Rock Island Argus., 1904-06-04
HEALTH 4 FOR YEAR
Pneumonia Has Played Havoc,
Says Commissioner Craig
i'm His Report.
TYPHOID FEVER DISAPPEARING
Some Repairs at Intake Pipe and
Suspicious Wells FILLED
Other Matters.

DIR. G. G. Craig, Jr.. commissioner of
health, has prepared his annual re-
port to be submitted to the city cOun-
ell. In it he says:
During the year we have had about
the average amount of sickness. but
no epidemic Of any kind. 1t seems.
however, that pneumonia is rapidly as
more virulent form all over
the country, and has even outclassed
i'm the city of Chicago
the last few years in the number of
fatalities. The last few months have
been characterized by severe weather.
and this disease has plaAed havoc in
this city during that time. La grippe
prevailed, but not extensively. The
eases. however. were of Il severe type.
fever has nearly disappeared
from the city since the repairs were
made upon the intake pipe and wells
at the wate rwoTks. What few cases
have occurred have been traced to
local wells. which have been con
demueI and filed. | am trying To ar
range to have the water OF all the
wells i'm the city examined. and if
found suspicious. to have them filled
up. without waiting for typhoid I"
appear. Those analyses which have
ben made for the city have been
done gratuitously by the state chem
list.
The filters are improved, and while
not working perfectly. are doing much
better than before. and the water is
nearly pure. rs shown by series of
samples examined by as. ct is unfor-
tunate that finances of the city will
not permit an tXtension of our filter
ny capacity to about double what it is
now)
Pneumonia Contagious.
"Pneumcnia is not classed as a con
tagious disease. but the possibility of
It's being contagious is much discussed
by the medical profession. Some re
cent cases occurring here have seem
ed TO furnish almost indisputable evi-
dCnce of cOntagion, and | have since
been fumigating after pneumonia.
would recommed that pneumonia be
added to the list Of diseases to be re-
ported to the health department. The
department.. by the health Inspector
under my direction. Since
last September have used Formaldc-
hyde. and am very much pleased with
the results. While it iS somewhat
more expensive than sulphur, it is
effective, and the only way to get the
done satisfactorily, is for
it to be done by an expert, not by the
family, as heretofore. The city has
had two outbreaks of smallpox. anI
II each instance il was prevented from
spreading further. While close quar-
lntine was maintained day and night.
the cost to the city in each case was
kept down to about one-fourth the
usual expense. and no cases arose out |
side the quarantine. In one instance.
a family who had been exposed, one
member having the disease. were sent |
to this city from Moline to escape |
quarantine there. Fortunately we
learned of it. and Immediately put the |
house under quarantine. and sent back |
tc Moline the rest of the family, con
veying them III the smallpox ambu |
lance. That no more smallpox spread |
to this city from neighboring cities, |
where it prevailed. is fortunate. and is |
probably the result OF strict enforce |
ment of rigid vaccination laws here. |
Numerous suspected cases were re
ferred to the health department.. and |
were kept under surveillance until all |
lOubt was removed.
Collection OF Garbage.
IF the present system of garba ge |
is to be continued by the |
.ity. another two-hOrse cart should be |
added. | think. however. that n
'rematory could he maintained by the |
,ity. and in the end il would be not |
only more satisfactory. but less ex-
)ensive. Where a large proportion of
water j. mixed with the garbage.
much fuel iS required to consume the |
same. but some cities are finding ere
nation under city ownership much |
cheaper. as we'll as being free from
he OH ctionable features If the
Jumping method, which contaminatcs
he water. and should he Illegal. Min
leaPolis. Milwaukee and Grand Rapids
lre examples. the first named city US
ng the DecaTrie system cf cremation.
and the two latter the Engle system.
In Grand Rapids duplicate metal cans
are provided for the collection OF gar
naCe. the full can being removed and |
replaced by an empty |
5teFiiized can. The full can is taken
to the crematury. and there emptied |
and sterilized. The haul TO the dump |
boat is long one. but that the pres
mt location i the only one practical.
n hon