Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-02
EFFECT OF NEW RULE
DENIAL OF RIGHT TO USE PEN
Atty ENVELOPES.
Noticeable Falling Off in Reports Of
Births-Health Officers
Explanation.


use penalty envelopes is the remarkable
reason given for tine falling off Of the birth
rate In the District by the health officer in
his weekly report today. The number of
births reported was only thirty-four this
week. while the number Of births reported
usually numbers 100 or more. The reason
given for the decrease in the birth rate,
while 1t may seem remarkable on it's face,
is very plausibly explained by the health
officer, who alleges that the reports of births
have hitherto been sent in penalty envel-
opes and that the denial Of the use of the
same has prevented the reports reaching
the Office in time to be included in this
weeks report.
In his report DR.. Woodward states:
THE births reported numbered thirty
four. of which twenty-six were white and
eight colored: males and females seventeen
each. The number of births reported dur
Ing the past week is smaller than the num-
Der reported during any corresponding
period within the recollection of those hav-
ing charge of birth returns. The number
of births reported is ordinarily about 100
each week. The falling off is attributed to
the recent decision denying the government
of the District Of Columbia the right to use
penalty envelopes. Physicians and mid
wives have heretofore been furnished with
such envelopes. addressed to the health de-
partment, for the purpose of making re-
turns of Births and finding themselves
called on now to pay postage on such re-
turns they apparently in some cases solve
the problem by making no returns what
soever.
Unwilling to Pay.
This may in some cases be due to an I'M
willingness to pay postage. but is probably
more often due to the inconvenience incl
dent to the purchasing OF the stamp before
mailing the birth return. 1t should be un-
n oF hot foil ,rrn To oolro a
birth return is punishable under all circum-
stances by fine and Imprisonment and that
physicians and midwives are not freed from
liability because they find it necessary to
pay postage in order to make such re-
turns"
Mr.. Woodward intends to proceed against
the persons who have failed to report
births.
The law provides that all physicians and
midwives who fail to report births within
six days after their occurrence shall be
subjected to a fine of not less than $25 nor
more than $500 for each offense. DR.. Wood
ward now has list of thirty-six births that
were not reported to his Office, but which.
he has reason to believe, occurred within
the past week. Unless the persons who
have SO failed to report make their state
ments with a plausible excuse within
reasonable length of time, it is his intention
to proceed against them forthwith.
Mortuary Report.
1ueTe were lUU u0dtIS III the DlStTlCt
ing the week ended on Saturday last. OF
these 50 were white, representing a death
rate of 1873, and 4s colored, the death rate
being 200. In the preceding week the
deaths numbered 90, the death rate being
1856 as against 1873 in the week just ended,
and 700 in the corresponding period of last
year. The chief causes Of death were:
Diarrhoeal diseases, ~; consumption, 10;
acute diseases of the lungs, &, and diseases
of the kidneys, 8. There were 80 deaths
of infants under years of age, of which
81 were under year DID, and of the whole
number q were colored and 10 white
There were fatal cases Of typhoid fever
and 1 Of whooping cough. By violence
there were deaths, all accidental. 1 being
from window and l from traumatic teta-
nus
At the close of the last report there were
1874 cases of typhoid fever under treat
ment. During the week this number
increased by 81 new cases (the number of
new cases reported during the preceding
week was 32) and decreased by 20 recov-
cries and deaths, leaving 2l2 cases under
medical care, as against $40 in this period
year ago.
The cases of diphtheria brought over
from the former week were increased by
the addition of 4 new cases to 10, which
number were In quarantine at the close OF
Saturday last.
antine at the close of the last report were
reduced by l recovery to 3 at the close OF
this week.
The mean weather conditions prevalent
during the week were: Temperature Of the
atmosphere, IS degrees; relative humidity
.o5. and barometer, 29.S1. The rainfall was
l.52 inches, with northeasterly winds. aver
aging miles per hour. The maximum
temperature was SO degrees on the 25th
and minimum 81 degrees on the GOTH