillus. That this bacillus
attacks the throat tissues and forming
membrane Is at times, when visible, con-
founded with Group This germ is said
TO ravage the peripheral nerves, which by
tneir degeneration and partial destruction
produce diphtheretic paralysis and in more
advanced stages knee-jerks' after the
breaking up of the white substance. The re-
suits OF scientific study thus far give safe
ground to assume that the great danger
from this malady Is through personal COM
from individual to individual by contact
with the germs. which live with saliva or
In the contents of the intestines.
1t does not have its source in earth ex-
cavations, except where human excreta
have been deposited. neither is it conveyed
through plumbing, except only where the
connections are made with sewers whose
contents contain the bacillus.
with these views IL has been the unvary-
ing rule of this department to insist on iso-
.ation OF the patient in all cases and ako
terial likely to harbor these germs, or ITS
destruction by burning.
Typhoid Fever.
The prevalence of typhoid fever has been
considered by the faculty as a fair index to
the general health Of it's community There
are no means at the disposal of this de-
partment by which the number of cases of
this disease might be ascertained as well
as the number of deaths therefrom, so that
the proper percentages might be adduced
From various sources of information it has
been ascertained that the great mass of
cases Of typhoid fever occurring in this Dis
trict have developed in definite places where
the typhoid germs have been a special
source OF reproduction and of spreading
therefrom- In some cases IL has prevailed
In families who used the water from the
same well. and in others where families re-
ceived their milk supplies from the same
cases break out in groups in fixed
localities. A large number of cases
of this fever coming within the
knowledge of this department could easily
be traced to the use of milk purchased from
the same dairyman. 1t is undoubtedly true
that cows afflicted with the typhoid bacil-
Jus do transmit those germs to the tactical
secretion. Hence the close and frequent
inspection not only of milk and the dairy
establishments which supply 1t. but also of
the cattle composing the herd, becomes a
great public duty, which is now receiving
the earnest attention of this department,
with view to the making of intelligent
and effective recommendation to your hon.
orable body and to Congress-
Infant Mortality.
THE mortality of children under five
years of age amounted to over 80 per cent
of all the deaths. OF these 1,0S6 were white
and 1875 colored. Seventy-fve per cent
were under one year old. Thus as against
the total births reported, numbering
Ass, there was a percentage of 40, being
Ito. who were infants under II months
Nine hundred and seventy-two of these
were colored numbering 30 per cent of the
whole. These results are not abnormal, but
follow the general average, not only for this
community but of other cities in this coun-
try and in Europe where correct and relia-
BILE vital statistics are kept The principal
causes were summer complaints, marasmuS,
dentition and incidents during the develop
mental stage, which caused about one
fourth of all the dea tbs. Premature births
have been a prominent figure among the
developmental class of ailments, and from
ninety-three in 1883 the number. annually
Increasing has grown steadily from year
to year, until the past year they reached
162 In number.
Births and Marriages.
THE returns of births amounted to Ass,
which numbered 146 less than those report
ed in the year before.
As against 4s7 still births reported last
year there were 475 this year. One hundred
and ffty-one illegitimate to 324 legitimate
make up this little army Of the unknown.
THE matter of the apparent inequality
between the number of births and deaths
In this community the report says, be
came a subject of serious consideration. 1t
was concluded that a large number of
births annually were not reported to this
Ian ~e.1 fha
latter part of the year an effort was made
to remedy this detection by addressing
circular letter to the physicians of the Dis
trict. in which attention was called to the
great duty owing to patrons and the i'm
portance to future property interests of
these returns. 1t is to be hoped that time
will show satisfactory results following this
direction OF the professional mind to their
legal obligations. There may possibly be a
further admonition when IL Is shown by an
object lesson that the medical practitioner
who neglects to make the return of birth
to the registrar of vital statistics, as re-
Quired by law, after having received his
fees for his services. lays himself liable
to civil suit for damages. aside from the
penalty named in the statutes.
Returns of |, i24 marriages were made to
the department during the year. In the
year before there were LASS. The proper
ton between the races continues about
the same, there having been 1,077 white to
346 colored unions cemented.
The record division of this department
has grown to be very important branch
of the public service in the District of Co
lumbia. 1t embodes the only official evil
dence of life and death therein. These vol
umes, now Systematically arranged and
numbered and indexed are contained in the
upper apartments of the building occupied
by the health department. They are ex-
posed to almost total destruction should
fre occur The statement is presented
an argument IN favor of the speedy cree
ton of a governmental edifice in this city
for the use of the District business.
The HOuse-fO-House Inspection.
The report gives an account of the in
auguration in March last when there SEEM
Cd to be a possibility of the cholera's Wis
iting the United States of a system of
house-to-house inspection. resulting during
the summer In a reduction of the death rate
as compared with last year. A still greater
reduction will be shown in the final re-
port OF the houSe-to-house inspection, which
will be given. DR.. Hammett says, so soon
as the tabulation is completed and sanitary
history made Of the 1900 houses inspected
Dfphtherfa and Scarlet Fever.
Accompanying DR.. Hammett's report is
one made by DR.. c. ]. Osmun, physician in
charge Of the diphtheria and scarlet fever
service. which shows a reduction of three
hundred and fifty-two In the number of
cases of these diseases and of seventy in
the number OF deaths. These results, Dr.
Osmun believes. are plainly to be attributed
To the principla of isolation Of patiapts