Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-07

from year to year.
Pulmonary tuberculosis stands first
among the diseases which contributed to
mortality in the District during 1902, and
among the other diseases which are pre-
vsntabe in that they are communicable.
pneumonia, typhoid fever. whooping cough.
dlphtheria, malarial fever. childbed fever.
measles, scarlet fever and smallpox rank
next In the order named, as cause OF
death.
Among diseases not ordinarily classed
a. preventable. which includes, 1t may be
said. some diseases preventable Largely
through personal hygiene and others
relative to the prevention of which but
little Is known, the following occupy the
chief places, in the order named: Valvu-
lar heart disease, diarrhoeal diseases,
Brieht's disease, apopiexy, premature
birth and congenital debility, malignant
erowths. bronchitis. malnutrition or IN
fants, Inflammation of the stomach and
acute indigestion. broncho pneumonia,
congestion of lungs, cerebral meningitis
and commissions of children
Crusade Against tuberculosis.
1T is hoped that the present general
crusade against tuberculosis may result
IN decreased mortality from that dis
ease, and it may be confidently expected
THAT the excessive mortality from typhoid
fever will be checked with the compile
tion of the filters now in course of con-
struction Malarial fevers will become
marshes which occupy 50 large part OF
certain portions of the District.
The number of death from diarrhoeal
diseases among children under one year
ct age has been diminished since 1920
and during the past three years the death
rate from such causes among children
less than two years old has been falling
continuously despite an increase in the
death rate from corresponding diseases
of adults. The prevention, however, OF
communicable diseases will probably
be accomplished best through the educa-
tion Of the public with reference to their
rausation and it is hoped that through
The corporation of the various public
agencies engaged in sanitary and educa-
tipnal work something may be accom-
pliShed toward this end.
While during the calendar year 1872 ty-
phoid fever prevailed To an unusual de-
gree, cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever
wore much less numerous than $ ordinar-
lily the case Smallpox during recent years
has played a conspicuous Fart in the d s
trict only through the time and money
which has been required in order to pre-
vent it gain ng footfold Efforts to this
end have thus far been successful.
The foregoing statistics have reference to
the calendar year 1902. In order that in
formation relative to the mortality stats
ties of the District to as late date as
possible may be available the following
statement is submitted with reference to
returns of deaths and OF contagious dis
eases filed during the first six months OF
1913. The total number of deaths reported
during that period was 3t0i, an increase of
tS over the number reported during the cor
responding period of last year.
Deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis in
creased from 35T to 4f9. Deaths from diar
rheal d seases among persons over years
of age increased from Is to 80, although
deaths from corresponding causes among
persons less than years old decreased
from 90 to "a. There was no material
change in the number of fatal cases of
pneumonia, 1913 having been reported during
the first SIX months of 1872 and 3G6 during
the first six months of 1903. Gratifying de-
~Teases are noted with reference to the
prevalence of typhoid fever, d 'phtheria and
scarlet fever. No comparison can be drawn
between the number of cases of typho:d
fever reported during the first $ x months
of the two years just mentioned because
the law requiring cases of typhoid fever to
be reported was not enacted until Fcbru-
AIRY 4, 1902
The number OF deaths from this disease
reported during the first half OF 1912 was
however, 20. while the number of deaths
reported during the corresponding period of
100" was but 81. During the first six
inoaths OF wv, III cases of diphtheria were
reported, with 81 deaths; the number re-
ported during the corresponding period of
1ao" was but IL and the number of deaths
bur y AS between the two years the num-
Der of cases of scarlet fever fell from AZ
10 81. aud the number of deaths from to
l. Deaths from suicide have been much
mora common during 1895 than during 1902
During the first naif of the current year 20
III.
during the corresponding period of the pre-
cooling year but r6 occurred
Il Is hoped that much good will be ac-
cnrnplished during the current year as a
result of the provision which has been
made for the medical inspection of public
schools. Legislation is earnestly desired
Tor the restriction of what are known as
minor contagious disease outside OF the
public schools Under existing conditions
these cases are brought TO the attention
"f the health department only as deaths
occur. and there is no statute in force
which restricts in any way the movements
OF patients suffering from such maladies
w lien ii is noted that during 1902 more
deaths occurred from a single one of these
to-ralled minor contagious diseases-whoop-
ing cough-than from smallpox diphtheria,
and scarlet fever put together, the desir-
ability OF legislation is apparent. 1t will
not be necessary in such cases to placard
premises OF TO quarantine patients as Is
done in the case of other diseases. but no
ono should be permitted knowingly TO do
any unnecessary act liable to cause the
spread OF such diseases.
Inspection of Food.
The inspection of foods and drugs dur
ing the past year has been performed in a
much more satisfactory manner than here
tofore; not only has work been done on a
more extensive scale, but ii has been done
moro systematic basis. Legislation
IS needed. however, to regulate the sale of
Ice ana possibly 10 regulate The sale OF
spring waters. Both Of these now form
important articles of commerce and are
liable 10 he the media through which COM
nunicable diseases. notably typhoid fever,
are spread. Legislation IS needed too, to
replace the unsatisfactory pharmacy and
poison WIS now in force. During 1902, II
suicides occurred through the use of poi-
sons. and during the first six months of
the current year IL suicides We're due to
the same cause
The importance, however. Of legislation
to restrict the sale of poisons does not
rest wholly upon the dcsirabiity of limit
ing suicide so far ns may be possible. OBJ
serVatiDns elsewhere have shown an APP
parent increase in the number of persons
addicted TO drug habits, and there is no
reason to believe that conditions in the
District of Columbia are different Every
possible safeguard, therefore. should be
thrown around the sale OF poisons. so as
10 prevent the formation OF such habits,
and their wilful sale without "A physi-
Clans prescription 10 persons known to be
SO addicted. or the unnecessary prescrib-
ing Of such remedies To persons of this
character, should bc absolutely forbidden
The Smoke Law.