Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-17
Drath- Rate OF Richmond, Va, 1S14-1S03.
GETTING STEADILY BETTER.


II appears from the table that the
health Of Richmond has been better du-
ring the past ten years than during the
preceding decade. and that In 1888 the
dcath-rate was the lowest on record for
any year since 1874. In 1874 the rate was
2S.3, in 1896 il was 25J. or a difference
Of per thousand. which means a
saving of at least 100 human lives per
annum. solely due to the improved sani-
tary condition OF the city, a pure-water
supply. and the general advance in medi-
cal science. 1t appears further from the
table that there has been a constant and
considerable decrease in death since 1880,
in which year the largest number OF
deaths was reported for any year on re-
cord
Having arrived at this point, In one
sense the most important-namely, that
at no time in twenty years has the gene
raj death-rate been as low as II was III
lSg,-we come TO the question whether
this rate of 235 per 1000 compares favor
able with the rate for other cities OF
similar size, a comparison frequently made
In the Board of Health reports.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER.
In a comparison Of the health of one
city with the health OF another city or a
group OF cities, there are many points
that should be carefully considered before
such comparison is undertaken. IN
the first place the basis OF the death
rate should be the same for the different
cities to be compared. Unless this be the
case 1t would be absurd TO compare the
death-rate OF one city with a guessed-at
populatIon of 10000, but with Il real popi-
lation of loo, with another city which
bases its death-rate on population ac-
tually known. In the second place,
there must be no difference as 10 when
deaths ought TO be included in the total
returns at the end OF the year, and when
ought to be excluded. Some cities, Tor IN
stance. do not include the deaths OF non
residents others exclude deaths from sui
cides accident. and violence. while stli
others include still-birth which are not
counted in the mortality returns of most
cities They are usually reported sepa-
rately To compare the death-rate OF Rich
mond with the Published rate OF Charles
ton. s. c., would, for instance. be mis-
leading, since Richmond includes death
from accident and violence. while Charles
ton excludes such deaths in calculating
the death-rate for the year.
In the third place. the nature ana char-
acter of the population OF city must
be considered, and comparisons are al
missible only when the population 10 q
large extent Is ABOUT lHe SAINT i'N' -
seems unfair 10 compare Richmond WIN
a population of some 5000 negroes Ia
race which is especially subject to high
rate of mortality. due to inferior physique
and unsanitary mode of living, with a
city like Columbus, o.. with coiored
population of about Goo Toledo. o., with
g. white population of 5000, and negro
population of only 1000; or Worcester,
Mass. with a white population or S,Vo'
and a colored population of about l,Vo''
For il is "A well-known fact that without
exception the death-rate OF the negro
population is from so to 100 per cent
higher than that OF the white race.
Most southern cities publish death-rates
for both races together. and for the white
and colored race separately but In com
paring the cities OF the South with the
cities of the North and West this factor
is usually overlooked. Yet. II stands 10
reason that unless white rates are com
pared with white rates the comparison
viii be misleading and without value.
RATE FOR TWENTY YEARS.
For example, the death-rate OF Rich
mond I'm 1890 was 2S.4 per 1000. while
the death-rate of Fall River. Mass. In 1880
was 229. This would make 1t appear that
the city of Fail River was more healthy
city than Richmond, and. In consequences.
a more desirable place OF residence. How.
ever. II the white rate for 1880 Is com
pared with the rate for Fall River. II
will appear that In Richmond only 22.3
white persons per 1909 Of the white popu-
lation died. as compared with the Fall
River rate OF z29. For the purpose Of
making the point as clear as possible.
and at the same time place at the COM
mand OF those who may have use for
the figures "A statement OF facts, l give
below table showing the rates for
whites and negroes for the twenty years
lS74-'93 This table Is based on the esti.