The Washington times., 1905-05-16
PNEUMONIA CAUSE
Of BIG MORTALITY
Crowds Death Report Week
ly---Next to Consumption.
BASED ON POLICE CENSUS
High Water Max During Year 1903.
Statistics Show Progress of
Campaign.
BASED ON POLICE CENSUS

Pneumonia still holds its place as
death-Gealing disease ii the District Of
Columbia. While il does not rank with
pulmonary tuberculosis il this respect,
IL stu crowds the death reports from
week 10 week and forms u factor in
The health statistics such as no other
disease but the great white plague can
boast.
But The pneumonia season for 1905 is
practically eyer. In casting up the ac-
counts il is seen that the sudden and
unaceountable Increase in the preva-
lenee of pneumonia which marked the
seasons of 1903 and 1904 in Washington
has been checked.
The deaths by this disease touched
high-water mark during the year 1903.
when the death rate from pneumonia
was higher than i'll any year since 1897.
Last year its victims were more in
proportion to the population tnan IN any
other CT the past seven years except
1903
During the winter of 1906 the same
relative rank prevailed. The record up
to date this year. however, fails to
touch that of either 1903 or 1904.
Compared With Other Cities.
Washington's mortality tables differ
from those of the two largest American
cities. in that. in both Chicago and New
York. tuberculosis has proved less dan
gerous during the past three successive
years than pneumonia
In Washington pulmonary tuberculosis
has scored an average death rate per
1,0O0 fer the past ten years of 1858, and
pneumonia only l675. In the larger
cities, pneumonia, formerly credited
with 6 per cent or per cent Of the
total mortality, now claims Is per cent.
tuberculosis, howevers has not dimin-
ished in this new alignment of the
agents of death. On the other hand, II
still maintains a record of more than
10 per cent Of the total mortality. So
that the two diseases which formerly
scored together about II per cent now
score over IS per cent Of the total NOR
taiitg.
In this way pneumonia has earned its
title as the new captain OF the men OF
DEATH
The police censas just completed in
Washington affords q new base on
which TO figure death rates. As ex-
pected. the increase in population shown
by the enumeration greatly lowers the
Death rate OF the District, which has
been abnorually high because based on
a low estimate of the number or fnnahl-
tautS-
trouble 10 secure statistics, showing the
progress of the campaign against pneu-
monia in the District with gratifying
results.
Annual Death Rate.
Briefly. using the police census figures
OF 1881 and 1895 as the basis of the COM
putation,e tie average annual death rate
per LOCO. OF Inhabitants in the District
for the past eight years has been 16S4
The agera ge annual number OF deaths in
that time from pneumonia alone has
been 4S6.
There were $50 deaths from pneumonia
III 1868. making death rate OF LISO, and
556 in 1904, or u death rate of 1.T55. Dur
ing the former year the total deaths IN
the District numbered 5,S44. or a rate OF
10 eS for every .OSj OF the population.
Under the estimates which prevailed
previous 10 the last police census TINS
death rate was given at 20.l4 1t VIII
thus b.; seen that during that year pneu-
mora caused nearly one-tenth OF the
total deaths IN the District. The pneu-
In0llia record is apparently as large Tor
19O4 as TOR the year previous, but owing
TO the increase1 population its relative
showing is not as big.
Up TO the close of last month the pneu-
1fioTia record +or 1905 showed 3l1 deaths
onlv eaualed in the same length OF
time By tho years 1904 and 1897. In othes
words the pneumonia season for the
present year. which includes January,
February, March and April, resulted in
more deaths than in the same season OF
the year 1903, which set the highest
record next 70 that of 1897.
However. in proportion to the total
number OF deaths In these four months
the pneumonia record for 1895 is not as
large as that for 1864 or 1JG3. There were
. e8l deaths Il. the District during the
last feur months of which pneumonia
contributed 311 or 134 In the same sea
son. Of tho previous year the deaths from
all ealises Numbered 2.2S2. pneumonia
producing SO, or III In 1903 there were
2.l75 IRON all causes and 301 from pneu-
nlcnia, or a percentage Of .i3S
THE statistics therefore show that pneIi-
Inonia is holding its own, but they dc
rot warrant The conclusion reached By
many last year that il would continue
Ia increase Ia prevalence. The District
Health Department has always contend
cd that its observations nave not afford
ed afty basis for such Il conclusion.
The ratio between the death rates foi
the white and cclcred population has re-
rnnined about he same, in the neighbor-
hood Of / 70 e.93