The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-10

| A typhoid fever epidemic is raging
in the city. The situation is serious
enough to call forth prompt action by
the city council in rendering such as
sistance to the health department as
is necessary to prevent a further
spread of this formidable malady.
The health departments September
report, which was issued yesterday.
shows that no less than 46 cases of
typhoid fever were reported during the
month. The reports so far this month
show a startling increase, twenty
seven new cases having been reported
up to last evening. The health author
tiles are doing everything in their
power, with the limited force at COM
mand, to cope with the emergency, but
their efforts will be of little avail pro-
vided the people generally of the city
do not render assistance.
THE CAUSE.
Typhoid fever is pre-eminent1y a
disease of filth and unsanitary con-
ditions. If the sanitary conditions were
good and people would keep themselves
and their premises clean, typhoid fever
would be almost unknown to the com
munity. The cause of the prevalence
of this fever at the present time is
probably due more to the general filthy
condition of peoples back yards and
outhouses than anything else. The wa
ter may be at fault to some extent, and
there is strong probability that many
of the diaries are not kept in the best
of condition and the disease conveyed
in the milk But the main cause is the
lack of sewer systems and the absolute
carelessness Of some people in keeping
their premises clean.
AN INVESTIGATION.
These assertions are based upon in
vestigation. The principal work OF the
health department is to enforce meas
ures against filth. It is a fact that
some people will not keep their houses
and premises clean unless they are
compelled by the authorities. And just
now q large force of quarantine in
spectors is needed to enforce sanitary
regulations.
A reporter of The Herald inspected
the records at the health department S
office Yesterday and obtained some very
interesting data. Up to date 90 cases
of typhoid fever have been reOorted
divided as follows: January, 2; Febru-
airy, 1 March, 1; April. 2; May ?;
June, /; July 8; August, 8; September,
46; October l to 10, 26. These figures
may not be complete as many cases
exist which are not reported to the
health commissioner. But they give an
approximate idea of the increase dur
ing the past six weeks. Under the law
local physicians are required to report
to the department such cases as they
come in contact with. AS soon as this
antine inspector is sent out to inspect
the general environment and report as
to the sanitary conditions and other
probable causes.
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES
From these reports on file the report
er gathered the following figures, TAX
ing as a basis the ~ cases reported
from Sept. 1 up to Oct. 10:
Number of cases occurring in houses
with neither cess pools or sewer con-
nections, SO; number Of cases in houses
with cess pools, Is; number Of cases in
houses with sewer connections, 8;
number Of cases in houses where city
water is used, SO; number using arte-
sian water, IA; number using surface
water, 8; number Of cases directly
caused by stagnant surroundings, II;
number of filthy outhouses, II; num-
Der OF cases edSt Slde OF MAIN Sfree-,
81; number of cases Yves. side of Main
street, 40.
The ages of these cases ranged as
follows: From to 10 years, %; from
10 to 20 years, "a; from 20 to 30 years.
10; from 30 to 10 years, 81 from 40 to
60 years, G; over 60 years, L
From the above it will be seen that |
the epidemic is not confined to any
particular part of the city. A note
worthy fact, however, is that in the |
of instances the cases have /
in houses without either cess
pools or sewer connections.
A COMPARISON.
In this connection comparison can /
be made with last years epidemic. The +
following is taken from Health Com |
missioner Dalby's report for 1885:
The department was more than vigil |
liant during the year in making a thor /
ough examination of every house il i
GLIDING the surrounding environments
in which case Of typhoid fever had /
been reported as existing, with view
of determining, if possible the cause
Of the prevalence of this disease in /
our city. This report does not include