The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-11
A HEALTH RECORD
TO BE PROUD OF
RaIeigh's Death Rate Reduc-
ed 0ne-T
HEALTH OFFICERS REPORT
HE RECOMMENDS THE ISOLATION OF
CONSERVATIVES.
OTHER IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr.. Sale Thinks the City Fathers Would Ac,
Wisely to Purchase Farm For the City
and Increase the Sanitary License
to Two Dollars.


The annual report of Raleigh's Health
and Street Cleaning Departments for the
fiscal year ending February 2Sth, 1900,
has been compiled by Sanitary Inspector
T. P. Sale.
The report shows the total number of
deaths from February 2Sth, 1899, to Feb
ruary 2Sth, 1900, to be 241-white, ITO;
colored, 191.
The ratio per one thousand inhabitants
was For the white race, 10; colored, 131.
For all colors it was II. Deaths under 5
years. 77-white, 81; colored, 40. Deaths
over 20 years of age, 29-whites, IS; col
ored, IL.
The following were the chief causes of
deaths: Consumption, 81; pneumonia, 16;
heart disease, IA: diarrhoeal diseases, 33;
malarial diseases, 10; brain diseases, 16;
Bright's disease, s.; cancer, 5; bronchitis,
5; typhoid fever, q diphtheria, 1; alco
holism, 2; not stated, 20; all other dis
eases, 81.
1T will be Observed says Mr.. Sale,
chat consumption claimed a larger per
cent. of those who died than any other
single cause of death. This, however, is
a little less than that of former years,
and shows practically ten per cent. de-
crease in mortality from this cause /
believe that an ordinance should be pass
ed requiring all persons having the dis
ease to be isolated and upon the death
of such person the premises thoroughly
fumigated. This would tend very materi-
ally to decrease the mortality from this
source, and would create an impression
upon the general public that the disease
was contagious, and therefore prevent
able"
That part of the report relating to diph-
| iberia, typhoid and scarlet fevers de-
serves more than passing notice. There
were only two deaths from typhoid fever,
one from diphtheria and none from scar
let fever. This is very remarkable
showing, and one that deserves the con-
sideration of every citizen, as few cities
can boast of such a record.
The whole number of births reported
was 276-whites, 1856; colored, 14O. The
vitality ratio per one thousand 1nhablt-
ants was: For the whites, 11.5; colored,
1916 For all colors it was 1873. This
is an increase of births over deaths, and
speaks well for our system of obtaining
reports, as most cities show an increase
of deaths over births. The number OF
still births reported was 31-white, 8;
colored, %. This is no material change
over former reports, as the number OF
dead born remains about the same from
year to year.
"The sanitary condition of the city is
| what I consider good" continues Mr..
Sale. 1.-THE removal of the night soil is
done by the city, license fee of one dol
lar being charged each householder. This
plan has worked we'll, and gives entire
satisfaction. However, the fee charged is
not sufficient to operate the system, and
would recommend that the fee be in
creased to two dollars as soon as prac-
ticable, payable at the rate of one dollar
| for each six months. This would enable
us to do the work more efficiently, there
by giving better results.
''The amount received during the year
fer this purpose was as follows: From
license fees, $2,341; from sale of refuse,
| 1907. S6--making a total of $2,64SS6. The
| amount expended for this purpose was
in round numbers about $500, leaving a
deficit to come from the general fund OF
about $500. This system should be made
| self-sustaining, which would enable us to
obtain the very best results.
"In my last report I recommended the
pur base of a farm near the city to be
US fr garbage deposits. This, I be-
/ iieYr :. is The best method for the present
, Of d.sDoSing of the citys waste, and l
would earnestly request that the Board
of Aldermen give this matter due con-
sideration, with the hope that the end in
view may be accomplished in the near
| future.
II would again call the Boards atten-
| ton to the necessity of adopting some
| system by which the swill and Stops
could be Systematically removed from the
| city, We think that this work could be
| done upon the same principle as the re-
moval of night soil. The city should be
divided into six districts, and give to each
district a cart. This would enable us to
remove each day Sundays excepted) all
swill, Stops and waste matter of every
kind. A license fee of one dollar per an
mum should be charged each householder
for this service, which, | think, would be
| ample to carry on the work. This sys-
tenn, operated in connection with the plan
already adopted for cleaning surface
closets, and farm of sufficient size to
carry on small farming operations upon
which the city's garbage and waste could
| be deposited, would insure to Raleigh a
Health Department such as few cities
| could boast of. In addition to this it
would tend to greatly improve the health
of the city and insure absolute cleanli-
ness"
Contagious diseases were reported in
the city during the year as follows
Measles, 3 cases; diphtheria, 8: scarlet
fever, 4; parotitis, Z; typhoid fever, p;
smallpox, 91;-making a total of 104.
THE smallpox situation remains I'M
changed. The Smallpox Hospital and
| House of Detention were closed on July
2Sth, 1899, and not a case has appeared in
the city since. This is better than we
had hoped for. However, / will add that
the work of fumigation, isolation and
vaccination was performed we'll. in con-
sequence of which we are able to report
such good results"
The mortuary report for the fiscal year
| ending February 2Sth 1894, shows the