Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-19
MoRTUARY STATISTICS.
Serious Phase Of Record Of tho Deaths
Of InfantA

There were 1l2 deaths in the District dur
ing the week ended on Saturday last. OF
the decedents 81 were white and IS
were colored. The death rate for
the entire population was soso. In the
preceding week the mortality was 50 the
death rate being 1872. and In the correspond
Ing period Of last year the mortality was
10l death rate II 96
DiarrhOeal diseases were responsible for
p deaths. consumption for b. cancerous
growths for ], diseases of the kidneys for g.
typhoid fever for b. malariai fevers for e
whooping cough for /. and violence for o.
hirty-four, approximately 500 per cent
or all deaths. occurred among children
under year of age. although probably less
than per cent of the entire population
lies within that age period. The chief cause
or death In this portion of the population
was. as is usually the case at this season of
the year, diarrhoea1 diseases. Nineteen
deaths occurred from this cause alone, 6
among the white population and ID among
the cOlored. Two deaths from the same
cause occurred during the second year OF
life: white and 1 colored. Not one OF the
p children who died from darrhoea: dis
eases during the past week was breast fed.
Or those under year of age 13. prior to the
onset of the fatal Illness, were fed on con-
densed milk and q on supposedly fresh cows
milk. OF those in the second year of life
l was given cows milk and barley water:
and nipples were In many cases given but
little attention. The fact that of the death
certificates issued to cover the deaths OF the
ID children under ! year Of age who died
from diarrhoeal diseases during the past
week. six were signed by the acting coro-
ner. represents a serious phase of the situa-
ton, indicating as IL does that six OF these
infants were allowed to die without calling
medical aid and this Notwithstanding the
fact that the services OF physicians and
nurses and necessary food and medicine can
be obained without cost through the vari-
Gus charitable agencies now operating In
this District. In one OF these cases tho
persons having charge OF the baby did not
know even its last name.
The number Of cases Of typhoid fever re-
ported during last week was 81. The cases
under treatment increased during the week
from 143 to no. The increase Is. however.
more apparent than real, being due to Q
peculiar method adopted by one of the local
hospitals in recording and reporting such
rected.
The number Of cases OF this disease under
treatment on August 10. 1892. was PAT.
There were cases Of diphtheria and
cases of scarlet fever reported during the
week. The number of cases under treat
but 5 in each instance. The District re-
mains free from smallpox.
The total number of births reported was
%. 81 Of which were white and 81 colored.
The mean weather conditions prevalent
during the week were: Temperature OF the
atmosphere. II degrees: relative humidity
50; and barometer. $3.50. The winds were
northeasterly moving at an average OF
but four miles per hour. and the rainfall
amounted to 1.04 of an inch. The maxi
mum temperature was 81 degrees on the
10th and minimum. 81 degrees on the 18TH