Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05

/ as are dependent upon conditions more or
less understood, as typhoid fever, the fac
| tors responsible for the increased number
OF deaths cannot be identified. From each
| OF the following named diseases the mortal
| ity during the past year shows material
increase over that for the year preceding.
| Dfarrhoea. diphtheria, grip, malarial fevers.
spidemfc cerebro-spinal meningitis, scarlet
| fever and typhoid fever.
| There was practically no increase in the
NUMBER OF deaths from violence, although
| the number of fatalities resulting from the
| operation of steam railways increased FROM
| Twelve to twenty, and these from street
| railways from tive to seven. A detailed
statement of the mortality of the District.
and a more extensive analysis Thereof, up
pears In the report of the health officer.
The increased number of deaths from
scarlet fever ana diphtheria represents, OF
| course, an increased number of cases OF
| these diseases, and the amount of worn
which has been entailed thereby upon those
engaged IN the enforcement of the act to
prevent the spread of such diseases has been
considerably increased.
Treatment of Smallpox.
What threatened to be a serious cpl
demic of smallpox was confined to less
than one hundred cases with only on
death, that being in the case of a woman
VINO did not de from smallpox, but fro.
disease with which she was suffering
Wnen the smallpox was contracted. Con-
sresS promptly responded TO the appeal
OF the commissioners with an app tria-
tlon of $Fs,uoU, part of which was usts
IN caring for such persons as were at
ilcted, guarding the property that had
Deen injected, providing camp of de-
tentlon, Whtre those who had been in con-
tact with the SICK were held until they
mad passed the period of suspicion, or had
been removed to the smallpox hospital suf-
ferlng with the disease, and VIII the last
case had been released it was found that
through careful administration of the
tund only about one-hatf of 1t had been
used, leaving a most valuable fund, which
at this time is being used to meet the cases
OF smallpox that during the autumn have
mdue thelf app arancc in the District.
Isolating Wards.
THE isolating wards provided at the
second session of the Fifty-fifth Congress
for the accommodation of patients suffering
from scarlet fever, diphtheria and other
minor contagious diseases, at Garfield Me-
mortal and Providence Hospitals, have been
completed and are now in use. The build
ing at the Garfield Hospital is the pa
WHOM pan, being three separate Struct-
ures connected, and is most complete in
every respect. This large building was
only made possible by the addition OF the
fund contributed by the Daisy Chain Guild
TO the appropriation of Congress, making
a splendid provision thoroughly sanitary
and modern for the treatment of such
diseases. The building at Providence, al
though not so large, is equally perfect in
Its appliances and appointments
In order to get the very best service
from these two buildings it has been sug-
gested that the diseases should be treated
separately that is, that scarlet fever pa
tients should be sent to one of the hos
pitfalls and diphtheria patients to the other.
In this way all of each building vii, be
entirely serviceable, whereas, if it be at
tempted to treat both classes of disease at
both hospitals, much of the space neces-
sarily will be vacant.
Advantages Demonstrated.
The advantage of having institutions of
this character for the treatment of con-
tagious diseases has been abundantiy DEM
onstrated in the use Of the smallpox hos
pital in connection with the outbreak Of
that disease. Provision should be made.
however for the construction Of a build
ing or buildings wherein persons who have
been exposed to infection can be detained
during their quarantine period and for
the appointment of some competent person
to have charge of such buildings and of
the smallpox hospital at all times, SO that
they may be ready for use in any emer-
gency.
The presence Of epidemic cerebro-spinal
meningitis is unusual. OF this disease 1oJ
cases were reported through the volun-
tary cooperation of physicians with the
health department. and of this number IL
were fatal. The danger resulting from
the presence of such disease and the de-
STABILITY of taking such steps as might
be possible to prevent it. led to the ap-
pointment of an inspector for the purpose
of making the investigation necessary to
that end. A report of this work is print
ed in connection with the report of the
health officer.
"A fatal case of yellow fever occurred
November 49, 1898, the only case of this
disease of which there is any record in
this District.
Births and Marriages.
The number of births reported during
the past year was but 4.IJ7, manifestly less
than the number that occurred. The i'm
practcability of securing evidence OF neg
lect on the part OF those required by law
to make such report has rendered it ex-
tremely difficult to secure full returns.
There were reported during the year
7%3 marriages, LIZA less than the num-
Der of marriage licenses issued. 1t NAV be
questioned whether there is any good rea-
son why those officiating al the marriage
ceremonies should be required to make re-
ports to the health officer and also to the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
In any case, however. more accurate rec
ords could be secured il the licenses issued
Were directed to some particular minister
or other persons authorized to solemnize
marriages, rather than to any person SO
authorized, DIS at present.
Miscellaneous Work.
I'm connection with the work of the
health department there has been IA gen.
eral supervision over animals suffering with
contagious diseases. The facilities at the
disposal of that department for the dag
ucsis of many such maladies and for the
proper Quarantining of animals so affected
are insufficient. In addition to tuberculosis
among cattle, which is present al all times
cases of rabies. CHAMBERS, Texas fever ac-
t.nomycosis hog cholera and swine plague
have received attention.
For some years past the health de-
partmnnt has been authorized by the Com
missioners to issue permits for the obstruc-
ton of travel on public streets to secure
quiet for persons seriously i'll. The num-
Der of such permits issued during the past
year was siXty-ene, an increase of seven
teen over the corresponding figure for the
preceding year. The matter is one which
it seems desirable should be regulated by
congressional enactment.
The chemical laboratory has performed
its proper work in the analyses of wa
ter, food drugs, end beverages, and has
also assisted the police department by the
various analyses made for the purpose Of
aiding in the detection Of crime The
health department is not, however. pro
vided with a meteorological laboratory
which, at times. especially with reference
the ANALYSIS Of water from nuhIic p,orlS