The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-11
THE COST OF TYPHOID AND THE
CAUSES.

The question of the health Of cities
is always up and always fresh. The
northern newspapers write of pre-
ventaJble diseases and puts typhoid
fever among them. But is that a
settled fact among the best physi-
clans and medical authorities? Is
consumption also preventable in h
known to be? In Philadelphia las
week there were 451'deaths. OF these
As were from typhoid, diphtheria and
scarlet fever. But 131 were from con-
sumption and bronchitis. There is
talk, even alarm over typhoid, but no
particular stir over lung and bronchi-
al troubles. Sanitary measures are
resorted to i'm fever, but no precau-
tions are used as to consumption, &c.
So the city is moved as to typhoid. The
Press of that city says:
1T is a time for plain speaking. The
vital interests of the city are in peril.
The lives of the people are endanger-
ed. Typhoid talks through our homes
and the cause is unmistakable. The
pollution of our water is more deadly
than a thousand assassins. 1t has pro-
duced an epidemic which has justly
excited general alarm and summoned
instant measures OF Keller and
remedy"
One publication figures the cost. Tt
estimates deaths at from 400 to 800 10y
typhoid, and from 1000 to 5000 cases.
The cost is Gloss it calls 'it) from a half
million to $500, 900. At Johnstown,
Penn, the mayor, who is a physician,
says the honey loss from typhoid in
a single year was $57,23O. This does
not include in expenditures the cost Of
mourning goods, loss to those who
survive in wear and tear of body and
mind. The mayor says it could all he
prevented. He writes:
"If it We're proposed that some one
should be given the privilege of COM
ing into a community n levying a
tax on the people, equal to the cost OF
a ~preventable disease for one year,
there would be a general uprising.
But if the community could substitute
such a tax for the cost of a prevent
able disease, it would be the gamer.
The tax imposed by ~preVentable dis
ease is one that Shouts not he endured,
because it need not be endured"
While the cause of typhoid has been
traced direct to polluted water in
many instances, it would be very diff
ficult in the south in hundreds of in
stances to detect the cause or causes.
Where the water is pure and well
nigh perfect typhoid often fOurishes
with most destructive results. There
is no doubt in the world of the benefit
of sanitation. THAI is established by
unnumbered evidences that are the
very best. But to prevent typhoid al
ways or in a great many instances is
Just what we are slow of belief. There
are typhoid germs, but the trouble is
to keep them out Of people. In the
hilly and yer mountainous sections
of North Carolina typhoid prevails
more than in the malarial east. A
great lea a be done by home in
spection, by lot cleansing, by official
action, by a complete system of sani-
tation and sewage, by procuring
n0altntuI Qr1rlKlnS water.
Charleston's last health report is
worth examining. There was a de-
crease of deaths las year of whites Of
"A. The deaths numbered 447. The
negroes had LAB, a reduction of 2O5.
Total decrease 279-nearly Z per cent.
The death rate for the year Of the
whites was 1852 in very 1000 inhabi-
tants, and that of the negroes 31.49,
or double the whites. For both races
q. So, which is still very hign-some 5
negro deaths were lower than in
tWenty-nine years at that, as we learn
from the News and Courier, from
which We gather the statistics. There
vas no epidemic, although the death
rate was so high, but still much re-
duced as compared with 1896. % 279
less people to die is surely a thing to
be thought over. 1t means that many
lives saved. Is there any cause for
this saving, for such marked improve
ment? And why 50 many deaths
such a high rate of mortality. The
News and Courier had over a column
editorial upon the report of the health
officer. The following contains a
strong hint to other cities:
There are" he reports, again,
about 10000 privy vaults in Charles
ton," polluting the earth, the air, and
the water used by the poorer people
for drinking purposes. Only 2,194 We're
cleaned OUT last year. The whole
foul array should be destroyed. at
whatever cost. The city bacteriologist
states. in his report to the health Of
fcer, as the result of his investigation
of water from infected premises, that
Two privieS alone were responsible
for four cases of typhoid fever and
three deaths" And there are II, 900
such places in h city. OF SO wells
and cisterns examined by him, nearly
10 per cent We're found to contain or
ganisms indicating local pollution.
The significant testimony is added that
OF the cases Of typhoid fever investi-
gated by him during the past seven