Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06

spectfon. health department.)
The work Of the STRENGTHENING depart.
ment covers the sweeping OF the paved
roadways of the city by hand and by ma
chimes. the sprinkling. sweeping and
Of the unimprOved streets and
public alleys, the collection of garbage,
ashes. refuse. night soil. dead animals.
and ashes from buildings under the con-
troll of the District.
Death Rate Kept Down;
Health Office Activities
Six thousand two hundred and sixteen
deaths occurred during 19O9-1s.12 per
1.O0O per annum. substantially the same
rate as for 1905 viz. 1903. the lowest yet
recorded. There were 1922 deaths. or
rate of 1473. among the white. and 2,594
deaths. or a rate Of &c. 20. among the col
ored population.
Contagious Diseases.
An unusual prevalence Of communicable
diseases marked 1909. which. however, is
attributed to unknown causes, because
the same methods of quarantine as in
previous years when these diseases were
less prevalent were enforced.
Births and Infant Mortality.
Seven thousand and twenty-six births
were recorded in 19O9-a rate Of 20.J per
], Zoo per annum. computed on the basis
Of the entire population--4.806 births. OF
whites. rate of 1D5, and 9, 90 births Of
colored, a rate Of 229 OF white infants
born 500 died before 1 year OF age. a rate
Of 1O4, and among the colored infants $40
died, a rate Of 243. The general infantile
death rate computed on the basis of re-
ported births was 14S, the total deaths be-
ing 1,042.
Medical Inspection of Schools.
Nine thousand seven hundred and fifty
six visits to schools and IS visits to the
homes Of pupils were made by the Il
medical inspectors Of schools during 1909.
of pupils were made in
1885 instances to determine whether pu-
pills should be excluded from school or,
after periods Of exclusion. should be re-
admitted. One hundred and ffty-eight
candidates for admission to normal
schools were examined. and 375 children
were examined at the request of the
Of schools under the provi-
sions of the child-labor law.
The Commissioners have recommended
that there be appointed an inspector for
the sole purpose Of supervising this serv-
ice under direction of the health officer.
Public Crematorium.
Three hundred and sixteen bodies were
cremated during 1909. exclusive of the re-
mains Of $50 stillborn children. With Z
exceptions these bodies were those Of per-
sons who otherwise would have been in
TERED In potters field. and in these
cases the cremation was done at the re-
quest and expense of representatives of
the deceased.
Private Hospitals and Asylums.
Under the provisions of the act of April
20, 1908. regulating the establishment and
Of private hospitals and
asylums, the Commissioners issued dur
ing the year eight permits for such es-
and twenty-five applica-
tions were pending at the close of the
year.
Chemical Laboratory.
Seven thousand three hundred and nine
specimens were examined in the chemical
laboratory during the year. The greater
part Of these specimens, 6.4S1, were milk,
cream, skinned milk. and buttermik.
Four hundred and fourteen specimens of
Of butter. Fourteen speci-
mems were examined for the police de-
partment, two for the inspector of plumb
ing, one for the fire department, and one
for the coroner.
Food Inspection.
Bread.-An act relating to the adultora-
ton Of foods and drugs in the District
Of Columbia, approved February II. 1893.
provides that bread shall be regarded as
If 1t contains more than 81
per cent OF moisture. During the year, to
determine the amount OF water present.
samples were taken from
each of 1OS loaves. and it was found that
the percentage of water by weight ranged
from %. 70 to 3S.77.
Because of the impractfcability of de-
termining the percentage OF water in the
entire loaf by reason of lack of proper
apparatus and because of the vagueness
Of the term moisture" as used in the
statute, no prosecutions were brought. It
Is recommended that the law be amended
so as to prescribe definitely the maximum
amount Of water which bread may, with
out special notice being given to the pur-
chaser. lawfully contain.
1t is also recommended that legislation be
enacted defining the meaning OF the term
loaf" as related to bread, or that the
law require that all bread be sold by
weight, In view or decision OF the court
declaring invalid the ordinance which
fixed the standard of weight No honest
dealer could be injured by such legisla-
ton, and the public would be protected
from imrosition and fraud.
Meat.-Ten thousand five hundred and
thirty-six pounds of pork. 3.797 pounds
Of beef. 1878 pounds of mutton. 1913 pounds
Of veal, and varying quantities of other
forms of meat products and of game
y e-e condemned
The veterinary inspectors inspected
!, 1e2 animals intended for slaughter and
ordered condemnations Of q beef cattle
in whole or in part.
Thirty-four thousand four hundred and
Inspections were made of
grocery stores. confectionery establish
ments, bakeries, and markrts. and Of
huckster wagons and places Of business
to determine their sanitary condition.
One thousand Three hundred and sixty
eight visits were also made to the dairies
TO see that they were properly kept. One
thousand and ninety-one dairy farms,
II, IA cows, scattered over the
District Of Columbia, Maryland. Virginia,
New Jersey and New
York, supplied milk to the District, and
Of these farms 4,1S2 inspections were
made.
Sanitary Observation-Disclosures thou
,and one hundred and twenty-six inspec-
ions were made by the sanitary service,
,ot including observatisns made by the