Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-30
Diphtheria and Anti-Toxine.

Those who have tested it, with very few ex-
ceptions speak favorably of the results OBJ
tanned. and some are even enthusiastic in
praise or It. The exact number of cases
could not be obtained, as all who used it did
not report it. but the following cases in
which 1t was eiven are recorded:
Cases. Deaths.
E o,oDnf ,:.''''................. IS IS .
december Observation-Disclosures. 20
In the December cases which died it was
used very late in the disease, only few
hours before death, and in one of the cases
IN november 1t was administered on the
sixth day of the disease, twelve hours before
death. The total number of cases of the
disease reported for October, November and
Decemeer was 11s. with thirty deaths, a
percentage Of 25.4 OF these cases it has
been ascertained that fifty-eight received
the serum treatment, of which eight died,
giving percentage Of 1871. For the CORE
spending months in 1894, when anti-toxine
was not used. there were 176 cases, with
hfty-fve deaths, percentage of 3D.
Inc results reported in intubated cases,
Wnere the serum was used, are most favor
able, ten cases having been so treated with
out single death, as contrasted with a
previous mortality of 30 per cent, without it.
the type of the disease has been about the
same as 1t was the previous year.
Milk Inspection.
In reference to milk inspection the re-
port says:
AT present there is no efficient system Of
milk inspection in the District of Columbia
samples OF milk brought to the health Of
nee Will be examined gratis, and some at
tempt 10 made to insure a standard quality
by having all milk dealers in the city regis
tered. and by requiring all milk producers
VINO send milk to the city to have their
herds inspected at their own expense. Cat
tie In the District are inspected by the We
terinary surgeon of the District fire de-
partment simply matter Of accommo-
1t goes without saying that this Is a
matter OF the greatest Importance, and that
tnere Is urgent need of a thorough and sys-
tematic examination of all cattle whose
milk is received in the city, not only as to
their freedom from actual disease. but also
in regard to their surroundings and the
method of handling the milk.
These methods, while of the greatest
Importance, are too well understood to need
further discussion. The health officer has
asked for very modest appropriation with
view to the Inauguration Of proper sys-
tenn OF milk inspection, and it is earnestly
hoped that this appropriation will be
granted and increased. as the needs of the
service require A similarly modest re-
quest has been also made for the purpose
or establishing an efficient meteorological
laboratory and disinfecting service the ne
cessity for both of which Is self-evident
At present meteorological examinations are
from financial necessity restricted to ex-
aminations Of diphtheria cases, and the dis
injecting plant is very imperfect.
General Conclusions.
The work Of the committee may be
summed up in the following conclusions:
Il. Malarial fever Of intermittent type
chiefly has been much more prevalent in
Washington and the District during
the past year than for many years
past. This increase Is largely, if not
wholly. due to the existence Of the
marshes and lowlands Of the Anacostia
river, associated with the small amount of
rainfall and the unusual variability OF the
temperature during July, August and Sep
TENDER The condition of the Anacostia
imperativeiy demands removal; otherwise
malaria must continue to have continued
and great prevalence.
2. Typhoid fever has been shown to have
had an unusual prevalence during Septem-
Der and October, one hundred and ten
deaths out Of the total POI deaths occurring
during these MONTHS The total for the
whole year is only IL more than the year
1894, only Ii more than 1890 and 1891. which
had 2OS deaths each. There is, therefore,
no reason to consider the past year as in
any sense indicating any new danger, but
the study of typhoid fever for the last fif-
teen years shows a continuous and great
prevalence of this disease. This prevalence
Is shown to be due to removable causes,
and it is the duty Of every member of this
society, as citizens and physicians, to urge
the sewerage of the city and the filtration
of the Potomac water as essential to re-
ducing the mortality from typhoid fever
and stopping the spread Of this disease.
80. The lessened mortality from all the
preventable contagious diseases is an evil
dence of the efficient work Of the health
office and Of the medical profession of the
District while the lessened death rate from
dtphtheria under antitoxine treatment sup
ports the growing favor Of this new dis
covery.
~. The history Of the recent smallpox
epidemic proves what can be done by eff
cient sanitary regulations and active SAM
tary work in suppressing this disease The
necessity for early and correct diagnosis is
also demonstrated by the facts recited.
IS. The great need of liberal appropr,a-
lions for the work of the health office and
strict laws for the inspection Of milk and
food supplies has also been insisted on"