The Washington times., 1909-10-20
RECOMMENDS WAR
AGAINST TYPHOID
Board, After Three Years
Investigation, Makes
Report.
Continued from First Page)


eating that in this year some factor or
factors independent of the warm wealth
er operated 10 a relatively greater eX-
tent than in 1907 and 1sUS.
Geographical MISUNDERSTANDING the
three years there has been a general
and fairly inform distribution of cases
throughout the city.
Sanitary conditions-The ma iority of
the cases occur among persons who live
in houses of fairly good sanitary con-
dition. In 1907 and 1905 the proportion Of
cases among persons living under the
best sanitary conditions was much
smaller than in 1906.
No Special Grouping.
Sewage system-There is little differ
ence in the prevalence of the disease in
the severed and nOn-sewered districts
There has been no special grouping Of
cases now nor an excessive prevalence
OF the disease in the sections OF the
city.
''Flies-In a wen-sewered city, as
Washington now is, flies would not be
eXpecte@ 10 play much of a part; and
the lack OF correlation between the sea-
sonal curves Of fly abundance and that
OF typhoid fever seems to corroborate
this view.
-'Servants-The majority Of the cases
occur IN households without servants
There Is no evidence to support the sup
position that cay servants frequently
their employers.
Imported cases-With the decreased
prevalence Of the disease IN 1870 and
1893 the relative percentage of imported
cases have increased. but the actual
number has remained practically the
same during the three years.
Control Potent Factor.
"Contaet-Our studies show contact
is one of the major factors in the
spread Of the disease.
Bacillus carrIers-The results OF
the examination of about a thousand
healthy persons Indicates the typhoid
bacillus is more commonly distributed
among persons than the actual num-
Der of clintcally recognized cases of
the disease suggests.
.'Milk-About 10 per cent of the
actual cases in 1903, as in 1916 and
1907, were definitely attributSI - in
fected milk. In the 1908 outbreak
the milk was infected by bacillus
carrier. Our studies for the three
years i-dicate that if all the market
milk Of Washington was pasteuriZed
under official supervision tine amount
OF typhoid fever would be materially
decreased.
s'Shellfsh-It is now evident that
oysters and other shellhsh do not play
much part.
Water Is Sanitary.
Notwithstanding 10 the accepted bac-
teriOlOgic standards, the filtered Potomac
river water during the TYPHOID season Of
1867 and 1905 was of good sanitary quail
ity, and il does aot seem possible such
water could have been directly respOn-
sihle for much. if any, of the Infection.
There is not Yet sufficient evidence
however, for a positive conclusion 10 be
drawn as TO just what part Of the PO-
tomac river water has played in the
causation of the disease Ia previous
years.
The frst report OF the board on the
typhoid fever situation in Washington
was forwarded TO the Commissioners
in 1907. and another in 1913. As the re-
suit of the first report the Commls-
sioners appointed a commission OF eN-
perts. scientific and practical. 10 inVesI-
gate the prevalence Of typhoid fever IN
connection with the milk supply.
The recommendations Of this commits
sion were embodied in a bill providing
better means for regulating the milk
supply and charging the force and "a
cilities of the Health Department Con
gress did not pass the bill but did In
crease somewhat the Health Depart
ment force. and, according TO Commis-
sIoner Mcfarland. viii be asked Tor
further increase with "A view 10 the I'M
movement Of conditions.