Evening star., 1898-10-22

cases which have been reported have gen.
orally been mild; but the percentage of
deaths has been somew hat higher than
during the preceding year, although lower
than in years previous. Of all reported
cases. 30 per cent died; of the white cases,
81 per cent; and of the colored. 80 per
cent.
Diphtheria, too. has been unusually preva-
lent. The entire number of cases reported
was 100, while those reported in 1sgG-'97
amounted to but go, and during the years
Immediately preceding they did not reach
even that figure. Among the whites 494
cases were reported. and of these 81 died
showing a morbidity rate of 2.52 per 900
and percentage of fatal cases amounting
to 13o; among the co1oTed there were 206
cases, with GA deaths. fhe CORRESPONDING
ratios being 2.33 per i1NW, and 81 per
cent. The morbidity Fate for the entire
population was 2-32 per LOCO. and, of all
cases, 3S.I per cent died. The increased
prevalence of the disease and the increas-
ed percentage of fatal cases has been en-
tirely among the coiored people.
In connection with the scarlet fever and
diphtheria service Dr. Woodward saws
that 2299 cultures were received from the
throats of tnosc who were suspected of
being infected with dfphtheria OF these
1OlI were primary cultures-that Is cul-
lures from cases where diagnoses had not
been made. Only 436 of such cultures-that
Is 43 per cent, showed the presence of
6iphtheria bacillf; which indicates. it is be-
1eved. that physicians are acquiring more
confidence in the meteorological method OF
diagnosis and sending cultures from suspi-
cious cases more frequently. and which dis
proves the assertion occasionally made that
the health office finds diphtheria bacilli In
everything
Matter Of Disinfection
Dr.. Woodward, in this connection, saws:
The disinfection cf such articles as could
be moved to the municipal dslnfectins sta
tion and disinfected by steam has been
done. as heretofore, under the direction of
the health department., but the disinfection
of the premises themselves has necessarily
been intrusted to the househoders, because
of the absence of any appropriation to en-,
able the health office to do the work. De-
cisions of the attorney have from time TO
time shorn the health department of al
most all the authority which it was form
erly supposed to have under the act TO pre-
vent the spread of scarlet fever ant eiph-
iberia. Its work. therefore, is now almost
entirely educational in character, and not
conducive to the best results. Unless
amendment to the existing law are secured,
or q new law passed, no action can be
taken looking toward the limitat ton of the
spread of these diseases
The health officer calls attention to the
fact that the delay which necessarily took
place in constructing buildings for the
treatment of minor contagious diseases,
provided for by the act of March 3, 1897,
though 1t was at the time matter of re-
Is
al increase of the appropriation for such
buildings from S3o,tO0 to $65,OOO. The build
ingS are in course of conStruc ton on the
grounds of the Providence and Garfield
Hospitals, and there seems to have thus
been settled satisfactorily matter which
has been the source of much embarrass-
ment to the Commissioners and a him
drance to the work Of the health depart
H.ent.
Generous Action Recognized.
THE generous action of Providence Hos
pital," says the health officer, 'fn consent
ing to the uss of a part of its grounds for
one of the buildings provided for in the ap-
preparation first mentioned, deserves recog
milton. So also does the fact that this in
stituton has voluntarily received and treat
ed during the year four cases of scarlet
fever and thirty-tive cases of diphtheria,
without any prospect of compensation
therefor, and for which, substantially no
other hospital accommodations could have
been secured In no instance has there
been any spread of disease from any of
these cases after they were admitted to the
hospital. demonstrating rthe practical alb
Sence of danger from institutions for the
treatment of such maladfeS.
The only one of the sfAver types of con-
tagious disease which Mas existed in this
District during the past year has been
smallpox. of which there were ten cases.
Need of Detention Building.
THE need for a building separate fran
the smallpox hospital" states DR.. Wood
ward, 'in which caseshsuspected of being
smallpox can be held pending diagnosis,
which was urgently demonstrated during
the last outbreak was presented to Con-
gress several years ago. but the proposition
to erect such a building was so unfavora-
bly, received that 1t has not been again sub
mitted. 1t may possibly be received better
fI1trt tiyyon tod
hospital for smallpox has proven of great
value; but attention is again invited TO the
fact that except when it is occupied by pa
tients it is without any one to care for the
extensive ste&m heating plant and the
steam disinfecting machinery CONNECTED
with 1T.
The absence of an engineer will some
day be the cause of dangerous delay in re.
moving patient to the hospital. 1t has al
ready proved expensive economy by reason
of injury to the water and sewer services
ard to the heating apparatus by freezing.
The recommendation for an appropriation
for the services of an engineer. which has
been made annually for several years past
IS respectfully renewed"
During the year five cases of alleged hy-
cropEobla IN dogs were reported. Four Of
the animals We're examined by DIR. ID. e.
Salmon, In two instances the disease being
established and in the other two the re-
suits Were negative
Under the order of the Commissioners of
August %, 1893 there have been issued
forty-four permits to rope off streets and
alleys on account of serious illness. This
SHOWS considerable improvement over the
record of the preceding year, during which
eighty-one permits were issued.
ihe issu- of such permits has been, as
heretofore. says DR.. Woodward, based
upon certificates from the attending ply
siclans. The issue of such permits should
either be regulated by law or discontinued
altogether"
Analyses Of Food.
There were made in the chemical labor
atory during the past year COZ analyses, as
touows: or milk and cream, 357; of water
l4l' OF miscellaneous foods, Az; Of drugs
1S; OF miscellaneous substances, 49 of
which sixteen were submitted by the police
department and corcners office for analysis
to assist in the detection of crime.
''Of the $50 samples of milk examined, 2S
were submitted to the department by cti
zens, SO were collected about the city 115