Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-25
cases were reported, with eight deaths
mortality of 3.14
TYPHOID FFYER.

TYPHOID FEVER.
Fewer cases of this disease were re
ported than in any year since 1892. On,
hundred cases were reported, agains
1877 in the year preceding. There wer,
10 deaths, mortality of 10 per cent
! is hoped that when our laboratory IL
the new city hall is fitted up, we shall
| be able to offer to physicians a bacter
| biological examination, as an aid to al
early diagnosis Of this disease.
DIPHTHERIA
Fewer cases Of this disease were re.
ported during the year than in the year
previous. No unusual outbreak oc-
CURED in any one district, except one OF
small dimensions in the Sycamore street
school district, at the close of the year.
Nine cases were reported of children in
attendance at the school, with one
death The sanitary condition of the
school building is good, and the out
break was without doubt caused by the
attendance in school of an unrecognized
case of mild character.
AS was said in the report of last year,
outbreaks Of contagious diseases among
school children are moro likely to be
caused by the attendance in school of a
mild form than by defects in the plumb
ing and drainage OF the building. That
this is not theory, is proved by the ex-
periance Of Boston and other cities that
have Instituted a system of medical in
spection In the schools Many cases of
contagious disease have been discovered
and the sufferers sent home, thereby
preventing the spread Of the disease and
no doubt saving many lives. The sys-
tAArv fet f1l1 .s4r -
divided into school districts with ply
stefan for each district Every morn
ing the physician visits the schools in
his district and examines any child
which the teacher thinks is alling or in
need OF medical attention from any
cause whatever. If the physician thinks
the ailment of sufficient Importance, he
recommends to the teacher that the
child be sent home with a statement of
the cause.
The Importance and value of this
method Of inspection in preventing the
spread of contagious diseases Of all
kinds, have been demonstrated so salts
factorily by the experience OF other
cities, that we feel 1t to be our duty to
recommend that 1t be instituted here.
We believe that beginning can be
made for a sum not exceeding $4,000, and
respectfully request that such amount
be appropriated.
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
The isolation hospital has closed its
first year Of existence, and it is no ex-
aggeration to say that it has done
splendid work. Ninety-twe cases We're
treated during the year. Seventy of
these were diphtheria, and the balance
scarlet fever. Six cases Of diphtheria
We're fatal. mortality of S,57 There
were two deaths from scarlet fever.
When 1t is considered that many Of
these diphtheria patients were in a des-
perate condition when admitted, IS of
them requiring intubation, with but two
deaths, 1t Is a cause for congratulation
that the mortality is so low. The num-
Der of cases of diphtheria treated out
side the hospital at their homes was
246, of which Al died, mortality Of 1881.
When this is compared with the death
rate at the hospital 8.57, it must be APP
parent to all what an effect for good,
the sunny rooms. the pure air. the care
full nursing and the free use Of antitox-