The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-12-27
Reasons Assigned By Ia
STATE Board OF H3alsh for
tae Loss cf So Many
Inf3nts
SUICIDES CROW IN NURsER
STATE BIRTHS SHOW a GAIN
But IT IS SAID THE RECORDS
ARE VERY INAcCURATE-Lo-
CAL REGISTRARS AT FAULT.
Special to The Jersey city News.~]

Special to The Jersey City News.')
TRENTON. Dec. 81, 19o5.-The bold
ness and cupidity Of certain unscrupu-
lous milk dealers is assigned b. the
State Board of Health, in its annual re-
port to Governor Stokes as the probable
cause Of an increased mortality amo-g
infants in New Jersey during summer
that was comparatively cool and appar-
entity free from conditions that would
warrant any increase in the percentage
Of deaths among young children. Tie
board is of the belief that in spite or the
crusade against impure milk. which was
inaugurated some years ago, many mi (
dealers have reverted to their old tricks
and the use of injurious preservatives in
milk. The board has been active in the
investigation of ali such cases wh.ch
have been discovered. but reports that
the present law is so hedged about with
technicaiities that convictions are often
i impossible even where the evidence of
violations seems conclusive. It. there
fore, suggests that amendments be made
to the law.
The report of the State board includes
the reports of the departments of pure
food and vital statistics. The later is for
the calendar year of 1904, the other re.
ports being for the States fiscal year
closing on October 81, 1905. During tile
year 1904, the total number of deaths III
the State was IS, ,29S. The estimated
population of the State for that year was
2,UoS,9O9, making the death rase per
l,OO0 inhabitants, 17.14. These figures
exceed those which have been recorded
for the last seven years, and they are
found to be mainly due to the increased
mortality which has been caused by
dlarrhoeal diseases in children. In the
preceding year there were 81, $50 deaths,
a percentage of 1857 peg 1900 inhaDi
tants. The number of deaths due to sui
eide showsa slight but. steady increase,
exceeding the growth in population.
There We're $50 suicides IN 1904, as
against 314 in 1903; 271 in 1902 and 265
in 1901.
The figures in the report indicate that
leap year, Notwithstanding that it was
the first in eight years, was not q success
in New Jersey. Leap year was produe-
tive of only 1919 matrimonial matches
as against 1852 for 1908. This is a re-
duction in the percentage per LOCO in
habitants from 1895 to 1888. These re-
turns in year from which SO much was
to be hoped, are something of a disap-
pointment, especially in view of the fact
that the percentage of marriages in the
State had shown a steady increase dur
ing the six preceding years from 1893
to 1908. In the olden days, when Cupid
made a stamping ground of New Jersey
and the State was a reputed Gretna
Green for runaway matches, the per-
eentage of marriages reached as high us
23.3l This high water mark was reach
ed in 1885,
The births recorded in 1904 aggregated
3S,a51, as against 81, ,242 in the preceding
year. This increases the pelcentage
from 1S.4T to 1882. but the board again
calls attention to the fact that the rec
ords of births are not so complete rs
those of marriages and deaths. and taeFe-
fo"e no correoG relation can he eSt5b-
lished between the two. The beard se-
p4oies the condition which makes it seesn-
ingly impossible to secure complete alta
records, but SUCCESS mt,lns by wrash
the results may be materially improved.
On this snbiect the report SAYS:
"A Slight improvement has occurred IN
the proportion CT bi.ths reno. ttil dsF Ag
the year compared with Nthe nunlser re
ported du.iRg previous years. set Tie
same degree of accuracy Which h7l< Aeca
reacl ed in obtaining reper OF n.a r eei
ami deaths has not yet heen arceAsij +
ed hy the coHection pf ter'-aeai 2 OF
births: As stat.d lii preflDilS re9ors
the nriNcipal ressance IN \ew Jer ey Tor
sasi factory solution of this long an +
ing s.ificN ty is in the cAalge " ifh Is
at present gradually occurring IN h .psr-
soni.el Of the laca' officers VITO hvt
charEe oi the 60 lecti AMI transmits S n
of certihcateS of brit 5, mSr, arcs am
deaths, Doub' less ssytrsl wears VII
eiapSe before 4 ef the sanitary 'lisfr ;
of the State VIII te prev ded vi h a Ga =
fled Office, bat when t'at nat de ir2b e
change Shall be effected there WI mn