The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-09
BROKE THE RECORD
Seattle One of the Most Healthfui
Cities In the United sfates-HeaIth
Omccr Eames' Pertinent Remarks
ON the Subject-Measles Are Sub
sidinE-Enect of the Extension of
the Spring Vacation In the Public
schools.

''The month of April was characterized
By the lowest death rate Of any month
during the last eight years" said Health
Officer Eames yesterday afternoon. in adj
dressing the members of the board Oh
health. There were only twenty-seyen
deaths. making rate of less than y per
cent. per 1000 a month: or 20 be more
precise, as per cent for the month. This
phenomenaily low death rate is not
equaled by that of the 100 cities from
which we receive reports
without taking into consideration the
low death rate for April. our annual death
rate compares more than fayorably with
that of any other city of which we are
familiar
AT this point the health officer produced
a long list of cities together with their
death rates. and read it to the board.
Continuing. the health officer said: FROM
this it is evident that We have one of the
most healthful cities in the country.
Deaths and Causes.
Following is a synopsis of the deaths
for April, together with the number from
each cause: tuberculosis. 4; measles. L:
influenza. 1, meningitis. 1. cancer j. ma
rasmus. S: acute rheumatism, /: HYDRO
cephalus. 1; commissions, /. cerebral hem
orrhage. /; congestion of the lungs. L;
pyosalpinx. /. heart disease, 2, poison, l.;
fracture of vertebrae, ].
Commenting on the above, Health Of
ficer Eames said: For the preceding
four years there were reported forty
deaths in 1890: forty-one in 1895; thirty
four in 1894, and thirty-six in 1885, show
ing a marked decrease in deaths for the
month of April, 1897.
Contagious Diseases.
THE epidemic of measles which has
been prevailing during the last two
months remained undated until the lat
ter part of the month. but the recon-
mendation of the board to the board of
education, requesting that the spring va
walton be extended one week. having been
carried out. served to very great extent
in checking the spread of the disease.
For the past two weeks but few cases
comparatively have been reported. From
inquiry 1 find that but few children are
kept away from school at this time on
account of this disease. and but one death
occurred during the month from II or any
of its complications Two hundred and
seven cases were reported to us during the
month. of which 100 We're piacarded. The
remaining cases were not placarded on ac-
count of the futility of such procedure
brought about by parents purposely ex-
posing their children TO the disease.
NO case of scarlet fever was reported
during the month. One more case has
occurred (May p in the family of r. G.
Strudwick, following two former cases,
which were reported March IS. Three
cases of typhoid fever were reported, as
compared with nine for the month OF
April, 1896 The records of this depart
ment show that there has been pro-
gressive lessening Of typhoid fever in this
city during the last several years, prob
ably due to the extension of the water
and sewerage systems.
Natal Statistics.
There were 50 births reported, of which
there were % males and p females. Dur