Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-05
HEALTH OF A CITY,
Mr.. Woodward Makes His Annual
Report Today.
TIE FALLING OFF OF DISEASE
Reasons for Better Conditions and
Recommendations Made.
INTERESTING STATISTICS

The annual report of the health officer for
the District was submitted to the Commits
sionerS this afternoon. The report opens
with the vital statistics, giving in detail
the population and the percentage of white
and colored citizens. OF the entire popula-
ton Al per cent is male and 81 female
There occurred during the year just ended
5.737 deaths, Of which 3,216 were white and
2,521 colored.
Particular attention is called to the un-
expectedly low death rate in the alleys,
| the rate being 20.34. or somewhat lower
than that for the District as a whole
Classifying the mortality according to
causation, an increase Is noted since last
year in the deaths from constitutional and
developmental diseases, and q decrease in
the number from zymotic and other causes
ana from violence. From the standpoint
OF public health, the most important OF
| these classes is the zymotic, which includes
most OF those diseases regarded as pre-
ventable.
The entire number of deaths from zy-
motto diseases was 1927, which is 30 less
than the preceding year He saws the num-
Ter of deaths from diphtheria increased
from 10 to ITO; from whooping cough from
~ TO TO; and from grip from 50 to 118. The
number Of deaths from diphtheria, he says
IS not excessive, and he points out the num-
Ger OF deaths from whooping cough as in
d1cating marked increase in the preva-
leEce of this disease
The most important feature in the de-
crease of deaths from zymotic diseases,
| he says, is the dirninution in the number
of fatal cases Of typhoid fever and diar-
rhoeal diseases The deaths from typhoid
Iever Ill 1896 were 30. in 1897. 153. The
deaths from diarrhoeal diseases in 1896
We're 4iS. while in 1897 it dropped to 35S.
He says while 1t is not safe to base con-
customs on his improvement in the death
rate Tor single year it comedies with the
closing of considerable number Of sur
race wells; with the replacement of a very
considerable number of box Drivies with
running closets and the proper drainage
OF the premises. and with a closer SUPER
vision of the milk supply
All this Is very suggestive of some rela-
tion or cause and effect and possibly justi-
mes expectations of further Improvement.
Ihere were 227 deaths from violence dur
ing the year, of which 16S were accidental
IL homicidal and Al suicidal The number
or deaths from suicide show au increase
OF over the corresponding year and an
increase of 9. or also 10 per cent over the
highest number previously recorded
Inc total number Of births reported was
4,573, of which 2,761 were white and 1872
coiored He says, however in this con-
rection, il the estimated populatio below
one year of age is accepted as correct, SIG
births occurred which were not reported
Ihe births reported as illegitimate num-
bered 5T3, OF which 96 were white and AIT
colored.
Returns were received from 1.519 mar
riages, of which 9S4 were white and 935
colored. The number of marriage licenses
issued during the year was 3,61S This,
taken in connection with the number of
marriages reported, shows that 95T fail
ures to make return occurred. He says
the only remedy for this condition is the
issue OF these licenses to particular per-
sons with the right of assignment If they
be unavoidably prevented from performing
the ceremony instead Of the issue as at
To r,Sv.;&f
lied to solemnize marriages If such a
plan were adopted. he says, it would be
possible to require the proper return to
be made in each case as the name of the
person who celebrated the marriage would
be known. Moreover the illegal perform
ance of marriage ceremony would be d.
minished.
Under the act to regulate the practice of
medicine 966 physicians have been regis
tered at the health Office. The register of
dentists shows an increase of II during
the year. The register of undertakes
shows the total number to be 105.
He reneWs his recommendation that Il
crematory be erected as an adjunct to pot
ter's field, and sets forth at length the rea-
son therefor: Following this is a report of
the work of tie physicians to the poor
which shows that the number of patients
treated has been smaller than at any time
since 1898. A total of 2S.052 patients were
treated, the average cost of each patient
being so cents for medical attendance and
IL cents for medical supplies.
There were reported during the year 1GO
cases of scarlet fever, which shows a
marked diminution in the prevalence of
this disease and suggests that the type
has been mild, since but a single death
occurred.
During the year 5ss specimens were ex-
amined in the laboratory. OF the samples
of water examined lis were from public
wells and So from private wells the re-
naming five being Of Potomac water
The chemical analyses of Potomac water
fha rnrn
amounts of any of those ingredients dam
gerous to health, and while no bacilli had
been found which could positively be iden-
tinea as typhold fever or other specific dis
ease, the finding of such organisms in any
public water supply is exceedingly rare
1t is pointed out that the presence of ba-
cilli IN the Potomac water may be due to
harmless sources of contaminatio in The
upper Potomac.
School Sanitation.
The sanitary condition of the public
schools was investigated during the year,
and the recommendations of the board are
reprinted. Concerning the buildings proper,
he says those erected nowadays are mod
eled along the recommendations of the
committee and cannot be improved upon.
The sites, however, are much smaller than
the prescribed size, and might be enlarged
with great advantage to both for the pur-
pose of providing suitable Fairgrounds for
the pupils and improving the light fur
The proposed introduction of water filters
in the public schools is considered more in
the light of an experiment than in the
view of a serious attempt to equip all such
buildings with such appliances because of
the small appropT alton.
Under the head of nuisances, he says the
nest serious difficulty with which the de-
partment has to deal is under the rulings
of the court with regard to the abatement
of nuiSarceS where in the absence of La
bility on the part of the agent no prose-
cution can be had unless the nuisance is
specifically charged against the owner.
Dairy Evils.
Reference is made to the bad condition of
dairy farms outside of the District and the
statement is made that tSe people Of the
District are drinking a very considerable
quantity of milk from diseased cows He
points out the remedy for this condition to
investigate the dairy farms in the adjoin-
ing states.
Reference is made to the work of the de-
partment. in charge of the examination of
milk. OF the pa samples examined, IL per
cent had be en- watered. 1925 ger cent had
been SKINNED, and 3 per cent had been
y, 1clys