Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-11

tax money viii be available, board Of
ium viii be under construction. Table
No. 1 shows the deaths from tubercu
los Gall forms), tabulated by wards
and months.
The number Of deaths of seven most
important diseases: tuberculosis
(consumption), %; pneumonia, 20;
heart disease, 20; chronic nephritis
(Bright's disease). II; apoplexy, 10;
cancer. 10; typhoid fever, 9.
There were a total of 29S deaths
from all causes. This is an increase,
but is an apparent one only, and is
due to the better enforcement of the
burial act. as begun by my predeces-
sor, Dr. Ralph Dart. We are constant
ly making an effort to have every death
reported and fled for record, and the
local physicians and undertakers have
been urged to not neglect this impor-
tant duty. Our death rate is 12.1 per
1000, based on a population of 24,S00,
as estimated by the United States for
1910. This is very low rate, and
will compare favorably with other
cities of our size. The deaths from
tuberculosis (all forms) is 1.13, and
is very high.
OF births there we're ~ males and
SO females, a total of 131. This &C
counts for only those reported to the
health department, and is probably
only one-fourth of the actual number.
1t has been the custom for years for
coma Local r1bvcicianc opd D1idwivoc
to report their births to the county
direct, instead of allowing this city to
first make a record. An estimate of
our total number of births is about
524, which is normal.
FOrty-Six Cases of COntaSfon.
We had only 46 cases of contagious
diseases last year. Contagious dis
eases were: Scarlet fever, II; diph-
iberia, %; total, 46; with one death
from each disease.
This record is remarkably good, as
will be demonstrated on comparison
with the records of our sister cities.
So far as we have been able to learn
no new cases of contagious diseases
have ever been traced to infection from
the then existing cases, nor have any
new cases developed in the same
after our fumigation. This
all points to the thoroughness and eff
fciency Of our quarantine and fumiga-
ton.
In an effort to eradicate consump-
lion, fumigation was instituted of all
houses where deaths occurred, and on
The removal of consumptives from
house to house, wherever possible A
lard index system containing data re-
garding each consumptive was start
3D. With the cooperation Of the ply
'icians the living cases will be re-
ported and 4 record of them kept the |
coming year.
The city laboratory received much |
needed attention the last year. With |
he S125 allowed by the council a room |
IN the third floor in the city hall was |
and equipped. We are the /
My one of the tri-cities to realize the |
dvantage of such an important addi-
ion to the health department. Milk,
ream and ice cream were analysed at
egular monthly intervals. Number of |
ests made: Milk, 149; cream, 100;
&c cream, "a; total, 2S2.
Increase of Milk Consumption.
Milk is an ideal food if produced I'M
er sanitary conditions, and larger
Quantities of it are being consumed in
his city each year. Formerly it was
ooked upon as a food for the young
nd sick alone. Today its use is.more
eneral, so much so that at times the
upply is. not equal TO the demand.
therefore, whatever measures have
cen taken before, 1t is most impor-
ant now that we should increase our
igilance by permitting to be sold in
his city only milk that is handled
nd produced under the most sanitary
nd approved manner. At present we
xamine milk for butterfat, preserva-
ives, foreign matter, etc. This is not
nough. however. We should begin
ur examination at the dairy farms.
here is no question that some very
nsanitary conditions could be found.
o do this properly, more help and !
mds are needed. 1 urge that you con-
der the advisability Of adding to the /
ealth department a veterinarian who