Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06
whites. lbs per 1000. and for the colored

whites. 1.13e per 1000. and for the coloreo
x.060 Der 1000.
All Of the foregoing figures relative to
Tuberculosis are In excess OF the CORE
spending figures for 1909. but are below the
average for the ten-year period. The nrst
six months OF 1904 have shown further
Increase In the number Of deaths from pull
monary tuberculosis as compared with the
corresponding period Of 19O3-l76 as COM
pared with 41o. The need for suitable
hospital accommodations for tubercular pa
tients has not yet been met While certain
wards have been provided by private char
ity TOT consumptfves, which wards are be-
ing operated as part Of the Washington
asylum Hospital. there fs q large number
OF cases which cannot be accommodated
IN those wards and for which suitable pro-
visions should be made elsewhere.
Inc total number OF cases OF typhoid
Ieper reported during the calendar year OF
ie05 was Loss. Corresponding figures for
previous years are not available for pur-
pose OF comparison. the law which re-
cures cases OF typhoid fever to be reported
not having gone Into effect until February
~, 1902 The disease was apparently more
prevalent among white people than among
coiored people, OF the reported cases 137
died-equivalent to 1898 per cent Of all pa
TENTS Among whites 1899 per cent of the
cases proved fatal and among the colored
1888 The record for the first half of the
current calendar year suggests that there
mas been diminished prevalence OF typhoid
FEVER during that period. Three hundred
ana twenty-one cases were reported during
the first six months of 1903, as compared
with $50 during the corresponding period OF
Iso4. The diminution is. however, probably
apparent rather than real: for while during
the f1rst six months Of 1903 there were 81
deaths from typhoid fever during the cor
responding period of 1904 the deaths from
this disease numbered 43.
Scarlet fever was less prevalent during
the calendar year of 1908 than during 1907.
only 154 cases having been reported. as
compared with 245 The disease was, more
over, of mild type. During the first six
months of 1904, however, there was a mark
ed Increase In the prevalence of this dis
ease-237 cases having been reported, as
against 53 cases reported during the first
six months Of 1903-and the disease has as
sumed somewhat more virulent type.
The number of cases of diphtheria report
ed in 1903 was 1S1, while during 1902 the
number OF cases reported was 352. The per-
centage of fatal cases in 1903 was 1O.4Y.
There has been an increase in the preva-
lence Of diphtheria during the first six
| months Of 1904, during which period 132
| cases were reported, while during the cor
responding period Of 1908 the cases report
| ed numbered but IS.
The number of cases Of smallpox reported
| In 1908 was Al. In 1902 90 cases were re-
ported During the first six months Of 1904
the number OF cases of smallpox reported
was Is, while during the corresponding
period Of 1908 the number Of cases reported
was 30.
The Weed Law.-The general work Of the
health department has been continued along
the same lines as heretofore. Embarrass-
ment is still experienced by reason Of the
absence of any law enabling the health de-
partment to enforce the abatement Of nuis-
ances on the property OF nonresidents. The
weed law continues on the statute books,
but, in the absence of an appropriation to
enforce 1t, has not been enforced.
Appropriations should be made to enforce
the law or 1t should be repealed. and II an
appropriation be made to enforce 1t, the
lay chn he cd To fv7or
the permissible height of weeds from to
| IS inches or more. The Commissioners
| earnestly hope that the legislation which
they have recommended providing for tho
| condemnation Of buildings unfit for human
| habitation, which should be repaired or de-
| molished, as well as that necessary for the
abatement OF nuisances on the property OF
nonresidents. may be enacted at the coming
session Of Congress. These measures are OF
vital Importance to the well-being of the
community. and are supported by a strong
and increasing public sentiment.
Smoke Inspection.-The enforcement OF
the smoke law has been carried on during
the past year and as in former years. ex-
cept at the time Of the coal strike, and with
good results. A number Of plants have been
changed SO as to burn anthracite coal or
equipped with understanding devices 80
as to comply with the Law. In the case or
other plants repeated prosecutions have
been brought and fines imposed or collateral
forfeited.
for inspectors. and that therefore the neces-
sary observations of plants and prosecu-
tons have to be made by only one in
spector of the health department detailed
from other duties, makes it difficult to keep
up with this work as thoroughly as the
Commissioners desire. They recommend
that special inspectors be provided for this
purpose.
Bathing Beach.
The bathing beach continues a popular
institution. the attendance during the past
year having reached the total of As, 63s. The
highest attendance in the history Of the
beach for any one day occurred on Sunday,
June 26. when 2.0l0 persons registered. The
season happily passed without serious or
fatal accident. although the life guards are
credited with twenty-eight rescues, some Of
which. but for the courage, promptness and
skill of the attendants, might have resulted
in death.
The conditions at the beach are by no
means satisfactory. More dressing rooms
and lockers for clothing are necessary. the
dressing stalls and aisles being now so
crowded on hot days as to forbid privacy
and occasion great Inconvenience The
present accommoda lions should be quad
rupled. In addition to this, the inner basin
presented an Objectionable appearance dur
ing the summer, owing to the thick green
scum which formed on a portion Of its sur
face and the large accumulation Of weeds
were not altogether successful, and the
Commissioners will recommend to Congress
the necessity Of cleaning out the basin, sup
plying bottom of sand, and otherwise pro-
vfding fresh sweet water in which the
swimmer can battle.
A Department of Public Comfort and
Recreation.
The Commissioners believe that provision
should be made for the purchase of more
park land, which can be obtained now more
cheaply than will be possible in the future
The desire for the purchase of land for
parks is generally felt by the citizens Of
the District, and has been represented by
them to the Commissioners in strong terms
The Commissioners renew their suggestion
that they be authorized by Congress to pre-
pare general plan for adding to the pub-
lie parks In the District of Columbia.
The Commissioners believe also that the
District government should be empowered
to purchase and maintain public plav
grounds. as is done elsewhere with no
much success. Private benefcenca has
demonstrated by successful experir,ept
that the public playground is as much
needed and appreciated here as elsewhere
and at the same time the efforts of puhIic,
spirited citizens to maintain and direct
such Fairgrounds have shown that this
work ought to be done by public authori
ties. Therefore the Commissioners have
recommended In their estimates an initial
apprOpriatiOn of $1,000 for fhjs r,r,,o.n