Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-13
A HEALTHY CITY.
The Years Mortality the Light
est in Its History.
COMMISSIONER OYSTERS REPORT.

The Prevalence OF Contagious Diseases
Has Been Comparatively Light. . Total
OF But 93 Deaths Resulting Therefrom
inefficient Isolation-some Timely Sue-
g-ssions.
The mortality OF the past year
from all diseases has been the light
est. according to the report of Health
Commissioner &. L. Eyster, in the
sanitary history of the city. The
record shows but 1856 deaths which,
iu city with population at the
most conservative estimate of 10000,
speaks volumes for the condition Of
the surroundings OF those who live
in it. The death rate has been about
Z to 1000, a rate so low that it is
doubtful whether any city the size
of Rock Island in the country can
show so gratifying a condition. A
reference to the vital statistics in
corporated in DR.. oysters report
will disclose the fact that there has
been comparatively a small preva-
lence of contagious diseases, a total
of only ~ cases of scarlet fever and
81 of diphtheria. The cases of diph-
liberia. so far as he has been able to
trace them. contracted the contagion
from points outside of the city, and
there has been no spread of the dis
ease from these infected houses.
Improper Isolation.
The causes of scarlet fever, DIR.
Eyster claims. ''are q continuance of
the mild prevalence of the disease
beginning some two years ago, and
are due to the lack of care in isolat-
ing the cases. the proper enforce
ment of which in these mild in
stances it is almost impossible to eff
feet. This inefficiency of isolation is
the most common cause of the spread
of these diseases. Some physicians
are inclined against their better
Judgment to release their patients
before the danger of communication
is passed. Considerations of per-
sonal or family nature should not al
low a doctor responsible to the pub
lie for the result of his acts, to be in
fluenced in his determinations; vet
new cases constantly arise from these
very causes. In mild cases of scar.
let fever it has been found tina: fire.
quently a physician has not been
called in, the disease is not recog-
nized, perhaps, by the family. and
numerous children are exposed to
the contagion, which may, from the
very mildest case. produce the most
malignant. The excellent sanitary
condition of the city is shown by the
slight spread of these diseases under
such imperfect isolation"
The Mortusry Record
The total number of deaths was
1876, of which ~ were males and Ga
of the opposite sex. The largest
number of deaths occurred under the
age of l year, there being "a. Is dy-
ing between the ages of and 5, two
between and 10, IS between 10 and
20. &c between 30 and 40, 10 between
40 and 60, and 90 between 60 and so,
four having died at and over the ripe
old age of 80 years.
Sanitary Improvement Urged.
The retiring official urges upon
the new administration the passage
of an ordinance providing for the i'm
provement Of sanitary conditions,
heretofore presented to the council:
IAN ordinance of incalculable benefit
to the sanitary welfare of the city
has been before the council during
the past year, but has not as yet been
enacted into a law. l refer to the
one providing for the sanitary regu-
lation of plumbing and a municipal
officer for its inspection and enforce
ment. l most earnestly recommend
the enaction of this ordinance, as I am
confident that a proper administra-
ton Of its provisions would do
much toward the preservation
of health of all those who live in
houses connected with our drainage
systems, and the number of these
are constantly increasing, as the
sewage of the city is extended. The
first essential consideration in a sys-
tenn Of drainage is the protection of
health. Nothing is as conducive Of
ill-health as improper house drainage.
The Importance, therefore, that all
work done about the drainage of the
house should be beyond suspicion is
so apparent to all that argument On
the question seems almost unneces-
sary. The ordinance referred to so
well provides for the proper prose-
cu,ion and supervision of this kind
of work that its enaction is almost a
necessity to the sanitary welfare OF
the CITY,"