Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-24
MANILA'S DEATH RATE
VAST IMPROVEMENT IN THE
HEALTH OF THE CITY.
lEratifying Results Of the Work OF the
Medical officers of the
Army.

Surgeon General O'Reilly has received an
interesting report from the medical ofl-
GERS in the Philippines, showing especially
Ia steady decrease in the death rate OF the
citv of Manila as a result of the operations
of the medical officers of the regular ana
volunteer army since the establishment OF
the board of health under their direction
In 1900 The sanitary Improvement which
has been brought about Is shown by COM
narrative statements Of the death rate OF
Manila for the first quarter OF the past
four years, figured for each month on a Da-
sis of deaths occurring In each LOO pOpu-
lation for one year. 1t appears from these
figures that the annual death list for the
first quarter was as follows: 1900. $3.50;
1901, IS 10; 1902. 3O.33; 1908. 22.17. These
figures show that SO far during the pres
ent year the Manila death rate is less than
half what 1t was FOR the same period four
years ago: and also that. based on present
estimates of population, the numDer Oh uxss
which may be expected to be saved In I9oo'
Judging from the three months alreaoy
past, as compared with the year IsVo' "iAi
amount to no less than liz
! Assistant Surgeon Munson says that the
Improvement in the conditions this year
has been accomplished in spite OF the TACT
that Asiatic cholera and bubonic plague
had both previously gained foothold IN
the islands. and that the existence OF a
largely unvaccinated population In the
provinces meant a constant 1ntrooucuon
into the city of the infection of smallpox.
Cases of plague, cholera and smallpox
have occurred in Manila during the present
year. but the precautions taken by the
board of health have prevented any cpl
demic outbreak therefrom.
THE sanitary results obtained In the
past four years through American control
have been accomplished" says Dr. Munson
despite the naturally insalubrious location
Fof Manila and its total lack OF sanitation
under the former sovereignty, wh1ch-from
the level site interfering with drainage. the
many foul canals ramifying through the
city, the absence Of any sewerage system
and the existence OF an impure ana m
sufficient water supply and many old. un-
healthful habitatiop-have created sanitary
problems Of the greatest dihcufty. Inc
board of health has therefore been unable
| to turn previously existing methods ana
conditions to sanitary advantage and has
found il necessary not only to develop en-
tirely new plans Of Improvement. but at the
same time to combat the results OF con-
ditions inherited from the Spanish admin
istration. The mixed character Of the in
habitants. with their prejudices, superst1-
tons and largely primitive habits OF life.
has also been q constant obstacle In SAM
tary work. as evidence OF which II may
/ be mentioned that circulars Of the board
of health are necessarily published In the
English. Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese
languages.
{ Attention Is invited to the fact that the
kpresent annual mortality in Manila, PIT.
Fas lower than that OF many cities not COM
monty regarded as unhealthful situated in
the United States and elsewhere. WASH
ington city is included In this list, with an
annual death rate per LEGO in 1900 of ESQ.
According to DR.. Munson the present death
rate of Manila compares not unfavorably
with that of many representative cities
throughout the world, which possess all
tlnodern sanitary conyeniences q long-estab-
Ilished government and a highly educated
population, such as San Francisco. Boston
and New York, Glasgow, Paris, Vienna and
E-Iavana.