The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-02-16
THE BOARD
OF HEALTH.
Does Not Think the Borough COun-
Gil is Courteous.
DEATH RATE in THE TOWN
II is Higher Than the Rate in London,
Paris, New York and New Orleans.
The Boards Annual Report.
DEATH RATE in THE TOWN

The Board of Health last night held the
meeting that was prevented a week ago
by the blizzard. The members in attend
ance were President Spalding, Messrs.
McHale, Miles and Broughall, Secretary
Scanlan and Health Officer Miles.
The secretary reported that thirty two
burial permits were issued since the last
meeting of the board and that five cases
of scarletina and one of diphtheria were
reported.
President Spalding took occasion to
criticise the Borough Council for dis
courtesy. He said the body had not
acknowledged receipt of the boards
second annual report and had apparently
| ignored it. 1t seems to be habit of the
Council to ignore everything the Board
| of Health does. There is not the least
manifestation of co operation on the part
of Council. The public distribution of
printed copies of the boards report had
been withheld in courtesy to the Bor-
| ough Council until the latter body would
have a chance to see and pass upon it,
but since it had apparently been ignored,
| President Spalding said he could see no
reason why the distribution should be
stayed any longer. He thought that, in
common courtesy, the Board of Health
should receive more recognition at the
hands of the Borough Council.
Mr.. Miles said that as every communi-
cation sent to Council seems to have been
ignored he was in favor of the Board of
Health reiraining from sending in any
more.
Mr.. Broughall made a brief report as
delegate to the state sanitary convention,
held at Harrisburg, an in commenting
on the discussions at the convention
called special attention to a statement
made by the proprietor of steam renovat,
ing works, who stated that mattress
cleaned at his place was handled by five
of his workmen and every one of them
contracted typhoid fever.
According to the vital statistics furn-
ished by the second annual report of the
board the total number of deaths in town
for the fiscal year ending December 3lst,
1894, was 400 These deaths were appor.
toned, as to causes, as follows Accidents
81; bronchitis, %; heart affection, 40 {;
cholera infantum, 90; pneumonia, 80 ;
marasmus, q meningitis, 27; Group, IL;
diphtheria, q commissions, Z; typhoid
fever, 8; apoplexy, Z consumption, 10;
paralysis, 6; miscellaneous, 12O
An important feature in connection
with this part of the report is the average
death rate shown. 1t is larger than the
rates shown by many OF the greet,
crowded cities. The following averages
for 1894 are furnished for comparison
London, 1904 deaths to the thousand ;
Paris, 20.05; New York, 21.S; New
Orleans, 275; Calcutta, 30; Moscow, "a 5.
Shenandoah's average is estimated on a
population of 1900 and it gives rate Of
2Z06 to the thousand, exceeding the rates
of London, Paris and New Orleans.
The figures used here for the purpose Of
comparison were compiled by tenement
house commission at New York city.
This commission has concluded that the
density Of population is only one of mum
erous factors determining death rates,
Drainage and general sanitation" are
the most important factors, the commits
sion says. 1t concludes that people can
live together with safety and comfort
when they keep clean, but when taken to,
gether, dirt and crowding are deadly.
A communication from the State SAM.
tary Association urging the local Board
Of Health's CO operation against the pro
posed amendment to the laws of May
IL, 1893, by which it is proposed to abolish
boards in boroughs and leave the powers
to the sanitary committees OF Borough
Councils, was read and the secretary was
instructed to communicate with Repre-
sentative Wyatt and Senator Coyle ant
urge their co operation against the pro
posed measure.
Oysters and CLAIMS in all STYLES at No 1