Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-12
DISTRICT HAS THE MONEY
Alarming Increase of Disease
Arouses Commissioners.
DIR. WOODWARD BACKS PLAN
Idea Of Physicians of Uncle Sans
Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service.

In al effort to find the cause OF the
prevalence of typhoid fever in the National
Capital, archaeological laboratory will
soon be established in connection with
the contagious disease service OF the
health department.
This step was decided upon today, fol-
lowing a conference between Comrnis-
sioner Macfarland and Health Officer
Woodward. At its conclusion the Com
missioner approved a recommendation to
benefits Of the laboratory are expec.e ed
to be many.
The Investigations made by the public
health and marine hospital service at
the request of the Commissioners, upon
recommendation of Commissioner Mac
farland. have not yielded as yet the In
.orma ton desired as to the cause OF
typhoid fever, and the reasons for the
fact that there is still an undue prev
alence Of the fever in the District.
While the conditions are not so bad
in this respect, Mr.. Macfarland said to-
day. as In the summer Of 1906. when,
af er the health department had done Its
best with the facilities at its command
to ascertain the causes. the Commits
sioners turned to the public health and
marine hospital service as having a
larger staff and much better equipment
there has been an Increase this year
over last year in the number OF cases
reported and the number of deaths
recorded
How Fever Has Increased.
Health Officer Woodward reported to
Commissioner Macfarland that from jan
uary ] to August ., 1908, the total num-
| Der OF cases was 374, while during the
same period of 1900 the total number OF
cases was 1893, and the number of deaths
| recorded during the first six months of
| 1908 was ~, while during the first
six months of 1909, II was 45.
| He also states that no definite cause
| or the undue prevalence OF typhoid fever
| has yet been found, Notwithstanding that
the Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service has made exhaustive investiga-
| ton and is still continuing it.
Laboratory Is Needed.
| Several reports have been made by the
| Public Health and Marine Hospital Serv-
| ice to the Commissioners. One led 10 the
| appointment by the Commissioners of the
| milk commission and its thorough in
restigation and recommendations respect
| ing the milk supply. In the latest re-
port of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service the recommendation is
made that laboratory facilities be pro-
yided free of cost TO aid physicians in
the early diagnosis OF typhoid fever and
also to determine when persons who have
had the disease no longer menace the
public health by discharging typhoid ba-
Gill;
The Commissioners had already been
endeavoring to secure from Congress
complete meteorological laboratory for
general work. AS that has not been
given, the health officer now proposes that
under the contagious disease appropria-
ton facilities shall be provided for bac-
THEOLOGICAL investigation of typnoid fever
specifically and In the line Of rscom-
menoation OF the Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service. This Commits
sioner Mcfarland has approved.
Mystery Must Be Solved.
Mr.. Macfarland said today:
The mystery of the undue prevalence
Of typhoid fever in the District Of CO.
lulnbia must be cleared up. The Public
Health and Marine Hospital Service is
doing its best 10 that end, the health de-
partnent has been, Of course, doing
everything in its power, originally and in
cooperation with the Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service. and ROW. at the
suggestion of the latter service, tie health
department ought to have the facilities
for meteorological work in this matter.
to say nothing of having such for other
work which We should continue to ask Of
Congress-. What is now recommended
does not require specific authority from
Congress. but is covered by the con-
tagious diseases act.