New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-11
THE OFFICIAL DEATH-ROLL.
MANY FATAL CASES ASCRIBBD TO VARIOUS
DISEASES WHICH ARE PRACTICALLY
DIE 10 HEAT

DUE TO HEAT
In the records OF the Health Department there is
always a discrimination made between heat prostra-
ton and sunstroke The first Is disease OF the
nerves. due to excessive humidity. in which mans
whole system weakened by hot weather. goes into
a state Of collapse. In OF a sunstroke there Is
a sudden congestion OF the brain due to the Intensity
OF the suns rays the patient becoming instantly I'M
conscious Although there Is a medical distinction,
stu to all practical intents is only more severe
effect OF hot weather than the other.
The week last year in which fifteen deaths from
heat occurred was the week ending June 10. The
hot period lasted only three days. but was re-
markabla for rs intensity and also because 1t oc-
CURED early in the summer on one day the ther-
mometer ran as high 06. as compared with SO. the
highest for last week, but the other days were cool,
the thermometer going as low as 81 The average
for the week only g. compared with ~ for last
week When II Is considered that the temperature OF
the weather has been average of nearly 50 Tor
every hour the day for week. 1t can be seen now
facilitating II has been This only goes up 10
o'clock on Saturday last. and undoubtedly the ig-
ures for that day would bring the average of the
week I'D notch or two. The highest DAY record lot
the week UP to Saturday was 49,
A. the Department OF Health yesterday II was
said that only five deaths from heat had been re-
ported for the week ending August 9, which In
compa rison with the fifteen in week In last
wear Is not at all remarkable. The secretary con-
fessed however that there were many more cases
In which, while the death was given as from some
other cause heat stated as the secondary
cause Many OF those who died last week from
other diseases than heat prostration really died
from heat because IL their constitutions had not
been so weakened by the heat they would have re-
covered While these deaths not charged 10
heat by the Health Department. practically they
should be.
Since the beginning OF the present week. up to
three o'clock yesterday afternoon, five certificates
OF death from heat had been received None of
these deaths had taken place in the hospitals and
some were private cases which had not been re-
ported at Police Headquarters. The secretary says
that doctors have four days after death takes
place In which to report, that undoubtedly the
Coroner holds many certificates. and that within
the next three days the death record from
the heat Saturday, Sunday and Monday will
probably reach point unsurpassed in previous
years.
In speaking of the general health OF the city in the
summer the secretary said that 1t had been unusual
ly good The deaths from summer complaints were
the greatest In the week ending July 49, when they
were 1876 In that week It Is interesting note
that there only deaths from sunstroke
In the vital statistics for last week and the week
before there Is found most remarkable proof of the
OF giving out sterilized milk for the poor chill
dren OF the city. In the week ending August there
were deaths. or these 257, 657 per cent.
death of children. Last week. which was right in