Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
DEATH RATE FALLING
STATEMENT REGARDING HEALTH
CONDITIONS IN CUBA.
Minister Quesada Declares That There
Are Only Sporadic Cases Of Vel
low Fever on the Island.

Senior Quesada. the Cuban minister. in
view Of reports that yellow fever was be-
ginning again to obtain a foothold in Cuba,
vigorously enforcing sanitary precautions.
has given out the following official state
ment:
Death Rate Falls.
1.-THE rate of mortality in the island of
Cuba has steadily decreased since the es-
Enlistment of the republic. From OFF,
cial data the annual death rate In the
four last months have been. In the district
of Havana. as follows: August, 1912; Sep
TENDER. 1924: October. 17.31. and Novem-
Der. 1880 per 1.OOO and for the whole ISL
and 1851. 1915. $40 and a. respectively.
This compares most favorably with the
best showing of the states Of the Union
and of the countries of Europe, and is
due not only to our splendid climate, but
to the conscientious efforts of the central
sanitary department of Cuba.
No Epidemic.
There has been no epidemic Of quaran-
Unable diseases. Yellow fever, smallpox,
cholera and the plague have not developed
in Cuba since the proclamation of the re-
public Neither of the two cases of yell
low fever at Punta de SAL in October and
November, has propagated beyond the orig
inal case.
1T Is true that. owing to the financial
inability of certain municipalities, brought
about by the recent war. and up to this
year. to the low prices obtained by our
staple products, they have been unable to
do as much they would like for water
supply street cleaning, pavement and sew
ers. but there is no indication of yellow
fever in any of the ports or towns.
Appropriation by Congress.
president Palma has asked several times
for large sums for public improvements
and to help the municipalities, and only
few days ago an appropriation of $1,000
for Immediate use. at his request, was
passed by the house of representatives.
The senate amended the bill by increasing
the amount threefold. and as soon as con-
greSS. reaSsembleS in January there Will
be ample means to attend to all sanitary
requirements.
Cuba is a nation governed by a con-
stitution, and without the action of con-
gress no money can be disbursed by the
executive. Yet as evidence of how anx-
ious are the inhabitants to maintain the
work Of sanitation, the instance of Guam
tanamo may be cited. where a week ago
the people met and subscribed several
thousand dollars for street cleaning, etc.
The sanitary authorities always have re-
ported any suspicious cases of illness and
have cared for them with the skill Of recog
nized experts.
Cuba today is the quarantine, to a great
extent, of this country. Over twenty con-
hrmed cases of yellow fever have come to
the island from other parts of America,
some In steamers bound for the United
States. and they have been properly han
died by the Cuban authorities
Precautions Taken.
Since the appearance Of the two isolated
cases Of yellow fever a small hospital suf-
ftcient for all needs. has been made avail
able in Santiago de Cuba for any cases
which may arise on shore, while the hos
pital at Gayo Duan will be reserved for
any important cases. Special inspectors
have been stationed at the different ports;
they will report daily, through the local
sanitary officer, the sanitary conditions of
those stations. and two medical inspectors
will undertake the medical and sanitary in
spection of all the houses of Santiago de
Cuba.
"Dr. Nelson himself says that sporadic
cases are liable to occur. There is no sani-
tation known which can prevent such cases.
Vaccination has been used for years. and
still under the best of conditions there is
smallpox. 1t would be unfair, indeed.
because there were cases of yellow
fever in Texas this year or cases of small
pox in many cities of the Union or deaths
from yellow fever in Panama since the
Americans have been in the isthmus to
blame the excellent sanitary conditions es-
tablished and maintained by American
health officers and to misjudge the people
and government Of this country.
Cuba Doing It's Duty.
''The utmost that can be expected Of any
country is that it sees to it that Its SAM
tary conditions not a menace to its
neighbors, and that If quarantine diseases
should appear proper precautions be taken
to prevent their becoming epidemic and
reaching other countries to their detri-
ment. The government of Cuba is doing
its full duty In the matter, and intends to
continue improving the sanitary conditions
of the small as well of the larger towns,
which now can be compared, without any
disadvantage, with those of any other coun-
try Cuba thus far has shown that it is
protecting its neighbors efficiently and that
its sanitary officers are fully able to meet
any emergency and court any scientific in