Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-08

sumption during the past ten years mas
been 1909. The death rates for consump-
ton were, among whites. 1853 per 10000.
and among our colore4 people, 41.I per TO-
eco OF all who died Nm this cause more
than half were in tho very prime Of life.
"As q cause of death, pneumonia ranks
next to tuberculosis. The number of deaths
in 1902 from this cause. 47S was somewhat
in excess Of the average for the past ten
years, 1893. The disease is now believed to
be preventable in much the same manner
as pulmonary tuberculosis is preventable,
namely, by the destruction or disinfection OF
sputa from persons suffering from it. and,
therefore. there is hope that in the future
1t will be less prevalent than at present
Stomach Troubles.
'Diarrhea and Inflammation Of the bow
els resulted fatally In 422 cases. OF the
decedents from this cause 1877 were white
and 2S5 co1ored, the Corresponding death
rates being for whites. 9.33 per 10000, and
for colored, 26.37. While the mortality
from diarrhea and inflammation Of the
bowels is considerably below the average
Tor the ten years, which was 1876, 1t Is, in
view of the fact that these disorders are to
a very great extent preventable by n.y.
gtenic precautions, altogether too large. 1t
is interesting to note that during the past
three years there has been continuous
decrease in the mortality from such causes
among children under two years OF age.
while among persons who have passed that
period there has been a steady increase
Typhoid and Other Maladies.
Deaths from typhoid fever in 1902 num-
bered 226; the annual average during the
past ten years has been 1853 The excess
during the year occurred altogether in the
white population.
Cancers and other tumors of like char
acter caused 217 deaths, mortality which
appears to have been exceeded but once
before. in 1900, when the number of deaths
from this cause was 21S Unfortunately,
medical science has not yet pointed the
way toward the prevention of these
growths, and no abatement IN the mortal
ity from them can nationally be expected.
''Whooping cough is commonly regarded
as malady of no great moment. During
the past year, however, this cause alone
was responsible for 1875 deaths. More per-
sons died in 1902 from whooping cough
than from smallpox, scarlet fever and
diphtheria put together
Fatal cases of diphtheria were less ire
quent than usual. only fifty having occurred
during the year and the annual average
during the past ten years having been
1924.
"Malaral fever was responsible for thirty
deaths. being smaller number than was
recorded at any, ting during the past ten ten
years. the annual average during that period
being 547.
only six deaths occurred during the year
from scarlet fever, the annual average be-
ing IA. The total number of cases reported
during the year was for. the whites 22s, for
colored II. and for all 245. The incidence
on the population was, therefore, n.3 per
10000 among the whites 1.9 among colored,
and S4 in the entire population
Smallpox resulted fatally in one case.
The entire number of persons suffering from
this disease during the year was white, 20;
colored. 80; all, 80.
Comparative Statement.
Referring now to the figures which bear
upon the first six months of the current
year, your committee finds. it regrets to
say, an increase in the number of deaths
since last year. The number reported dur
ing the first six months of 1902 was 293S.
The number reported during the first six
months of 1903 was 3104 an increase Of GO.
This increase is made up to certain extent
by increase in the number of deaths
from pulmonary tuberculosis from 357 to
419 and in deaths from diarrheal diseases
among persons over two years of age from
IS to so. Strangely enough the deacrease in
the deaths from diarrheal diseases among
persons less than two years old which was
commented on when speaking Of mortality
returns with reference to the year 1902
compared with preceding years is even more
marked when comparing the first six
months OF 1903 with the first six
months of 1862 the total deaths from diar
rheal diseases in this class having been
during the first six months of 1903 but "a,
while during the corresponding period of
1902 they numbered 93.
Legislation Secured and to Be Secured.
1.-The committee on public health has been
quite active during the past year. and,
while it has accomplished much, yet there
are several matters outlined in the last an
nual report which the committee is still
actively al work upon. One of the most
important measures accomplished is the
PRONUNCIATION of the anticipating law. The
benefit of this law has been apparent to
every citizen who has watched the result.
The bill providing for the medical in
spection of schools which was strongly ad-
vocated by this committee, has become a
law and is now enforced The appropria-
ton for a suitable quarantine station advo-
Gated by this committee, was incorporated
In the appropriation bill for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1893, and the station has
been located by the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia upon the site now oc-
cupied by the old smallpox hospital
THE medical lectures in the public schools
conducted under the auspices of this COM
mfttee. have proved very satisfactory to all
concerned Nineteen lectures We're deliv-
cred
heard them that it is considered advisab
and eXpedient to extend them into some of
the private schools of the city. The board
of education of the District of Columbia has
requested that the course of lectures for the
coming year shall include at least six lee
lures upon the subject of physiology and
arrangements have accordingly been made
by your committee.
The movement to obtain public bath
houses land convenience stations is in a
fairly satisfactory condition and it is be-
lieved that your committee will be able to
show the necessity for legislation which
will enable US to procure these very neces-
sary buildings
The need Of better laws governing the
handling of milk in the District of Column
bia is apparent to all and your committee
on public health hopes to be able to bring
before the Board of Trade for it's consjdera-
ton a copy of bill which shall provide for
the handling and sale of milk of a greater
whoesomeness than that which is often
sold in the city at the present time.
Your committee calls attention to the
difficulty. 1t might say almost the impos-
sibility, of enforcing the abatement of
nuisances on property belonging to nom
residents or those whose residence can not
be ascertained. Persons living in the Dis
trict may be fined and imprisoned if they
do rot maintain in good sanitary condition
the property which they own. While the
same laws are. of course, applicable to per-
sons living outside of the District and to
persons whose addresses are unknown, yet